This is a Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas). They are the most characterful birds, this one playing with a leaf and throwing it about, oblivious to me shooting. I had a few other wildlife images from the week, some more typically "NG" Wildlife, if I could use that phrase, than others.
For me this birds antics was the nicest moment I had whilst spending a quick week with my father in the 2,000,000kmē Kruger National Park before treatment begins (recently diagnosed with bladder cancer). It's one of the few true wilderness areas left in the world.
Thank you all for the great 6+ votes and 8.2 VOTE AVERAGE comments! I'm surprised considering the heavy saturation.
ETA:
When, when, when is a Wildlife Gallery going to be added to DPC? (And mentored/moderated by Wildlife knowledgeable photographers).
Nature is NOT WILD-life! Fences, obstacles, man made structures, rubble, concrete walkways, wharves, pylons, wires etc in the image does NOT represent wildlife in the true spirit of the word (remember that animal refers to all living creatures except humans)...
As expected, many of the images submitted in this Wildlife VI challenge were not taken in the wild or in the animals natural environment (i.e. An impala in Texas, USA), but in Zoo's or man made reserves, local parks etc. with the hand of man showing. Whilst it may be argued that a non-captive animal in suburbia, "safari" parks, your garden etc is wild and free to roam, it has by association become acclimatised to humans and thus it is no longer "wild".
"The Fence" cartoon draws an interesting angle on this debate.
Statistics
Place: 25 out of 96 Avg (all users): 6.4167 Avg (commenters): 8.2000 Avg (participants): 6.2037 Avg (non-participants): 6.5641 Views since voting: 666 Views during voting: 261 Votes: 132 Comments: 5 Favorites: 0
I have no idea what this bird is - or where it might be found - I am going to hazard south Africa or maybe New Zealand? Super crisp focus, good textural detail, lovely curves to the composition and the light bokeh a super foil to the bird.
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