Common Hoopoe

Gallery: AvianPosted November 27, 20171,344 views8 comments

While sitting in a hide in Thailand and hoping for a White-breasted Waterhen to make an appearance, this Common Hoopoe landed right in front of me and offered this nice raised crest portrait. Unfortuately, the one blade of grass bisected the bird's breast and lower neck- but really not much one could do about that.

Wonderful trip Nate-looking forward to my next visit!

Baan Maka Nature Lodge, Kaeng Krachan, Thailand

D500
Nikkor 500mm f/4
1/500s @ f/5.6
ISO 1800
Manual Ex
Gitzo, Wimberley II
Shot from a hide

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 27, 2017 at 12:26 PM

Really spectacular to catch this guy with his crest up! - I couldn't manage in Africa. That blade of grass could easily be cloned out.
Also, you might consider a close head crop - the crest is the best part and could be show-cased.
Fine work!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 27, 2017 at 1:53 PM

Gorgeous, Chuck. It's amazing what birds got labeled "common". The excellent detail in the bird helps separate it nicely from the bg and the stray blade of grass doesn't bother me.

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on November 27, 2017 at 7:13 PM

Love the low angle and raised crest. The blade of grass is a minor distraction. Pretty sure removing it is well beyond my feeble cloning skills.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on November 28, 2017 at 3:29 AM

Excellent clarity and color in this shot, Charles. That's some pretty striking plumage and the last thing I would think of when viewing this bird is the work "common"! I am not at all bothered by the blade of grass and I personally wouldn't take the time and effort to clone it out. Plus, any mistakes or irregularities in the cloning could end up being more distracting than the grass.

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on November 28, 2017 at 3:46 AM

Charles,
A truly fabulous shot, like Sandy I have never got a crest up shot in Africa.
The grass is not of any significance for me, I would leave it

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 28, 2017 at 7:33 AM

What an awesome bird to see and photograph Chuck!

Love that flared out crest. I like this presentation with a good view of its habitat. Although, I would be tempted to clone out the grass also.

Sweet One laugh

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 28, 2017 at 11:48 AM

Neat species. Very intimate view. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 28, 2017 at 12:07 PM

Just be thankful you got the fully-extended crest (which looks great against the green background). I can't ever get these guys to display like this. enlightened

Max

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