Call of the Spurfowl

There are very few things that affirm to you that you are in the bush and you need to wake up to go on a game drive as pleasantly as the morning call of the Swainson's Spurfowl. This call evokes endless memories of trips to the Kruger National Park and surrounds in me, and I'm sure many of you too. This bird is actually a francolin, and can be found all over Southern Africa. This particular photo was taken early one morning close to the Satara rest camp in the Kruger National Park.

If you want to learn how to improve your bird photography, check out the new series I am busy posting over on the Wild Eye blog:

For the Birds - Part 1

For the Birds - Part 2

(more to come!)

Techs for this shot:

Nikon D300s

Nikkor 200-400mm f4 VR @ 340mm

f5.6  |  1/400 SS  |  ISO-500

click on the photo to display at optimal resolution and sharpness

Now I feel the need to go on safari...darnit! Don't you?

Morkel Erasmus