Ally Green
July 2025 - Resting
Original
About the Image(s)
On our afternoon game drive in the Serengeti we were focusing on spotting birds and the light was lovely for this shot. Unfortunately I do not recall what species of bird this was as there were
An abundance of birdlife enjoying the Serengeti. It was perched for a while taking a rest before flying off again. Shot with my Canon R5 100-400mm lens 1/500 F5.6 ISO400. In post I moved the sliders in LR and cropped in abit and removed a few grass stems. I attach the original also for reference.
11 comments posted
This little guy really posed for you. It looks like his body is wet and he is trying to get dry. I like how is neck, wing and tail feathers are splayed out as it adds a unique look. He has a beautiful red eye. I searched for your bird but no luck. I might suggest cropping a little tighter. As I look at the original image and the edited image they don't seem to be the same image although very close. In the original image there is out of focus vegetation in the background behind the birds head and the edited version has in my opinion too much empty gray sky above the bird. In the edited version I would suggest removing the twig on the right and probably the ones on the left just behind the bird. I hope you can ID this bird. Posted: 07/14/2025 02:00:06
Thanks Pamela and yes i think he was trying to dry himself. You are right i took 2 photos of the bird but they have exactly the same settings but the background is different so thank you for pointing this out. I will work on the other image with your suggestions and remove the twigs. Posted: 07/18/2025 22:47:57
Beautiful capture. The catch light in the eye really sets off the bird and helps to add definition to the bird as a whole. I have to agree that the bird does look wet and like it is trying to dry off. The original image has a more colored background above the head and you might consider using that image helping keep a colored background when cropping. I don't think the idea of a tighter crop doesn't work here because of the diagonal of the stick the bird is perched on. I would remove the blade of grass/shrub on the right side as it is a bit distracting. You might also want to try and give the white spot in the center of the birds chest a little more definition. Overall a nice image. Posted: 07/14/2025 15:20:40
Thanks Tom and yes the original was a different image (didn't realise!) as i took 2. Will work on the other one and see if i can add more definition to the bird's chest and clean up the blades of grass. Posted: 07/18/2025 22:50:02
Nice image. I like the wet look. I've photographed this species many years ago. It is a Burchell's coucal. Very pretty bird. I don't mind removing things and would remove all the little twigs sticking up from the bottom. But even with them there it's a wonderful image. I also agree that the original looks like a different image and has more room above the head. I'd consider using that one and cropping tighter as the blue sky doesn't add anything for me. Posted: 07/16/2025 23:10:40
Thanks for identifying the bird, Mike. As you know there are so many in the Serengeti that i should have written them down in order of my photographing them...next time! Yes the original image is different (didn't realise) so will work on that one for adjustments you recommended..thank you. Posted: 07/18/2025 22:54:37
I think this is a beutiful subject in beautiful light. The depth of field is perfect in my opinion giving you a distraction free background. I think that the others have made good suggstions so I will not repeat them. I would suggest removing at least the bit of vegitation sticking up above the branch to the left of the bird in your main image, and in front of it if you decide to go with the other shot. Well done, Ally. Posted: 07/19/2025 18:19:07
Thanks Sharon and hadn't thought about removing the left hand blade of grass so will do that. Posted: 07/23/2025 20:05:53
Wonderful image. The spectacular light brings out the warm colors of the bird, and the red eye and wet feathers add interest. I agree with tightening the crop to remove the blue sky. If you are not entering this image into Nature competition I would remove the sticks and foliage; for competition I would crop out the sharpest stick on the far right. Either way this image is wall-worthy. Posted: 07/23/2025 18:02:37
Thanks Judith, appreciate your comments & suggestions. Posted: 07/23/2025 20:06:34
It looks like your coucal was taking a bath. I find this color palette very pleasing. I agree with others that you might crop in the top and the right side. Removing the twig on the right and the one leaning in front the bottom towards the tail feathers will remove a distraction. Very nice image. Posted: 07/25/2025 18:54:08