Common ostrich

[Hilary Hann]

Out of my comfort zone here as I'm definitely not an avian photographer, but I had such great opportunities with a small number of ostriches recently that I thought I'd put one of the images out there for critique. This male ostrich in his breeding plumage was accompanied by a female as they raced across the pans in Kitirua Conservancy. I purposely left plenty of space for them to use, although I have a different one of a single male much closer which I may post another day.

Happy for any c&c. Thanks.

1DX; 70-200 @ 200; ISO1000; 1/2500 @ f8. Handheld from a moving vehicle.

[dankearl]

Very nice to see something different and perfect matching strides.
I think maybe just a bit off the top and off the right to compensate would look good.
Detail on the birds is very nice.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Dan, if I crop some off the right I'll lose the kicked sand from the female bird which I feel would be a shame but look forward to hearing some more views.

[Martin Dunn]

Nice colours Hilary. The male looks particularly splendid and both B+W feathers are well exposed. Wonderful pink on thigh and neck.
With the flat ground and the matching strides it almost looks like they are in a race.
I like the POV, were they running alongside a moving vehicle?

Framing looks fine to me, a bit shaved from the top perhaps, but it would not drastically alter the image.

[John Robinson]

Great stuuff! and as mentioned different. Don't seem to be often photographed.
Well done indeed. (Some meat on those thighs !! )
Cheers
JR

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Hilary - I really enjoy the synchronicity of their poses. Your timing was great and the comp with plenty of space works for me. Well done!

TFS,
Rachel

[Grace Scalzo]

Simply a fun image to view. Love the poses and the silly look of these birds.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love the double running poses and the dry African environment. I also love the visible heat shimmer in the BG. Good call leaving some space in front of the birds for them to run into. Getting lower to ground level would have been so cool...but the dangers of doing that in a moving vehicle are quite obvious:bg3:.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Hilary, I like the similar running postures, and well exposed on the male. The heat haze is evident, but not distracting, it just shows others ( who arent used to the african sun ) how hot it gets in africa. :w3

[Marina Scarr]

I also love the mirrored running poses here and the vast difference between the two in terms of plumage. Mighty fine looking thighs!

[Joe Murphy]

A fantastic shot Hilary, great mid stride pose on both birds, lovely detail & colour.

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you everyone for your comments, much appreciated.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Hillary, This is a little different than what is usually posted in Avian, but I like it , Nice contrast of the male and female , Well done.

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Hillary

The techs are spot on, the stride and heat haze takes it up a notch.

Would take a bit off the top.

Well done!

Andre

[Satish Ranadive]

Absolutely superb image. Every thing has been said. Love the running pose and beautiful environment.

Regards,
Satish.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated.