Gerhard Geldenhuys

July 2025 - A Tug for More

About the Image(s)

This month is an action packed image of a Marabou stork having a tug with White-backed vultures cleaning up carrion.

This image was taken in the wild with solid camera support equipment from my vehicle. Nikon D800 400 mm f2.8 Nikkor lens and a 2x dedicated converter. Settings f5.6 800mm ISO1000 Aperture priority 1/3200sec and matrix metering.

Marabou storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with a long, bare throat sac. Approximately with matrix metering a 150 cm (59 in.) Up to 9 kg (20 lbs.) Their diet consists predominantly of carrion, fish, termites, locusts, frogs, lizards, baby crocodiles

Overview
The white-backed vulture is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the most common vulture species in the continent of Africa.

8 comments posted

Doug Fischer

Good image of competition between species. It is a little difficult to separate the vultures tugging from all the other vultures. Unfortunately it appears the tugging vultures are hidden behind another vulture so that we only see a portion of them. The stork is excellent getting it stretched out and obviously struggling for its claim. A good documentary shot of their struggle. The technical aspects of composition and focus good but maybe I would like to have seen just a little more water and a little more background above the storks wings .. not much but a bit more. Posted: 07/03/2025 17:59:11

Dr Isaac Vaisman

Gerhard, very interesting image, but too busy. The presence of so many vultures competes with the stork. The image is sharp and the colors are well balanced. I agree with Dough about a little more space above the stork wings, and more water for reflection. Using the magic of Photoshop generate feature and cropping some of the vultures behind the stork, this is my rendition. Posted: 07/05/2025 16:16:16

Gerhard Geldenhuys

Many thanks Doug and Isaac, appreciate the suggestions. Posted: 07/13/2025 08:19:32

Sarita Yeola

A very apt title for the image. Agree with Doug and Isaac's suggestion. I do like Isaac's rendition, it brings the focus on the stork. Posted: 07/14/2025 14:46:44

Gerhard Geldenhuys

Whilst I agree with it being a busy image and the distracting birds , it must be kept in mind that as a rule of nature/wildlife photogtaphy, one is not to alter anything to alter the scene captured. I am still in the discipline of not altering a scene as captured. Thank you for your suggestions which are always appreciated. Posted: 07/17/2025 14:13:45

Gloria Grandolini

Gerhard, very dynamic image - lots going on. I really like the contrast of the beautiful and colorful stork and the brown angry looking vultures. I guess we can go either way in terms of whether it is too busy or a representation of wildlife as it happens. Either way very interesting and good image. Thanks for sharing it. Posted: 07/21/2025 00:16:29

Grace Cohen

What a fascinating and exciting interplay between these two species, Gerhard - Nice capture! While I agree with Doug and Isaac's suggestions tightening the story, I appreciate the need to present nature images as they occur. Here you've told the whole story where the white-backed vultures are coming at the Marabou from three sides. Viewing your image on both of my on my screens - with the Marabou in stronger light and the darkest mud on both outside edges - gives the suggestion of a slight vignette on the vultures. Posted: 07/22/2025 21:53:57

Jerry Baumann

An interesting shot, but way too much going on to take in at once. There's possibly a couple shots - composed by cropping. Posted: 07/29/2025 03:16:04

PID Digital Dialogue

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