Vulture

[inkista]

Western Rueppell's Vulture at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in the Heart of Africa exhibit.



Rebel XT
EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
iso 400, f/5.6, 1/250s
monopod.

[lynette3]

I really like this!! The detail in his face is amazing!

[inkista]

Thanks! Yeah, the monopod worked really well to steady the camera. I don't know if this was a chick, but the downy look to the head really caught my attention--and I swear he was smiling.

[Palachandra]

inkista,

Nice shot, yes i can feel his smile!

Love the curve and sharp eye details. Crop is little tight at right and bottom (portrait??). IMO a little crop at right to eliminate right wing improves this!

[D40]

beutiful picture
amazing job

[WooD]

Fantastic shot. I love the earthy colors.

[shazzt]

Wow - that is a beautiful shot!

[clockdoc]

I agree with all the rest---great shot! I particularly like the lighting and tonal range. Nice separation of the chick from the background as well. Glad to hear you are using a monopod. It sure beats lugging a tripod around the zoo. 8-)

[inkista]

Thanks, everyone! I'm starting to feel like I'm getting something right.

Clockdoc: This was only my third time out with the monopod. My tripod is a small Velbon I selected for portability. My monopod is a Bogen-Manfrotto. In other words, my monopod is heavier than my tripod. I'm used to hauling the tripod around all day for my pano shooting (heck, I took it with me to Disneyland). The monopod takes more planning. I was also an idiot and left my ballhead behind (on the tripod). Luckily, I didn't leave the 400's tripod ring behind. Let's just say that I learned a lot about how NOT to use a monopod this day.

[avytech]

Wow! The detail is amazing. He/she's so cute, too!
Great job.