Red-Billed Oxpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted November 8, 2016219 views8 comments

During my group photo tour in South Africa earlier this year, we stopped for a herd of buffalo near the road. It wasn't the buffalo themselves that were interesting, rather the oxpeckers fluttering all over their heads and faces. Despite the somewhat harsh late morning light, I was able to get a few shots with the birds angled properly so that their colorful faces were lit up.

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 600mm f/4 IS
ISO 400
1/1000th
f/4.5

Max

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on November 8, 2016 at 4:02 PM

Wow, that looks painful for the buffalo! But a very cool shot with lots of good detail in both critters, especially the whiskers on the buffalo. The bird's color also adds a lot and seems to be watching you before he takes a peck!

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on November 8, 2016 at 7:31 PM

I think the light actually looks okay on this image. You've done a good job of moderating the harshness of the light that was the case. Good color. You certainly have nice detail especially in the eye and beak. I suppose I'd have to go to the Woodland Park zoo to find a perch like that.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on November 8, 2016 at 9:16 PM

A double-take capture and composition, Max. Nice management of harsh light.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 8, 2016 at 9:20 PM

Excellent dof, Max, and it really makes this image for me. It wouldn't have near the impact without the nose of the buffalo being so crisp. I'm kind of surprised you got it at f/4.5.

devil

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

Comment posted by Hussain Nalwala on November 9, 2016 at 9:06 AM

I think it is a very well composed shot Max. Simple but beautiful.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 298 Posts, 339 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 10, 2016 at 4:50 AM

Classic Max

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 10, 2016 at 9:11 AM

Thanks, everyone!

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on December 21, 2016 at 10:17 PM

Very cool shot. I love how you can only see the nose of the buffalo. Excellent composition.

lucy

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments