Struthio camelus [Ostrich - early morning light]

Of the 8,600 bird species which exist today, the ostrich is the largest. They are still found

in the wild in certain parts of Africa, and are very well adapted to desert life, getting water

from the plants they eat. These huge birds, which sometimes reach a height of 2.6 m and

a weight of 135 kg, cannot fly, but are very fast runners. Their small, flat heads and long

necks are downy and their plump bodies are covered with soft feathers. The male?s body

plumage is glossy black, and the wings and tail feathers are white. The females and young

males are greyish brown. If threatened while sitting on the nest, which is simply a cavity

scooped in the earth, the hen presses her long neck flat along the ground, blending with

the background. Ostriches, contrary to popular belief, do not bury their heads in the sand.

The male ostrich has from two to six females in his flock.

Beautiful Nick.The way You make him stand out in this mysterious landscape.A whole hidden world you bring to us.majestic his walk on the road, his paradise. the light is real good. Greetings Alix

I love the tire tracks on the road in Africa. Wilderness no more. :) Good shot of the bird fleeing. The early morning light is a bit difficult. The grasses are a little over exposed.

That's the problem with nature photography. It is not as easy as it seems.

Thank you Alix for your kind words.

 

Thanks Jeri - you are quite right about the conditions, and the fact that photographing animals in the wild is really difficult. This shot was taken at about 5.30 am in the African winter. The grass is indeed overexposed, as I was using the camera's spot meter for the bird.

 

Regards, Nick.

Nicholas, a beautifully set picture with warmth from the background over his dark figuring.

 

That trackway that leads you deeper in to the bush, makes the picture flow so well.

 

Great to see your work keep it comming

To be honest, I thought they live in Australia ... but my geography knowledge is far from great.

 

Seems like there were difficult light conditions - the grass is washed out. But I value the composition.

 

regards

Maria

Please tell where you shot this photograph?...If it was South Africa , was it in Oudsthoorn? This is on the garden route to Cape Town.cheers!

Definitely king of the road. I would not argue with a bird that size. Tricky shot with the black and white feathers.

Usually the head is always photographed. so the way you have captured her, gives another dimention. yes, the grass is a bit over exposed, but still a nice result of the animal and its surrounding. Pnina

Can't wait for the rest Nick! I love (pieceful) safaris and it does feel like we are gonna have good time with our friends, the other animals... ps: excellent job the introduction again, cheers.

Wow Nick fantastic. Look where you are now. Man this rocks! Great composition and colour. What do these things eat to get that big? lol

I enjoy both of these. I love the variety I find in nature. Thanks for sharing these with us! What a trip tht must have been. Going back to look at more of yours now~

Great shot! I have seen many of these in the wild, but never from this close. About the overexposed grass, I think it shows the reality of colours in Africa. At least, it's how I remember the grass in early morning or late afternoon...