Bradfield's Hornbill

Gallery: AvianPosted September 30, 2011157 views21 comments

This was taken in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe,5th September 2011.

EOS 1D MkIV

500mm F4 IS hand-held from open game viewing vehicle

F7.1, ISO 400, 1/2500

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 30, 2011 at 11:57 PM

Great pose of this beautiful bird, with the spread wings. Nice colours and BG.
Seems just a little awkward to me, since the bird is not level, and leveling it might make the vertical twigs look odd.
It is what it is!
Nice image!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 1, 2011 at 2:16 AM

Brilliant shot Ken! Made several attempts myself at capturing Hornbills in flight like this while I was over in SA, though relatively large as they are, they're the devil to catch for the low flight path and angle they usually come in at and so swiftly too, which make me appreciate this capture of yours all the more!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 1, 2011 at 5:14 AM

Wow, amazing species and great in-flight shot! I am not sure about the tree below the bird, it looks a little out of place.. But it was there

All in all a brilliant shot ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on October 1, 2011 at 6:43 AM

Typical hornbill flight, do you have any idea what it is carrying in its beak? Nicely captured - flying hornbills are not easy subjects.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 1, 2011 at 8:53 AM

I like this very much as you've presented it Ken - no complaints. And the twigs are sharp and placed perfectly between the wings - f/7.1 served you very well here.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on October 1, 2011 at 9:24 AM

Timing doesn't get any better than this. Really nice down wing position with the twigs providing a base for the image. Very nice.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on October 1, 2011 at 9:26 AM

Very impressive image. I like the detail you captured of the hornbill in flight!! The expressive eyes help to make this a stand out photo. Also, like the way the BG is OOF. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 1, 2011 at 9:43 AM

Outstanding image Ken, very sharp & great DOF.
I especially like the forward swept wing pose and your POV..
Exposure, color, and comp looks fine to me.
Very well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on October 1, 2011 at 10:38 AM

Great flight shot- Wonderful bird, excellent warm palette and an awesome background on this one- My congrats, Fabio

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on October 1, 2011 at 2:26 PM

Excellent! No nits from me!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 1, 2011 at 3:33 PM

Wow, what a bird. Very interesting species for sure. Great flight postion and sharpness. BG is great too. Very well done Ken.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 1, 2011 at 10:46 PM

Thanks to everybody for your kind comments,

The shrub was where it took off from.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 2, 2011 at 11:59 AM

A very fierce looking bird for what looks like very tiny prey (I think that's what's in the beak). Excellent detail and beautiful light, Ken.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 2, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Intense stare from this bird with a really nice wing/tail spread. Good job.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 3, 2011 at 12:19 AM

Dennis and Luke,

Thanks for your comments, there is indeed a tiny insect in its mouth but I can not really see what it is at any magnification

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 3, 2011 at 1:16 AM

Great flight shot Ken, love the color palette and the small prey too.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 3, 2011 at 3:47 PM

Excellent capture Ken.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 3, 2011 at 11:53 PM

Nate and May,

Thanks for your comments

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 4, 2011 at 2:50 AM

Great shot Ken. Really pleased to see that Hwange is still operational. After all the chaos we wondered whether it had fallen into disrepair or worse.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 4, 2011 at 3:00 AM

Rob,

Hwange is very much alive, we have been every year for the past 5 years, it is marvelous. The shop and bar is open at Main camp and there is even a restaurant, plus there is now petrol at the garage!

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on October 5, 2011 at 4:10 AM

Super image with good wing position, and well done getting the bird heading your way. I like the overall earth tones too.

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