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Natural beauty


Natural beauty
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralf Lukovic (ralfsworld) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 502 W: 88 N: 1791] (6034)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon 100-400L 4.5-5.6 IS USM
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-09-14 3:51
Viewed: 839
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Captured in Tanzania, 20D @ 800mm, (400x2) handheld from a car.

* Pleas see my workshop*

The Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara, occurring in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially waste tips.

It is a huge bird, 150cm in length, and its 3.2 m (10.5 ft) wingspan means that it shares the distinction of having the largest wingspan of any landbird with the Andean Condor. Unlike most storks, the three Leptoptilos species fly with the neck retracted like a heron.

The Marabou is unmistakable due to its size, bare head and neck, black back, and white underparts. It has a huge bill, a pink gular sack at its throat, a neck ruff, and black legs and wings. The sexes are alike, but the young bird is browner and has a smaller bill. Full maturity is not reached for up to four years.

Like most storks, the Marabou is gregarious and a colonial breeder. In the African dry season (when food is more readily available as the pools shrink) it builds a tree nest in which two or three eggs are laid.

It also resembles other storks in that it is not very vocal, but indulges in bill-rattling courtship displays. The throat sack is also used to make various noises at that time.

The Marabou Stork is a frequent scavenger, and the naked head and neck are adaptations to this, as it is with the vultures with which the stork often feeds. In both cases, a feathered head would become rapidly clotted with blood and other substances when the bird's head was inside a large corpse, and the bare head is easier to keep clean.

This large and powerful bird will also feed on small mammals, reptiles, and similar prey.
goutham_ramesh, Rolf, elefantino, takos1, uleko, Scott has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • akb Gold Star Critiquer [C: 79 W: 0 N: 4] (243)
  • [2006-09-14 3:53]

Hello
Very very good composition
regards
Ahmet

Hi Ralf,
I like the pov , though you have shown more tree which i'm sure is intentional.The evening light ( i think so ) is beautiful and dramatic.
Wonderful picture
TFS
Goutham R

  • Great 
  • Rolf Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 27] (196)
  • [2006-09-14 4:23]

I really like this beauty in the top of the tree. Nice colours and action here.
TFS
Rolf

Hello Ralf, good shot with nice light and colors.
Great light on the eye of this stork.
Well done aand TSF

Andrea

Bella cattura Ralf!
Bei dettagli, anche se ripreso da lontano, bravo!

Ciao e grazie.
Franco

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2369 W: 164 N: 7114] (22494)
  • [2006-09-14 10:07]

That's a brilliant shot even though the subject isn't exactly beautiful! Excellent sharpness, superb lighting and nice composition.
TFS, Ulla

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3065 W: 231 N: 5834] (19602)
  • [2006-09-15 3:07]

Great catch, Ralf.
Very special to see this marabou gathering nesting material and perched high up on a tree. I have only seen them on the ground in zoos. Great POV showing his big throat pouch. Strange looking bird.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2043 W: 212 N: 3651] (12150)
  • [2006-09-15 4:24]

Hi Ralf

Fantastic work from such a distance! This is really a great equipment!!! (but wouldn't do anything without great control and handeling from its owner :))
Great POV, excellent sharpness and a very beautiful warm light. Cool workshop picture, too!
Again, very well done!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • Scott Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 212 W: 0 N: 291] (1382)
  • [2006-09-20 18:07]

Ralf,

Dit is Lekker. Fantistic shot. I must visit SA soon.

tfs
Scott

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