Ruaha Red Billed Hornbil

Gallery: AvianPosted March 10, 2014108 views12 comments

I have seen these before, but I am now told they have been recognised as a sub-species, as a result of the dark patch around the eye.Taken in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
EOS 1DX
200-400 mm F4 with 1.4 ex at 533mm
F6.3
ISO 800
1/500

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 10, 2014 at 11:55 AM

Looks very good as posted. Nice sharpness; good exposure with soft light. Good pose.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 10, 2014 at 11:55 AM

Interesting capture. The techs look good as does the detail. I am seeing a very slight halo along the lower bill. It could just be my monitor, but may be worth a second look. This eye patch and bill coloring make this fellow look very grumpy, or maybe it was just the weather

Well done.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 10, 2014 at 12:20 PM

Wonderful feather detail and I like the 'attitude' look the hornbil seems to be giving. Excellent shot Ken, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Marina Scarr on March 10, 2014 at 12:37 PM

Super image and pose with fine details, Ken. Love the composition and the wispy vegetation which adds a lot of interest.

Registered on March 6, 2014, 11 Posts, 104 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 10, 2014 at 1:00 PM

Amazing species, well photographed ! Grtz, Hans

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 10, 2014 at 5:22 PM

He looks like you owe him money, Ken. Excellent detail and I like your composition a lot.

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

Comment posted by Rebecka on March 10, 2014 at 6:05 PM

What a wonderful image. The species is so interesting, as I'm sure most of us haven't seen a RRBH in person. He gave you a perfect head-turn, so we can appreciate the full magnificence of his beak! Love the soft, muted, almost pastel colors of the BG and foliage. I agree with Marina that the vegetation adds interest, although the bird is so amazing that the image would stand on its own without it. It looks like the bird just hit the watering hole? The wet feathers I think I am seeing on his breast, and maybe a couple water droplets on his beak, also add interest. I would die of happiness if I had this image in my portfolio!

Great work.

Oh, and Dennis, the "you owe him money comment" - laughed out loud. He does indeed have a sour expression, doesn't he?

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 11, 2014 at 12:48 AM

Thanks everybody for your comments, much appreciated.
I think he was a littlle grumpy with the weather a little rain

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 11, 2014 at 9:05 PM

Very cool looking bird Ken and well presented. You handled the brighter sky in the BG very nicely with good exposure on the bird.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 13, 2014 at 7:00 AM

Nice one Ken

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 13, 2014 at 1:36 PM

Cool bird, great capture.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 14, 2014 at 4:02 AM

Great shot of this ornery looking fellow Ken

I like the vegetation also, the dual toned background is perfect.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments