groundhornbill
Jan, 2015Views
727
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Awards
Zenith Award
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Peer Award
Genius
Superior Skill
All Star
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leckie45
January 19, 2015
Hello there ... you are looking particularly handsome today ... An excellent capture Kevin ... Cheers Trish.
kvdh
December 10, 2015
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the comments and the PA's. These birds are highly endangered..... Makes the capture so much more special.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken in the Kruger National Park. This is typically how these endangered bird species act, curious and possibly appearing tame or undisturbed by humans.Time
This photo was taken around noon, I believe that these birds travel many kilometres on foot, looking for prey in the grass land. Sunny warm conditions will suit them as their prey are also active during these conditions.Lighting
Day time would be the only probable sightings with these birds as predators are too active after dark.Equipment
Hand held camera, entry level actually, Nikon D3200 with a Sigma 120-400 lens from my vehicle window.Inspiration
I was looking for big game, at which time this pair of Southern Ground Hornbills appeared out of nowhere. They happily walked towards my vehicle as if to inspect it. I have been birding for more than 18 years and therefore was pleasantly surprised by these extremely endangered birds that gracefully approached me. By the blue spots beneath the bill, one can tell that this is a female (discounting the eye lashes). These spots or decolouration do not appear in males.Editing
No.In my camera bag
I have a 3200D Nikon camera with a VR 18-55mm lens and Sigma 70-300mm and 120-400mm lenses (purely purchased for bird shots).Feedback
For any type of bird shots, patience is the answer. When it comes to ground dwellers, the result is in the wait. In game reserves, there are always bird hides situated near watering holes. My best results have been achieved by allocating a hide near a watering hole that has surrounding trees in abundance. Birds take flight and prefer undergrowth cover against predators.
