Eastern Crowned Crane Portraits
28 worksFirst upload: Jun 2018Peak: 2019Last 12 months: 2
📝 Description
These images feature the Eastern Crowned Crane (*Balearica regulorum*), a large bird native to eastern and southern Africa. Photographers are drawn to its striking appearance, specifically the stiff, golden crest of feathers that resembles a crown or sombrero. The group displays various shooting angles, including close-up portraits highlighting the bright blue eyes and red throat pouches against grey plumage. While some images capture the birds in natural habitats with green foliage, others utilize tight framing to isolate the head and neck details. A shared visual motif across the collection is the intricate texture of the golden feathers contrasting with the smooth skin of the face.
How to shoot it
📍 Where to shoot
Shooting takes place outdoors, mostly near water or in park areas (Al Qudra lakes, Dubai; Lumut Perak).
🕐 Time of day
Most shot between 12:00 and 15:00 (32% of frames)
Based on 22 frames with camera data. Camera clock time; the time zone is unknown.
Shooting usually occurs between 10 and 15 hours when there is enough light for high shutter speeds without excessive noise.
🎒 Gear
A telephoto lens (70–200 mm or longer) is needed to shoot from a safe distance. Settings: aperture f/5.6, ISO 400, shutter speed from 1/300 s.
Cameras and lenses the authors used (10)
Nikon D810 2Nikon D7200 2Nikon D3400 1Canon EOS 40D 1Canon EOS R8 1Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM 2AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G 1AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II 1AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR 1100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary 020 1
🧳 What to bring
Spare batteries, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), water, and comfortable shoes for walking in park areas.
⚙️ Settings
Shutter 1/320 (1/1250 – 1/200)Aperture f/5.7 (f/2.8 – f/11)ISO 400 (100 – 1000)Focal length 200 mm (55 – 700)
Based on 23 frames with camera data. Median and 10-90% range across the idea frames.
The key parameter is shutter speed: freeze bird movement at 1/500 s or faster (median 1/345 s). Keep the aperture in the range of f/5.6–f/8 for sufficient depth of field, ISO up to 1000.
⚠️ Good to know
Maintain distance: cranes can be skittish or aggressive if personal space is violated. Do not use flash and do not block the birds' path. In hot regions (Dubai, Malaysia), plan breaks for rest.
📈 How the idea developed
works uploadedshare of all site uploads, per 100k
The date is when the file was uploaded to the site. The chart counts works assigned to the idea.
✅ How to repeat it
- Shoot in profile to emphasize the contrast between the golden crest and dark plumage.
- Use continuous shooting as birds often make sudden head movements.
- Focus on the eyes: this is the center of composition for bird portraits.
✨ Interesting facts
- 🏆 How the best frame was shot: Nikon D7200, AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 200, 140 mm
- 🥇 2 works reached the finals. Best contest: Wildlife: Birds 2026
- 🌍 Authors by country: 🇷🇺 RU 10🇲🇾 MY 4🇦🇪 AE 2🇮🇱 IL 1🇦🇹 AT 1
Some tips are prepared by AI from the idea description, photos and their EXIF. Check the rules and access to places before you travel.
Works
These lists are generated automatically and may contain inaccuracies. Photos are shown in random order, and selections are refreshed twice a day. This section is made for exploring photos and does not claim 100% accuracy. The lists include photos that previously participated in contests that are already completed.
