I'm surrounded by Egrets

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 11, 2012136 views5 comments

I chose the title because it sounds like Scar's line from "The Lion King": I'm surrounded by idiots

This elephant was munching on the water hyacinth plants in one of the pools of Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. The Cattle Egrets (there were other egret/heron species around out-of-frame as well) were waiting for insects to be chased up by the elephant's feeding behaviour.

We were crouching down next to the pool.

Techs:
Nikon D7000 with Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II @ 200mm
f5.6 @ 1/320 SS @ ISO-220

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 11, 2012 at 11:54 PM

Excellent capture and interesting behavior that we do not normally see photographed. I like the even but random arrangement of the egrets. The only nit, beyond your control, would be that the "horizon" of greenery of the pool intersects the top-line of his head, but that is really quite a minor item.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on October 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM

I ditto Lon (the good and the bad

). And I would like to add that the shot feels a bit underexposed to me.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on October 12, 2012 at 11:20 AM

Great to se this kind of behavior shot, with the elephant and birds relaxed and comfortable. Very nice composition with all the elements.

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 12, 2012 at 3:48 PM

Looks very good to me Morkel, a neat view of this youngster with all those birds around him.

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

Comment posted by Cam Held on October 13, 2012 at 3:02 PM

Hey Morkel,
I agree with the others on all the positives. The horizontal band, while not ideal, doesn't bother me either. As far as underexposure, it looks good to me, but then again I'm starting to think my Mac is too bright as I'm always getting the underexposed comments on my own photos when they look fine to me... So don't take my word for it!
Awesome shot!

-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments