Red billed quelias - C&C welcome

[davidedric]

These are red billed quelias (though only the males have the red bills). They are said to be the most numerous species on the planet. Also known locally as "locust birds", they can sttrip a field of corn in minutes. They form clouds, and rarely sit still, so I was pleased to get this portrait.

Dave

[NorthernFocus]

They form a question mark. I guess they are the African version of the starling.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[purplehaze]

That is a delightful capture, Dave. (If you can use such an adjective with such a destructive bird.) I would be inclined to crop in a little tighter, maybe remove the top and bottom leaves on the right, and maybe the stem and three leaves on the left.

[billtils]

Great composition Dave - nicely seen and captured. Can't make up my mind on the background - I started to type it was a pity that it didn't provide a greater contrast to the birds' plumage, but then wondered if that would have destroyed the gentleness of the image.

[davidedric]

Thanks for the feedback.

A bit like starlings, but a feeding flock can be over a million strong. They roll along like a wave, an awesome sight.

Ah the leaves. I agree that aesthetically they would probably be better gone. However, their disheveled appearance shows this is the end of the dry season - which is when the quelia flocks gather in this part of Africa, so I left them in.

I think the two tone background is the Luangwa river below and its bank above.

Dave

[Wavelength]

Thank God, you could capture them so still!!!