Curassow
Jun, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Belize where I was volunteering. Although mainly working with manatees and primates for release, the centre also provide sanctuary for animals that could not go back to the wild. That is the story of this magnificent male Great currasow that got to familiar to humans, and don't have many chances of surviving on his own. One day the currasow got out of his enclosure and hang out at the jungle vegetation surrounding it, giving me the chance to photograph him in better conditions.Time
I took this photo in the late morning, between my duties with the monkeys, as the currasow took a stroll out in the trees. I didn't have much time to spare, so I run to get my camera, took a few shots behind a bush, and went back to work.Lighting
The harsh caribbean sun is not always photo friendly. But in the shades of the jungle it's a bit easier to work properly- less shadows, the dynamic range is a little more balanced, can got both the darks and the whites with some details. Not to mention the friendly background and general surrounding that gives a natural look to the frame.Equipment
My good ol' Canon 6D with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens. Because this shot was not planned or taken when I was in a photographic state of mind, it's also been handheld.Inspiration
I find the Great currasow a very unique funky looking bird, and as he got out and gave me a better photographic opportunity I just tried to got this uniqueness into a frame in the short time I had. Too bad I could not capture his weird calls in this photo.Editing
I did very usual post-processing on Lightroom- colour adjustments, contrast, minor cropping and sharpening.In my camera bag
Canon 6D that 90% of the time attached to a Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM IS ii, 1.4 Canon extender, tripod, and 50mm/28mm lenses for the odd occasion.Feedback
Although this is not a "real" wildlife photography, I believe that the my usual guidelines of that field still applies- be respectful for your subject, try to minimise your presence in the field, relaxed animals make the best models, wild or not.
