Whilst photographing the endangered Egyptian Vultures in Bulgaria a couple of weeks back I was also lucky enough to enjoy a morning re-acquainting myself with the equally challenged Griffon Vulture.
this adult treated me to a couple of hours of preening, wing stretching and some fantastic looks as she enjoyed the first few hours of the days light before gliding off to spend the day soaring far above.
Loads of personality in these big cumbersome birds I think.
Nice sharp and detailed Mark... would perhaps like a bit more space below to give the bird something more substantial to be stood upon.... great light too, must have been a great experience.
Great picture and great birds they are too.
I agree a little more on the bottom would be good or off the top but it would spoil the backdrop. Full frame ?
Cheers
John
Cracking pose by the vulture and I like your treatment with the comp I would have done the same I think because to me the background is just as important. I am going in November thats for sure.
Not sure whether a slightly smaller aperture will give more depth to the image ie. seeing a bit more of the bg. As is looks vague at 6.3 (to me), and would therefore prefer to see a bit more of the perch itself. In my humble opinion it'd give the shot a bit more balance. Still a wonderful capture.
The only nit from me would be that mentioned previously Mark - it's just a tad tight at the bottom; imagine it with a 3mm edge bleed taken off at A4 - the bird would be nearly standing on the bottom page edge
It's a stunning shot with fantastic light and a superb BG - I just love it, and if ever there was a shot that would encourage me to go after Griffons then this is it
Thanks for the comments - it certainly was yet another enjoyable experience I've been lucky to share with these birds in their environment.
As for the comp/background observations - when you are lucky enough to have a stunning bird in beautiful light posing, wing stretching and preening for a good amount of time you can be sure i've shots that cover them all - I just love the pose, facial expression and punky hairdo of this one!!
Discussion
16 repliesthis adult treated me to a couple of hours of preening, wing stretching and some fantastic looks as she enjoyed the first few hours of the days light before gliding off to spend the day soaring far above.
Loads of personality in these big cumbersome birds I think.
40D
500mm + 1.4x
ISO 200
f6.3 1/320
Can't help thinking of the characters from Dumbo whenever I see an image like this
Lucky to photograph a bird like this!
Phil.
I agree a little more on the bottom would be good or off the top but it would spoil the backdrop. Full frame ?
Cheers
John
Well done Mark.
Edwin Kats
Lovely light bringing out great detail in the feathers.
nice.
Cracking pose by the vulture and I like your treatment with the comp I would have done the same I think because to me the background is just as important. I am going in November thats for sure.
Danny
Top shot Mark, great looking bird
Andy...
It's a stunning shot with fantastic light and a superb BG - I just love it, and if ever there was a shot that would encourage me to go after Griffons then this is it
Very very nice image Mark - top job
As for the comp/background observations - when you are lucky enough to have a stunning bird in beautiful light posing, wing stretching and preening for a good amount of time you can be sure i've shots that cover them all - I just love the pose, facial expression and punky hairdo of this one!!
Mark
Brett