Comment from Regina E.H-Ariel
Loll, great story to tell and the way the stork is looking up, says hey guys might be your tree but I deserve a spot too
excellent capture and again something unusual - the distance is perfect to see the birds so well distributed in the tree just perfect for your picture - great focus, contrast and lighting are perfect - view point is excellent and framing well adapted
I think this is a perfect composition for the photographic view point and has a nice story to tell in addition, well done

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 24-Sep-2019

thanks a lot again Regina

reply by Regina E.H-Ariel on 24-Sep-2019

All my pleasure

Comment from michiganmike
I guess the storks are almost as much a scavenger as the vultures. A very nice shot. There is something about the dead tree that is particularly appropriate.

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

many thanks mike;

Comment from Kelly Kiley
Wow! this one is way kool and too funny.. talk about a partridge in a pear tree!! lol.. this is a wonderful picture in all it's humor!! and great shot also!! love it!! you are very talented!!! love it!!!!

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

thanks a lot Kelly

reply by Kelly Kiley on 23-Sep-2019

your very welcome!!

Comment from seshadri_sreenivasan
Scary bunch of vultures! Wonder what the bold stork is doing there! Interesting observation and fine shot! The light and shadows, colours and the composition have worked out well. Good effort!

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

thanks again for your effort

Comment from ArtistCharles
Crazy picture with this outlier thinking, "If I stand here very still maybe they won't notice." It does look like its head is missing. They definitely have their eyes on the prize. Good vertical composition, good focus, good color. Well seen.

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

thanks a lot Charles;
of course, he was only preening

Comment from Susan F. M. T.
Fred,
A beautiful & interesting picture of the eight Vultures & the preening Marabou Stork all perched high in the leafless tree waiting to clean up the Buffalo's carcass after the Lions have had their fill & gone to sleep it off! Beautiful composition, framing & lighting taken with superb camera techniques & sharp focus.
Susan

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

merci suzann e

Comment from nikman
Quite an interesting and puzzling nature photo posted here! Presumably you are having a joke with us, as the stork has just turned its head around? Exposure and sharpness are good. Well done!

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

of course: just preening
many thanks again

Comment from Nature Rick
A photograph like this is difficult to frame and take not being sure what to include and what not. I like your framing in this shot. Interesting photo with all the birds. Sometimes you need to ask yourself, what story am I telling with shot. Well composed and overall a very pleasing photo.

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

thanks a lot Rick;
I spent 8 days in Botswana and took about 400 pics, after deleting a few hundreds more;
it is like a huge zoo, without fences and without people..

Comment from Cari Lynn
What a great shot! I have to say, my first question was "Where's the storks head?" Then I read your description. And, there is actually 8 vultures...one is hiding behind the headless stork! I like the muted colors

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2019

---

reply by the author on 23-Sep-2019

many thanks cari and welcome to this site;
the stork is just preening

reply by Cari Lynn on 23-Sep-2019

I figured that since he was still standing :) It sure looks like his head is really missing!!