This is a Blacksmith Lapwing, photographed in the golden evening light.

I took this photo along the Sabie river a few kilometers east of Kruger National Park’s main restcamp Skukuza.
There was a rainy storm at night and thus a lot of shallow water between the tarred H4-1 road and the Sabie river especially at the look-out points.
I spotted this the Blacksmith Lapwing or Blacksmith Plover (Vanellus armatus).
The plover used this temporary water to take a bath. This is after the bath; the drying moment.
No towels apparently.

photography
Car. Open window. No beanbag. IS.
Another image…same session, same bird, taken with a 5D+70-200+1.4 extender: here.

developing
Lightroom and PS CS3
…tire kicking
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time
5/10/2007 16:38:53
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/1000Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F5.6
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
250
Lens
EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Focal Length
400,0 mm
Image size
3888 x 2592
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
One-Shot AF
Picture Style
Standard

Thank you very much!
Annick Vanderschelden