Handsome Is as Handsome Does..., a photo from South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Please click here for a larger version of this photograph on "beta" TE.

"Handsome is as handsome does" is a rather strange expression in English but it means that "Good deeds are more important than good looks" - so a person should be judged by their behaviour rather than their appearance. Apparently the expression was first used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his "Canterbury Tales" of 1387.

This bird is, I believe, a Rhea, native to South America and distantly related to the ostrich and the emu. It might not be the prettiest bird in the world but it seemed quite a friendly sort of a creature when I encountered it at the new Clyde Valley Family Park not far from home.

Curiously, this bird reminds me of somebody - but I can't at the moment think who! :)

ISO 200, 1/2000 sec at f/4. focal length 105mm.

holmertz, ikeharel, pajaran, jean113, macjake, jemaflor, papagolf21, kasianowak, jhm, annjackman, Royaldevon, COSTANTINO trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102774) 2019-07-27 7:39

Hello John,
Looking like either a PM near to you or a President far from both of us (as far as possible, if I may say so). Nothing is expected from this bird, and it won't promise anything, so it can never disappoint anyone. Also, you will never get close enough to any of those persons to take such a beautifully sharp photo. Its really a nice portrait, and that eye (presumably the other one too) is really beautiful. It almost expresses some kind of intelligence.
Kind regards,
Gert

Tue (92470) 2019-07-27 8:16

Hello John,
Oh, what a great expression, I didn't know that one yet. A beautiful side portrait of this bird. The sharpness and lighting were superb. We can look deep into his big blue eye. Great job!
Lars

Nicou (193806) 2019-07-27 8:26

Hello

que portrait et vue quelle tête d'autruche fantastique cet œil bleu ce bec avec cette ouverture dans le be ce rendu sur le poil superbe
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

mesutilgim (0) 2019-07-27 10:13

Hello John,
Another wonderfull capture/entry in your gallery.
Taken with very good pov and sharpness this blue eyed beauty.
Nice simple framing and many good, usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Silvio1953 (221729) 2019-07-27 12:52

Ciao caro Jpohn, great portrait of superb creature, fantastic eyefine details, splendid sharpness and wonderful colors very well done, my friend, have a good weekend, ciao Silvio

jean113 (27893) 2019-07-27 14:27

Hello John, a beautiful portrait of the Rhea. Its’ long eye lashes have created a shadow across the eye, wonderful.
How clever of you to take a picture just of its head.
The sharp quality is amazing.
An interesting title with a good explanation.
Have a good weekend.
Regards Jean.

lousat (139332) 2019-07-27 15:00

Hi John,perhaps it is not beautiful because it is still at the stage of chick and is not completely developed, however I found it a good opportunity to let us know this English saying that I fully share, congratulations for this great portrait with excellent quality. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

macjake (98456) 2019-07-27 19:08

Hi again John
great to see you posting shots on here, keep them coming my friend. I wish my eyes were that blue :) I think we know who you're thinking the bird looks like hahaha. and i'm glad you mentioned the meaning of the famous saying, I didn't know that! I learned something new today. excellent details on the bird, the longer we look at him the more and more we see and we're intrigued by it. cheers
Craig

jemaflor (147224) 2019-07-27 23:33

Hi John,
Perfectly taken this head, interesting eye, nice with the blue tone. Perfect sharpness, photogenic bokeh, tfs. Interesting note.

emka (158204) 2019-07-27 23:48

Hello dear John,

Marvelous close up of this bird. I have never seen any of this kind. It looks like a young one and at the same time a bit like an old person. Stunning sharpness. Whom it reminds you, I wonder. :).
Have a nice Sunday

MAlgo

papagolf21 (152607) 2019-07-28 1:36

Bonjour, cher John,
Excellente prise de vue où les détails sont parfaitement rendus.
Bonne note (très appréciée).
Amitiés.
Philippe

kasianowak (17676) 2019-07-28 4:17

Hi John
I love birds all shapes and sizes and this one is no exception. There are no ugly birds ("ugly duckling" being a cute fluffy cygnet everyone likes), just look at this fantastic blue eye! :-)
I know who you mean (and anyway, Gert's already said it).
Great portrait, really sharp, the subject stands out on the pleasantly blurred background. So much detail, you can see every feather.
Have a nice Sunday
Kasia

jhm (211736) 2019-07-28 9:27

Hello John,

I've never the same result can obtain, with this 24-105 lens.
I've this lens sold!
What a nice clos up picture.
An excellent picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

annjackman (23019) 2019-07-30 1:55

Hello John,
There is wonderful precision in this photo with enviable sharpness and a well chosen depth of focus. The bird pops right out at me. Super.
Kind Regards, Ann

gervaso (28177) 2019-08-06 8:58

Hello, John!

Great close-up view on the face of this giant and interesting bird! I've taken a lot of photos of birds lately, but I haven't found one of these yet, so I'm still waiting for the opportunity... You captured with details with perfect light and sharpness! The colors are beautiful and well saturated! Very nice job!

Royaldevon (85932) 2019-08-06 15:02

Ha! ha! John, I missed this. Must have been when we were away in Wales for a few days!
What a great portrait study!
It could easily have been called a bad hair day!
Your photograph is incredibly sharp, those details standing out superbly against a useful oof b/g.
I love that you have secured a good catchlight in the eye, too.
There is nothing timid about this bird, he/she has a strong character!!!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

COSTANTINO (116580) 2019-08-12 13:38

Hello dear John and have a nice time
and a happy new day
fantastic close up of this head
what a great expression!!!!!!!!!
regards
Costantino

pajaran (115989) 2019-09-11 23:21

Pozdrav.
Lep glava ptice.
Sarmer sa lepim ocima.
Lepo pokazano, dobro uhvacen trenutak.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.