Vultures at Sundown Photo

Photographer’s Note

One of the most common vulture species in Chobe National Park is the White-backed Vulture. It is a bird with only down feathers on the head and neck, very broad wings and short tail. It has also a white neck ruff. The adult’s whitish back contrasts with the otherwise dark plumage and the juvenile birds are commonly dark. The White-backed is a medium-sized vulture with a body mass of 4.2-7.2 kg, wingspan of 210-220 cm and longevity of 19 years.

Like other vultures it is a scavenger and it is found in large numbers when food resources are abundant. They are adapted to feed on soft tissues and can not rip open large carcasses with thick skin. It is a gregarious bird, feeding in large flocks. It is not uncommon to see up to 100 birds near a carcass. The White-backed Vulture searches its food by soaring high above the ground. It has keen eyesight and when one of them finds a freshly killed animal it wheels in the sky to signal other vultures to come and eat.

During the breeding season, the vultures build a quite small net on top of a tall tree and females lay only one egg. Incubation lasts for 56 and it is done by both parents. The chicks are fed by both adults and may fledge at about 4 months.

All pictures (main post and the 2 WS) were taken in the Chobe National Park, Botswana, in two consecutive days.

siolaw, flory, wimmels2010, pasternak, Dpbours, fayeulle, vero07, lucasgalodoido, xuaxo, stego, Docarmo, Photo65Net, ChrisJ, cuneyt-sb, gildasjan, john_c, mcenteesalas, PixelTerror, Vato_Law, kiwi_explorer, manatee, azaf1, Cretense, bakes888, rcrick, plimrn, pboehringer, sabyasachi1212, designsoul, josepmarin, rigoletto, lilimih33, adores, riclopes, Jgirl, edytungkal, Felip, Charo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

greg64g (11193) 2007-10-26 23:34

hello Antonio
superb realistion, colors and pov are perfect
well done
greg

flory (4804) 2007-10-26 23:40

dear neighbour Antonio,
love the atmosphere here,the vultures in such a romantic image;)
thanks,Flory;)

wimmels2010 (122) 2007-10-27 0:11

Dear Antonio, thanks for all the useful info that you wrote, very interesting. The image itself, however, is for me more about the sunset and silhoutte. The tree on the left has got quite a character that could even be painted! I'm quite fond of the soft hues on the horison that is evident at sunrise or sunset.
thanks for sharing
Wilmotz

macondo (13271) 2007-10-27 0:19

Hello Antonio.
A very fine sunset/silhouette shot, with an interesting subject and a great note. The colour tones in the sky are great and you have preserved at least some detail in the landscape below. A good piece of work.
Regards,
Andrew

Dpbours (220) 2007-10-27 0:26

Hi Antonio,

Nice one! Like the silouettes against the wonderful African sunset! Good note to it as well. I worked in Africa several times, but unfortunately I never went to any national parks. When working there, a non-African vacation always seemed nicer ;-).
The workshop shots you added and the notes give it a documentary feel! Thanks for sharing!

Have a good weekend,
Dennis

siolaw (25832) 2007-10-27 0:26

Hi Antonio,
Nice compo with these trees and vultures silhouettes in the setting sun with fine sky color and good exposure of the star! I like also the river with smal reflexions .
Nice
Laurent

fayeulle (26547) 2007-10-27 0:32

Salut Antonio
Ah ça alors ! J'ai la même à peu de choses près dans mes archives. Ce petit matin avec un soleil rougeoyant qui perce la brume et ces arbres déguenillés ou perchent les vautours ! Que de souvenirs ! Merci pour ces émotions.
JP

pasternak (13650) 2007-10-27 0:41

Very good, Antonio, the tree is placed properly in the frame and the soft light creates a strong romantic feel... The big vultures makes the whole scene look a bit unusual...

Cheers
Alexander

grantlp (2104) 2007-10-27 2:53

Hi Antonio,
As I have spend much of my life in Africa, and I am familiar with Botswana, I know how harsh this landscape can be, but in this image you've managed to capture the beauty of the environment. Vultures are also a rather ugly looking bird, but their presense in this shot only adds to the beauty, and provides some life to the composition. The colors you've captured are superb. Well done.
Cheers Grant

xavis (3176) 2007-10-27 4:20

hola,
nice composition and good work with lights. I like this sunset with the tree and the vultures, it gives a very special atmosphere.
only one little probleme, it lacks with a little of pixels, but I think that is the probleme to reduce the picture and to adapt to internet.

In any way, good job,

Javier
PS: I have add your picture to the theme: Lonely tree.

vero07 (1747) 2007-10-27 4:21

Hi Antonio,
What a beautiful shot! The different soft tones of the sky are amazing and also is the intense orange of this sun. Excellent contrast with the black silohuettes. Thanks for your useful information.
Perfect shot!
Well done.

daddo (11557) 2007-10-27 4:26

Hi Antonio. A dreamlike scene. Intricate shapes, enchanting colours and a sense of expectation. A very fine evening shot, excellent control of the conditions. Regards. Klaudio.

agbonavita (0) 2007-10-27 5:26

Um parente distante dos urubos aqui do Brasil, porém pertencem a familias distintas, mas ambos com habitos necrófagos comuns.
Gostei das silhuetas e do belo por do sol. Deve dar medo ficar nessas savanas a noite hein?
As fotos anexas são bonitas, me parece que a colorida (muito bonita no meu ver) perdeu qualidade com a compressão né?

Abraço
Andre

lucasgalodoido (16789) 2007-10-27 7:05

Olá Antônio!
Esses urubus na árvore seca ficaram ótimos, parece que estão só aguardando algum ser perecer sobre esse ambiente hostil para eles fazerem a festa. As silhuetas ficaram boas e o por-do-sol divino. Uma excelente composição!
Parabéns e Abraço!

StandAlone (185) 2007-10-27 8:39

Hello Antonio,
Love the shot, nice composition, love the sunset and silhoutte
Lv
Lynne

rhizomes (15325) 2007-10-27 8:59

Hi Antonio,
Very nice misty atmosphere ! I like the colors and the composition.
Christophe

xuaxo (5835) 2007-10-27 13:18

Olá António,
Cá está um dos famosos pôr-do-sol africanos, com o magnífico bonus das árvores e das aves.
Um abraço,
F

stego (22478) 2007-10-27 14:27

Olá António,

Um típico pôr-do-sol africano... (toma isto um elogio dos grandes!) Embora nunca tenha estado na África dita "negra" (ou será que usar isso agora é considerado politicamente incorrecto? :-), consigo até imaginar os "ruídos" da selva (insectos, passarada, quem sabe até algum rugido com alguma sorte...). Está simplesmente fabulosa.

Como é hábito, os WS's estão igualmente excelentes e mereciam ser promovidos a posts principais.

Um abraço, José.

Docarmo (8854) 2007-10-27 19:43

Olá António,
Sua foto ficou excelente!
Gosto da sua maneira de publicar um assunto principal com outro de fundo. Fica muito interessante!
Sempre que posso, tento fazer isso.
Os WS estão lindos também!
Parabéns e obrigada por partilhar.
Maria do Carmo

dareco (17104) 2007-10-28 0:48

We don't have vultures where I live. This is a really pretty picture. The color is fantastic and I love the tree. Nice that the birds are added. A beautiful picture. TFS

Photo65Net (43096) 2007-10-28 1:40

Antonio,
Amazing colors in this sky.
Compo is very good, placing the sun just between the shadowed trees.
I like a lot, great impact in this one.
Regards,
JB.

carper (65696) 2007-10-28 1:42

it's a very good one Antonio,
I like the backlight shot here, good quality job, the composition is nice and the colours are great, good photojob here, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

