Gerhard Geldenhuys

February 2025 - African Jacana Foraging

About the Image(s)

The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a wader in the family Jacanidae. It has long toes and long claws that enables it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, its preferred habitat. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. For the origin and pronunciation of the name, see Jacanidae.

Nikon D500 at 800mm f5.6 1/2500sec cetre weighted metering.
Kind regards

5 comments posted

Dr Isaac Vaisman

Gerhard, interesting bird. It looks like the purple gallinulas that we have here in the US but with different feathers color. Image is sharp. With the equipment you used, it was shot at 1200 mm. Nice ripples in the water. Posted: 02/07/2025 18:05:43

Gloria Grandolini

Gerhard, very sharp image. Such interesting combination of colors, I love the blue in the face. I also like that you got a crisp shot of the paw. Posted: 02/09/2025 22:58:51

Sarita Yeola

Wow this is a beautiful photograph of a such a colorful bird. you have captured its environment and its colors so well.
I have seen a Bronzed-winged Jacana in India but was not able to get a good photograph. It is interesting to see the differences in the two species. Thank you for sharing! Posted: 02/21/2025 17:12:46

Jerry Baumann

Gerhard, between the luminance and color of the bird, it perfectly separates it from the environment. And the softness of the background combined with the sharpness of the ripples in the foreground really works. Excellent. Posted: 02/22/2025 03:11:22

Grace Cohen

Bernard - you've nailed this bird - sharp detail with enough background to tell the story but still set it apart. I agree this bird is similar-looking to a the US Purple Gallinule I've shot in southwest Florida. If not submitting to a PSA Nature category, I might suggest removing the dark area in the water below its bill to make the bird stand out more. But that edit would not be legal in a Nature submission. Posted: 02/22/2025 05:08:58

PID Digital Dialogue

Group 15