Vulture and Flies

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Vulture and Flies
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4446] (13284)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-09-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 400mm 2.8 IS, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-22 8:45
Viewed: 579
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Today's posting is a scanned slide.

I think this is a White-Backed Vulture - if I am wrong, please let me know. I am pretty sure it is feeding on a waterbuck.

The White-backed Vulture, Gyps africanus, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus. Sometimes it is called African White-backed Vulture to distinguish it from the Oriental White-backed Vulture – nowadays usually called Indian White-rumped Vulture – to which it was formerly believed to be closely related.

The White-backed Vulture is a typical vulture, with only down feathers on the head and neck, very broad wings and short tail. It has a white neck ruff. The adult’s whitish back contrasts with the otherwise dark plumage. Juveniles are largely dark. This is a medium-sized vulture; its body mass is around 5.4 kg.

Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of animals which it finds by soaring over savannah and around human habitation. It often moves in flocks. It breeds in trees on the savannah of west and east Africa, laying one egg. The population is mostly resident.

As it is rarer than previously believed, its conservation status was reassessed from Least Concern to Near Threatened in the 2007 IUCN Red List.


AN INTERESTING FOOTNOTE

As you will see it was taken a few days before 9/11 (it would actually be 11/9 in the UK) and after transferring to Nairobi we caught the evening flight to London on the evening of the 10th - the Americans on board were transferring to an American Airlines flight which was one of those diverted to Canada. What was interesting about this is retrospect was that our agent normally checked the clients in etc at the Check-In counter - on that day we were stopped at the door into the airport and she was not allowed in - the guard - who she knew well - told her they were expecting 'trouble' from Al-Queda (remember the embassy bombs a couple of years earlier?). Sort of makes you think - who knew what!
jaycee, PaulH, Miss_Piggy, CeltickRanger, rousettus, eqshannon, boreocypriensis, cicindela, Argus, angybone has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4021] (13255)
  • [2008-02-22 9:01]

Hi James,

Nature is not always a pretty sight. But this is a wonderful capture of the vulture. What a position he is in! Sharp details - exceptional for a scan - good natural colors and a true Nature shot. Hmmmm - interesting and chilling footnote.

Jane

Hello James
This is a superb picture...Perfect sharpness and amazing to see the flexibilty of the neck and the obvious strength that it holds...You wouldnt want to be vulnerable when these fellows are about!!
Paul

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-02-22 10:03]

Hi James. Its hard to think this was taken 7.5 years ago. I like the pose you have captured with the long neck bent to get to the food. very good colours in the strong light. with good detail. interesting notes and the Footnote very strange !!!

TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 980 W: 17 N: 2559] (9440)
  • [2008-02-22 10:22]

Hi James,
great documentative shot, DOF and details are excellent, great reproduction from a slide!
Paul

Hallo James
Magnificent shot of this vulture with his bait. It seems as if he is having a ball of a time with his prey. Nice light, excellent depth of focus and sharp details. This is nature taking its course. Not always cute or pretty, but the way things are, and you are showing him in his real environment. This is how they feed in the wild. For me, this is definitely not one of the most beautiful birds, but still remain an impressive creature. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Anna

hello James

this is a great action shot of nature photography,
excellent light on your image even if same parts of
the vulture seem to be in againts daylight,
excellent sharpness & details and density of the colors, TFS

Asbed

Hello James
Hot and flies and other hard conditions. I think this this shot was taken not easily. your capture great. Nicely composed. details and sharpness very nice. Great action scene. good note with intersting finish.
Take care, have a nice weekend
Ahmet

Hello James,
very impressive pose of the vulture with it's neck bending when feeding!
image is very sharp with so much details in closeness!
many thanks for the informative notes
well done and much appreciated
Tony

Ugly little thing. I wonder why though, we feel this way? I(t is more of a question I am asking myself...What dictates ugly or not pretty...I suppose it is up to each person...and in a personal way. What do you say to a person who shows you a picture of their 1 week old child or grandchild? Most babies look pretty much alike...but there always seems to be a "politically" correct way to answer..and it usually is "What a cute baby"...or "My goodness it looks just like you" or some such. but in nature...things are what they are..perhaps with this creature, it is what we associate it with...not sure but something to think about..Meanwhile your image brings up a lot of questions...good as it is!
Bob

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5087] (17953)
  • [2008-02-23 1:57]

Yeauch! Poor Waterbuck!
Very good shot of this scene of gritty nature.
Excellent image quality.
You've done well to expose the harsh light almost evenly.
Superb POV.
A shocking footnote!

Great work James.
Cheers,
Joe

Hi James,
This is very wonderfull capture showing the feeding style of a vulture with splendid focus, wonderful colors, nice lighting and excellent sharpness! TFS.
Have a nice weekend friend!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello James!
Scanned? It really does not look like! Very good quality of photo - a very dramatic photo. You presented the "true nature" - not always beautiful and colourful, but very often - like here - cruel...
Bravo and TFS!
Have a nice weekend!
Radomir

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2413 W: 132 N: 6649] (20861)
  • [2008-02-23 6:15]

Hello James,
You're right: this is a fine shot of a White-backed Vulture. Despite the scanning, this is razor sharp and the flies around the carcass are very clear. Unfortunately most species of Old World vultures are now regarded as threatened, especially the Asian species that have been decimated by the use chemicals to treat cattle deseases.
The footnote is interesting and rather alarming example of what may have been the workings of the bush telegraph.
Thanks for sharing both the fine image and the thought-provoking note.
Ivan

The scientific name is cool...I immediately thought of African Gypsy which has such a romantic ring to it.
Nature is not always butterflies and flowers...real life isn't always romantically pretty but this is a great photo of real life and while not 'beautiful' in the standard sense, there is a beauty in the vulture's role as janitor of the planet. :)

Your footnote is fascinating by the way.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 4 N: 1811] (8606)
  • [2008-02-23 11:52]

James, Very natural and lovely survival shot. Wonderful. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
  • [2008-02-23 13:04]

Hi James,
Splendid shot of this cruel scene but it is a part of nature and God's creation. Great light and exposure management and I like your low POV to portray this scene. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2726 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-02-23 20:43]

Hello James

What an unattractive bird.
The focus is sharp with very good details.
Excellent composition.
TFS

Rob

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