Vulture Portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted January 9, 2011128 views15 comments

I'm always amazed at how differently the same species can act between two different locations. Pretty common around here in the summer, but I can't get close to Turkey Vultures. This was at Point Reyes National Seashore, where I could get quite close to them. It was kind of gross though why they were there. This was when the cows in the area were calving, and the vultures were, uh, cleaning up after.

Lovely creatures, but hey, they perform a function!!!

Canon 20D, 400 5.6L, ISO 400, 1/320, f7.1

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on January 9, 2011 at 4:02 PM

Nice portrait shot. Great detail in the feathers and the head but maybe the eye seems a bit soft to me? Great background to really focus on the bird, I never realized they had that "hole" in their beak or the tuft of feathers near the eye. Very cool

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 9, 2011 at 4:15 PM

Very dynamic portrait Terry! I agree with Hali about it being a bit soft. Still a strong image.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 9, 2011 at 4:41 PM

Terry - great portrait! Nice detail and perfect exposure.
Does seem just a bit soft..
PS: I'm using your OWLS screensaver, and love it - thanks - everyone who sees it comments..

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on January 9, 2011 at 4:51 PM

Great looking portrait. That red head really stands out.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 9, 2011 at 5:56 PM

Great detail and comp Terry - love the background

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 9, 2011 at 7:17 PM

Love the intimate look here Terry. I never knew about the feather tuft in front of the eyes either. Perfect head turn. I'm wondering of your POF was on the eye...

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on January 9, 2011 at 9:14 PM

Hey - let nothing go to waste - I'm just glad I don't have to clean it up! I like your clarity here and the lighting is perfect. You don't often get a good picture of vultures and this shows off the two toned nature of their feathers. That little fuzzy green spot on the ls is a little distracting, but a very minor nit.

Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 9, 2011 at 10:16 PM

really a nice looking portrait, Terry. The combination of pose and comp here is really very strong. I think perhaps the very fine feathers on the head are creating the illusion of softness? I think it's fine, but maybe a second round of sharpening on the head would help? I like this a lot.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 10, 2011 at 4:07 AM

Very cool portrait, Terry ! I like it very much !
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 10, 2011 at 12:00 PM

Lovely indeed, interesting to see how much variety in bird species, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 10, 2011 at 8:18 PM

Fine portrait, Terry. You are so close to having a sharp image. I agree with others: have a try at more sharpening. It would be worth it for such an excellent close-up.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 10, 2011 at 9:10 PM

Wonderful portrait!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 10, 2011 at 9:11 PM

Nice portrait and head-turn, excellnt detail.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on January 11, 2011 at 8:47 AM

Terry,

Turkey vultures are some of the most disgusting birds on the planet but they do serve a purpose. I watched one stick its head through the eye of a dead cow and eat it from the inside out.......Great detail in the eye and feathers.

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on January 11, 2011 at 10:41 AM

Beautiful portrait - perfect exposure of the dark feathers, nice details and BG- well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments