One of the first birds you see in Africa are the Egyptian Goose. We’d call them a dirt bird in the US. That’s because they are so common, so very bloody common, as common as dirt. In the case of Africa, you can call them a dirt bird because they are not only so common as well as you most often see them, in the dirt. They are a big bird, about the same size as a Canada Goose. So after the first record shot to show you saw them, the Egyptian Goose receives no photographic love. It’s just that common. With that knowledge, it leaves the door wide open to make a special photo, making the uncommon from the common. The first example of this is the top photo where the geese are in running water. This is the only time I’ve seen them in such. This is a quick grab shot taken with the Df / 300PF. We can do better thinking those magical words, Light, Gesture and Color.
Then there was this opportunity. It came near the end of our 10 days and the goose was firmly placed in the “dirt” bird category so most of the time, they weren’t even recognized as even being present. But as you can see, I made us stop for this one. There were two but by the time we stopped, there was just the one. And it stayed long enough for me to only get two shots off (D4s / 800mm) but I love this shot. Ya, butt shots are rude but that’s part of the gesture I love. But the life to the colors of the goose’s feathers on its flank and in the background brought out by the light is what really made me put the brakes on the Landi. It’s a classic example of making the uncommon out of the common. Now the one thing I didn’t see when I took the photo is the log, on the log (left by a baboon). My sweet wife asked me if I was going to make that go away in post. She asked that with a big smile because she knew I would never, but now it’s a family joke. I guess, it all depends on your point of view of the too common, Egyptian Goose.