Joining the feast

I'm just starting to process the images after returning from taking a group to Bulgaria a couple of weeks ago. Amongst the key focuses of the trip was spending some time with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds and their vulture feeding/re-introduction programme. Although not the prettiest birds they have been decimated over recent decades due to misunderstanding of their role in the food chain. Fortunately this is starting to change, and with these Griffon vultures, Egyptian and Black all breeding/feeding in this remote corner of the country (and continent) then amazing sites such as this feeding frenzy will hopefully continue to be witnessed.

I've never heard such noise and pandemonium as when the group finally decide to "go for it" after hours of patient watching and waiting to be sure the coast is clear (bit like the photographer in the freezing cold hide too!), and the bones were clean within 10 or so minutes.

Canon 1DS Mk2
500mm + 1.4x
1/500 f5.6 ISO 200

Hi Mark,

Intial thoughts this was Africa!!! Well done for getting involved in such a great project and it looks like it is making a change.

The image is nice and shows off well how these birds feed, fascinating birds!!

Thanks for sharing

Regards

Rob

Great opportunity and a lovely photograph.

To me Mark, it looks as if it could do with a contrast boost or "curves" tweak - what do you think

HI Barrie,

I know what you mean - there had been about 4 hours of freezing fog/low cloud which was just in the process of finally clearing when this action occurred so the light was a touch on the misty side: hence the very subdued tones, paticularly in the b/g. I have done the tweaking you suggested already - too much more and it started to look a bit ott and oversaturated to me.

Mark

Hi Mark
A well captured moment. Sounds like a worthy project on a subject with (in the eyes of many) low 'sex-appeal'.
I'd echo Barrie's call re contrast and note the wing clip on the left - minor nits though.

Cheers,
Chris

Hi Chris,
Wondered if someone might comment on the wing clip - it is actually about 5 pixels in from the edge of the frame (beyou can be sure I checked this!!) on a full sized image, but comressed this small it just disappears into the edge I'm afraid.
Still not sure about the contrast though

Mark

Contrast look fine to me but I too find it a bit tight. Great shot of an interesting and under-represented (in Europe) subject.

Cheers

Terry

A great sight Mark, also thought it looked a little flat initially but I was thinking of an African location - the European site and mist explains it. Good to see

Love everything about it and the bird on top of the ring of birds feeding makes the image. I don't normally like birds tight in the frame but in this instance I think it works fine!

David

I agree with david. I think the comp is really good with that bird floating above the huddle and the fg one looking across the shot. The subdued tones look very natural to me.
Eric

Hi Mark,

Good picture I think. Th colours looks good to me. It just as it is.

Hi Mark,

I missed this - the pics really pile up when you're away from a computer for a couple of days! Not too bothered about the clipped wing as its quite a tight shot anyway.Really good shot

Fantastic, man I love this shot what a scene and in Europe as well, hats off to you for going to a different destination and coming back with some cracking results.

Danny