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Profile of a Secretary Bird
I first came into contact with these strange birds when I was training to be a pilot with the RAF in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The airfield played host ...
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I first came into contact with these strange birds when I was training to be a pilot with the RAF in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The airfield played host to scores of them and they often became a hazard to us on taking off and landing so the Rhodesian army had to drive them out but they always came back. They are quite large birds averaging about 4 feet tall but they have very long legs which they use very effectively to kill their prey, especially snakes which they keep stamping on until they kill them. We always thought of them as chickens on stilts. This shot was taken some time ago in San Diego Zoo.
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Nov, 2018Views
372
Likes
Awards
Winner in Birds Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Top 20 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I am not a professional photographer, more an enthusiastic amateur, who loves landscapes and wildlife photography. I visit many zoos, wildlife parks and animal rescue centres in my quest for subjects to capture.Time
This was a shot I took before I joined Viewbug on a holiday in California. It was early evening with a nice glow from the sun and after several attempts I managed to get this shot as the bird was strutting about and looking at the spectators in San Diego Zoo.Lighting
I was lucky as the sun was low and not so bright but sufficient to light up this iconic bird enough for a long zoom which fortunately paid off.Equipment
This was shot, handheld, using a Nikon D5500 with an 18-105mm lens.Inspiration
I particularly wanted a shot of a Secretary Bird as I had encountered these birds in Zimbabwe (it was S. Rhodesia then) where I was having my basic flying training with the RAF. There were flocks of these on the airfield and the local army were recruited to scare them away as they were a hazard to aircraft landing and taking off. They always returned but I remember having the occasional scary moment when I was taking off. I never saw them close up until the day I took this shot.Editing
Very little PP, just bringing out the colours round the eye in Topaz Adjust.In my camera bag
I am a Nikon user and have a D7200 and a D5600 (upgrade from my D5500) in my bag, plus lenses 18-104mm, 18-140mm and a 35mm. Often I have a tripod but on this occasion I had a monopod to save weight. I have polarising filters on all my lenses and a selection of graduated filters which I rarely use. I often take with me one of the small cameras I own, either a Panasonic TZ90 or an Olympus SH-60 as backups and for the unexpected quick opportunity.Feedback
Most of my animal photographs are taken in zoos or birds of prey centres and most of these places are photography friendly, even allowing you closer access where safe to do so. I make life difficult for myself as I like to take full head shots which means either a long zoom or getting up close and personal. It also depends on the animal itself as some are quite docile whilst others look as though they would like a piece of you - so far I have been lucky apart from a painful nip from a macaw. It is great fun and often rewarding so well worth the effort
