Canon 1DX ??“ Canon 100-400@400mm ??“ ISO 10,000 ??“ f6.3 ??“ 1/2500th second Tv
I’ve never been a fan of photographing a bird on a stick, but I really thought this image caught a particularly ‘expressive moment,’ i.e., mouth open, head angled, nice directional light and the stormy backdrop that I thought made the image pop. .
Marabou storks are huge, sometimes 5 feet tall, and are among the largest flying birds on the planet, with wingspans of 10 feet or more. The dark cloak-like wings when folded makes it appear as if they’re wearing a black overcoat earning them the nickname “The Undertaker Bird.”
They are primarily scavengers, but they are opportunistic and addition to carrion, they go for scraps at dumps, in the big cities like Nairobi, fish, small mammals and young birds. And despite their ungainly appearance, they soar beautifully on thermals like vultures.
I find this bird absolutely beautiful in its own “ugly” way. :-)
7 comments posted
Peter Hornbostel
Butch, I'm with you! This bird is pretty! Everything in nature does have a reason why it looks in this way. And nature is beauty!
You caught the bird sharp and in a good light, the back ground is perfect. Let me guess: you changed it? That would not be a flaw!
Fine work, Butch! Posted: 12/06/2025 08:21:30
Butch Mazzuca
Thanks for your kind words Peter - I too thought the background was perfect, and no, I did not change a thing - that was the actual sky that day, nature provided this backdrop, not PS or LR - sometimes nature is very generous :-)
PS - I did isolate the subject in LR and increased the exposure on the subject. Posted: 12/06/2025 18:05:41
Dr Ernoe Barsi
The colors of the bird are fantastic, despite the gloomy dark weather. Also you did a good job with selectively correcting the exposure on the bird. It creates a great contrast between the subject and the gray sky. The only thing I dislike is the lack of space above the head of the bird.( This is my personal opinion) Posted: 12/07/2025 10:06:16
Roy Lockwood
Great shot Butch. I think your crop is great. I also think you could make a second photograph of just the head and neck. Some possible minor suggestions, slightly reduce the highlights on the upper bill, the neck and legs. Remove a little of the tree on the lower right. How about a little clouds and lightning strike in the background! Posted: 12/07/2025 22:08:36
Butch Mazzuca
Thanks for the suggestions Roy, much appreciated. That said, head shots bore me to tears and will usually only use them when the body isn't up to competition standards, but hey, we all don't like blue suits, so good on ya. As far as lightning bolts, here's my philosophy on nature shots - I crop and adjust to direct attention, not to "improve reality." I remove distractions, strengthen gesture, enhance tonal flow, and highlight the subject's natural presence. My approach isn't bound to PSA compositional rules; it's driven by the principle that the most meaningful part of the scene deserves the clearest expression. My goal is simple: to reveal the best of what nature offered in that moment Posted: 12/10/2025 20:12:28
Roy Lockwood
Obviously the "lighting bolt" was made in jest! I agree in your principle of bringing to light what we see as the most meaningul part of our subjects. I always enjoy and admire your perspective in photography as well as all our other contributors. Posted: 12/13/2025 14:10:45
Deborah Albert
Lovely portrait. It truly emphasizes the importance of the light. You undoubtedly did justice to what I consider a very ugly bird. Posted: 12/17/2025 00:43:35
