Roller at Sunrise

Canon EOS 7D, EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x Extender MK III @ 700mm, Manual: f/8 (1/400 sec), 0 EV, ISO 400, Tripod, JPEG from RAW, Cropped About 50% from Full Frame

Having posted up several photos of Indian Rollers here in the past, those that saw them and read the accompanying words may recall that Rollers are one of my top favourite five bird species. Back in 2006, while on a family safari in Kenya, I was lucky enough to see - and even photograph - for the first time a Lilac-Breasted Roller. Ever since I've been hoping for any opportunity to photograph them again in all their splendour, so they were high on the hopeful sighting list on my recent trip to South Africa.

Although I didn't have nearly the number of encounters with this beautiful bird as I've hoped for, I'm extremely thankful for the few that I did. The one you see here we came across at 6:32 am just as the sun was rising – which provided wonderful lighting – and was puffing itself up no doubt in an attempt to keep out the chill of a cold South African morning.

Critique and comments always welcome.