ChrisJ (70443) 2007-10-28 1:43

Ola Antonio

Good graphism & silhouettes of the stark trees & vultures. I saw these birds in Mongolia too, but didn't photograph them. Wonderful warm sunset colours, & tfs!

cuneyt-sb (6559) 2007-10-28 2:42

Hi Antonio
They waiting for some hunts or hunted than hunt , ;)
Nice compo and great colors with sundown,

TFS/Kind regards

gildasjan (24143) 2007-10-28 3:12

Hello Antonio
Very good sharpness of the plate and judicious choice of exposure that puts much value in the periphery of sun.I also appreciate the birds on the tree . good work.
Have a nice Good Sunday.
Sincerely
Gildas

vincz (19045) 2007-10-28 11:22

Great atmosphere. beautiful sunset with the silhouette of this tree and the vultures. I like it.

PixelTerror (86853) 2007-10-28 11:25

Ola Antonio,
That could be a good one for a game like "count the vultures in this picture" ;-)
I can identify 2 for sure, and together with the tree they act as nice silhouettes against the sunset warmth, it seems to me the quality of your picture has been noticeably affected, did you need to compress it strongly to fit in the 200 KB ?
Have a nice day, JY

Rodrigues (995) 2007-10-28 11:40

`Tá visto que sabes como captar a nossa atenção. Um contra luz magnífico, suave (temos tendência a pensar em fortes contrastes para contraluz, mas a suavidade é importante)em tons pastéis...delicioso. E a cereja em cima do bolo é dada pelos abutres.

Agora uma pergunta: a 17-55 justifica o investimento?

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2007-10-29 1:19

Hi Antonio,
Quite a dramatic scene ... vultures on a dead tree on a setting sun. Very good silhouette and contrast. Colors are also very clear and vibrant ... well composed. Excellent work! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

paura (39306) 2007-10-29 1:59

António,
Magnífica fotografia aqui. Os controles de iluminação e cores es tão executados de forma maestral. A árvore em primeiro plano imprimiu boa profundidade e é um lindo objeto na fotografia.

Abraço

Paulo

Vato_Law (11686) 2007-10-29 6:07

Olá António,
mais um belo pôr do sol da Africa com as silhuetas das arvores e pássaros a criarem muito impacto na foto. Gosto muito das cores e sensação de 'dégradé' visível no céu.
Um abraço.
Paulo

john_c (24635) 2007-10-29 7:44

Hi Antonio,
Well composed in interesting light. I love the way the tree and bushes are silhouetted here, together with the vultures themselves. The photo dramatizes so well your comments in the note. One can really feel the ambiance of the region here. Well conceived and executed...later.
John

manatee (4297) 2007-10-29 14:15

This is a exelente picture, i like so much the silohuette of the branches of this tree and the vultures, the skya nd the sun in the background as a complement of this wonderful composition.
Wonderful work, i like this pic

azaf1 (15547) 2007-10-30 0:57

Antonio, good morning
This a great foto, indeed. he figures of the vultures on the leafless tree emphasizes even more the death these birds represent. Great job
Argiris

Cretense (57010) 2007-10-31 3:18

Hi Antonio!

Amazing landscape photography, very atmospheric! Great light managment in this impressive backlit shot, great play of light and silhouettes. beautiful warm colours complete this fabled impression. Congratulations!

Best regards,
Hercules

bakes888 (18353) 2007-10-31 21:19

Hi Antonio. Excellent photo. I love the colours and subtle graduations in the sky. Good strong silhouettes contrast well with the sky also. Well composed and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

trekks (14334) 2007-11-01 8:23

Hi Antonio

Great photography shot
.sunset colors gradient is superb
.color tone is good
.nice pov, composition
.the silhouette is well done

overall, great job.

TFS, cheers,
Bill

zeca (20026) 2007-11-03 19:24

Olá Antônio, meu amigo! Que bela foto deste poente! O enquadramento é muito bom, com ótima nitidez nos galhos silhuetados! Os pássaros são um prêmio extra! Linda!
Abraço,
Zeca

rcrick (346) 2007-11-06 19:37

Hi Antonio, beautiful shot, excellent dof, the harshness of the landscape and the silhouette of the tree just makes this a wonderful picture, very nicely done, congrats Rick

plimrn (19720) 2007-11-07 9:13

Ola Antonio,
The vultures in the barren tree against the sunset sky make a really classic composition. I'm sorry to see your African trip come to an end; I'll have to check your earlier photos to make sure I haven't missed any.
SAA, Pat

toto (18767) 2007-11-07 22:30

Belle photo de cet arbre avec ce superbe doux soleil en arrière plan, belle prise avec ces oiseaux dns cet arbre déplumé, jolies couleurs douces et bonne netteté.
Amitiés Thomas

pboehringer (770) 2007-11-08 20:44

Antonio,
a very fine piece of photography with the right composition placing the tree off center and leaving the vultures in silhoutte against the pastel colored sky. Your african shots are a special series that I appreciate with every single post.
Regards, Peter

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2007-11-08 22:45

Hi Antonio,
Its good to be back and see these wonderful images, makes me feel what I have missed. Excellnt image with the silhouetted trees and the vultures, wonderful set of colours.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

Giorgio (8776) 2007-11-09 4:40

- Beautiful sunset with amazing color and light, the tree with vultures in foreground and chinese shadows is a undeniable more, bravo!
giorgio

marietom (32076) 2007-11-10 3:25

Hi Antonio,

Superbe contre-jour, avec ce soleil idéalement placé !
J'aime bien aussi l'ombre des oiseaux dans les branches.
Marie

prumod (8264) 2007-11-10 7:31

hi antonio...
very attractive sunset with the silhouttes of dry trees and the vultures... nicely positioned the perfectly round sun....
greetings...

AiresSantos (42924) 2007-11-10 8:00

Ola Amigo Antonio,
Mais uma bela foto do Botswana. Nós temos uma fábrica da nossa companhia lá. Adorava lá ir e pode ser que aconteca.
Belissimos tons e silhuetas. Bem controlada a luminosidade
Um abraço e bom fim de semana
Aires

designsoul (21394) 2007-11-10 20:25

My goodness, Antonio, what an amazing shot! You have been to so many places since we last "met" and am truly amazed by your newest production. I think this one stands out for me because of its incredible beauty both photographically and in terms of its subject--am a great lover of trees. A very nice work!
Take care,
sasa

Bluejeans (33081) 2007-11-12 12:03

Ola Antonio ,
Que maravilhoso pôr do sol , não e toddos os dias que se pode ver este belo momento , gostei muito das arvores com os passaros, as cores ficaram fantasticas , parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Scharan (13955) 2007-11-12 18:14

Lindíssima foto desta paisagem encantadora Antonio. As cores são lindas, gosto da composição, da silhueta da árvore que abriga os pássaros...linda.
GA
Vera

josepmarin (34107) 2007-11-13 10:33

Olá Antonio,
bella imagen de la puesta de sol, me gustan estas siluetas oscuras de los árboles en contraste con el sol y los tonos suaves del cielo. Los buitres dan una sensación un poco inquietante, y añaden interés a la composición.
Muy buen trabajo en los tiempos y en la exposición.
Un abrazo,
Josep

magui (435) 2007-11-13 13:37

Olá António,
Fotos com por-do-sol maravilhosos só mesmo de África, oiço os sons do fim de tarde, na savana, como nos filmes, sinto um ar tépido e este encantamento do som e da luz adensa-se na perspectiva negra das árvores e dos pássaros, também eles contemplam um dos mais maravilhosos momentos da natureza. Lindíssima!!!
Obrigada por partilhar.
Margarida

rigoletto (26812) 2007-11-13 14:36

Ola Mr. Ribeiro,
Those African sunsets are very generous in offering precious moments to the photgraphers who know how to capture them well.
Splendid counter-light/silhouette compo with those vultures and leafless trees.
Regards,
Deniz

viawia (52) 2007-11-14 3:11

Having been to Botswana and Chobe recently this photo immediately caught my attention. It is more the sunset than anything else since I have a very similar sunset photo (that I may post later) but not with vultures - mine has comorants perching on a dead tree. So apart from the fact that the birds add a lot of interest to the photo and make it special it is not realy the specific bird that counts. Your description of the cultures is however interesting and informative. TFS

lilimih33 (9874) 2007-11-15 15:53

Hello Antonio!
Nice sunset and beautiful colours in your composition!
Good point of view!
Lovely frame, too!
Excellent done!
Best regards!
Lili

adores (15769) 2007-11-15 16:34

Olá António!
Isto é mesmo Africa!Bonito pôr-do-sol, com uma cores excelentes. Gosto especialmente das silhuetas e dos pássaros nas árvores. Bem captada!

riclopes (33135) 2007-11-18 12:02

Bonita composição de silhuetas e perfeito enquadramento do sol, António. Os abutres são um pouco medonhos mas ao mesmo tempo impressionantes, especialmente se tiverem de asas abertas na sua envergadura máxima. De repente lembrei-me dos que via no México em cima dos cactos. Gosto da vista no WS2 e do azul do céu no WS1, mas esta é sem dúvida a imagem mais atraente. Dá para perceber o árido que isto é.
ricardo

Jgirl (27) 2007-11-20 4:45 [Comment]

Show Comment

delkoo (34792) 2007-11-24 13:32

hi antonio,
That must have been a wonderful trip and you got a most gorgeous shot. i am very impressed by the silhouette of the tree with vultures ,
I feel like an impression of dead, fortunately the warm colors of sunset Helping to make the scene more festive.

regards
didier

edytungkal (4519) 2007-11-28 1:15

Very nice sunset moment captured, playing with silhouttes and soft pastel colours is a beautiful combination, despite there is a soft hallo around the sun ball, its doesn't make it bad. I really like the trees sillhouttes between the warm colours around. Thanks Antonio for this lovely sunset and for the note too.

daniel

testmaniac (12262) 2007-12-03 4:00

Hi Antonio, very nice shot with nice composition and colors. I have similar shot, see in my gallery somewhere.

TFS and regards,
Philip

Tubularek (325) 2007-12-10 4:37

This beautiful view evokes romantic , yet sinister mood. I am sure that Caspar David Friedrich would have painted it - if he had ever been to Africa. :-) Great!

Felip (3905) 2008-03-09 12:02

Hello Antonio
Very good composition this one with the silohuettes of the tree and the vultures perfectly contrasted against the beatiful sunset. Bravo!
Have a nice day!

Felip

hforati2002 (45) 2008-05-22 6:11

hello Antonio

This beautiful view

Charo (31811) 2008-07-14 2:46

Olá Antonio,
Um belo cenário, as silhuetas das pessoas com aves nua árvores e que ao longo do belo pôr-do-sol, fazer uma bela imagem cartão postal. Bravo!
Abraços,
Charo

deud (1841) 2008-11-06 22:38

beautiful sunset. nice silhouettes!

great visual impact.
tfs

foozi (4735) 2008-12-03 17:44

Hi Antonio,
the sun, the trees, the vultures combine becomes a beautiful scenery and excellent composition. The colours are splendid as it pleases the eyes. The view is magnificent and I do not know when I will see such a shot, in real situation. Africa is so far away for me and the pocket is so thin.
Excellent shot, Sir.

Regards,
Foozi

fadingstar78 (408) 2009-11-28 0:32

I love the mood of this picture and the soft warm tones.