Redbilled Oxpecker

[Gabriela Plesea]

• NIKON CORPORATION NIKON Z 9
• NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
• ƒ/6.3
• 400mm
• 1/2000s
• ISO 1250
• GABRIELA PLESEA
• Mon, 26 August 2024 7:41 AM
• COPYRIGHT GABRIELA PLESEA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2024
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 13.5.1 (Macintosh)

Hello Everyone,

Here is a Redbilled Oxpecker, a pretty little bird that is common in the habitat of Kwazulu-Natal / South Africa.

The species spends most of the day perched on various animals like impala, kudu, wildebeest, giraffe and buffalo. Elephants find them annoying and shake them off vigorously while warthogs tolerate them to some extent. They are known to fly off the 'perch' and call loudly when a predator approaches the herd they are foraging on.

This oxpecker feeds on insects, ticks and all sort of parasites they find on the animals. And also blood, when there's a wound on the host.

So an interesting little character and I thought perhaps worth sharing this image. The subject here is perched on the back of a white rhino, I would like to know if the composition works for you and your overall impressions of this frame.

Nikon Z9
Nikon 400mm F2.8 TC
ISO 1250
F6.3
SS 1/2000s
0 EV

Thank you kindly for taking the time to view and for comments on my previous images.

Kind regards,
Gabriela

 

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Gabriela, nice looking OX P, and it on a 'pointy', too.

Nice soft light, good techs and rendering of the file, nice detail around the eye too. I also like the textured surface of the subject its on, it's more brutal and weathered, compared to the soft, delicate plumage of the Ox P. Some may not like the shadow over the rear tail, doesn't worry me, just a thought.

I'm wondering if a 10x16 but tighter in from the RHS might work too, as the RH hump I find rather dominates? Yes it places the subject a bit, 'in the middle', but if you place the eye on the top line of the grid it looks a bit more balance IMHO.

For me they are more 'vampire' as they will keep a wound open and to drink from the it!!!

Hope to see more from the trip.

TFS
Steve

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

• NIKON CORPORATION NIKON Z 9
• NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
• ƒ/6.3
• 400mm
• 1/2000s
• ISO 1250
• GABRIELA PLESEA
• Mon, 26 August 2024 7:41 AM
• COPYRIGHT GABRIELA PLESEA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2024
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 13.5.1 (Macintosh)

A very good evening to you Steve, and many thanks for feedback as always.

Been reluctant to crop further as I was afraid of too much 'pixel bashing'...but here it is and indeed looks much better, a lot more emphasis on the subject!

Did think of the shadow while processing, maybe I should have lifted a little... just felt that somehow it helped draw more attention to the soft light? Not sure... happy to go back to this frame any time and try various things. The tighter cropping certainly works for me, once again thank you 👏👏

Warmest regards,
Gabriela

 

[Steve Kaluski]

Been reluctant to crop further as I was afraid of too much 'pixel bashing'

Good evening Gabriela, you have 45mpx, even if you went to 50% that's an R3 and certainly for Social media, more than enough. Is this DX of TC?

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

It is DX, Steve. Not using the TC that much.

 

[Sidharth Kodikal]

The warm, angled light has brought out lovely details, shadows, and depth in this image. Quite unique, and interesting. I have a mild preference for the OP. Thanks for sharing, Gabriela. I enjoyed viewing this one.

 

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hi Gabriela, I like it - I like both versions, the composition is fine and when you said it was on a rhino it makes sense. I like the lighting, the shadow was there so no point wishing it wasn't, ok it doesn't enhance the bird but I don't feel it detracts too much at all.

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thank you so much Sid and Jon, for taking the time to view and comment - much appreciated

 

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Wonderful image, Gabrieal! Indeed!
Beautifully placed in the frame. I love it!
TFS

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

Wonderful image, Gabrieal! Indeed!
Beautifully placed in the frame. I love it!
TFS

You are so kind, thank you so much Akos 😊

 

[Arthur Morris]

I like the repost better. The light is sweet but the shadow across the bird's belly detracts. Is it sitting on a camel ?

with love, artie

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

I like the repost better. The light is sweet but the shadow across the bird's belly detracts. Is it sitting on a camel ?

with love, artie

Thank you kindly, Artie. And I agree about the shadow.The Oxpecker is sitting on the back of a black rhino 😊

 

[Arthur Morris]

The Oxpecker is sitting on the back of a white rhino 😊

Queen G, are you serious about the rhino perch? I was sure it was sitting on two humps of dirt; I suggested a camel to be funny.

One thing that has always bugged me about BPN is when folks/friends ignore an obvious problem, in this case, the shadow across the bottom of the bird. Ignoring (or not noticing???) major flaws does not help anyone improve.

with love, King Arthur

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

Queen G, are you serious about the rhino perch? I was sure it was sitting on two humps of dirt; I suggested a camel to be funny.

One thing that has always bugged me about BPN is when folks/friends ignore an obvious problem, in this case, the shadow across the bottom of the bird. Ignoring (or not noticing???) major flaws does not help anyone improve.

with love, King Arthur

Artie it was a rhino, LOL.

Was busy waiting for the 'perch' to settle then the bird flew in so I grabbed a few shots. This species is a bit feisty (the black rhino), they come to investigate when they hear or see a vehicle. They often charge...albeit iusually a mock charge...just to keep the 'enemy' at bay. And it was a black rhino, I made a mistake yesterday when I said white. The title is correct.

Agree about the flaws being mentioned, it's not nitpicking at all. In my case I am posting now here as well so I can learn more. And of course if I feel there's something interesting and folks might like to see.

Lots of love back to you and I hope you have a great day!

Queen G ☺️

 

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks, Queen G. Which is the rare rhino?

with love, King Arthur

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thanks, Queen G. Which is the rare rhino?

with love, King Arthur

The black rhino. Their numbers are dwindling fast ( both black and white rhino) due to poaching. To prevent poaching nowadays all rhino are dehorned. This is a costly exercise but very necessary. By the way the black rhino is a browser while the white rhino is a grazer.