The stretch of sandy beach shows up this female ostrich’s form and graceful gait. Being flightless, their defence is speed and those elegant long legs are adapted for high velocity movement. They move fast reaching up to 70 km/h.This ‘rear’ view reveals the two-toed feet, which remind me of a ballet dancer’s ‘en pointe. Surprisingly that slender long stretch of lower leg is acutally the long tarsometatarsus bone and that is the bird’s ankle mid-way up, while the knee joint is neatly out of view, hidden under plumage. Hopefully my minimalistic shot, hones the subject against a decluttered background. It will be interesting to see other examples of this week’s challenge – here’s the link to check out this week’s photo challenge: “Minimalist” Jen H poses this week’s challenge with the following in mind: “Minimalist photography is characterized by a large portion of negative space, a fairly monochromatic color palette with good contrast, and an interesting subject that is able to stand on its own to capture the interest of the viewer. At first thought, it may seem like it would be easy to shoot an engaging minimalist photograph, when indeed it can often be the opposite. A minimalist photo can also effectively tell a story, in spite of its relative simplicity, and it is anything but ‘plain’. ”
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Nature on the Edge 
Superb Liz, complete with shadow, only you could do this!
She looks like she’s wearing a bustle. What an elegant photograph.
Great minimalist photo and rule of thirds photo, too. Really nice, Liz. And thanks for your generous photography lessons in your posts.
Superb Liz! One of my faves for the challenge so far.
Oh, I think you forgot to include the link. 😉
Ah, gorgeous!
Love this. That uncluttered background, shadow, etc. Doesn’t get any better.
Love this photo Liz.
This is perfect. I had an image in mind quite similar in style (but not subject) but it is on my home computer so couldn’t use it. Hopefully there will be another opportunity.
Great photo for the challenge. Ostriches are so unusual a bird – comical almost, or is that conditioning from Disney? ;-D
Fabulous shot, Liz! 🙂
Super photo, Liz.
janet
How very sweet Liz, love it!
Terrific shot, Liz, and perfect for the challenge.
Love your ballerina reference. Did you ever see Walt Disney’s Fantasia? Worth the effort if you haven’t. Ostriches dancing to Ponchielli’s The Hours.
Love this comment, although Must admit I’ve not seen Fantasia, but the idea of it appeals. Now you’ve sparked a vision of Swan lake and the Pas de quatre… Long legged ostriches kicking up the cygnet scene … Can’t help smiling!
Hi Liz-
I’m a little late on this reply…
Love this photo and the facts you included. The idea of observing an ostrich on a stretch of beach never would have occurred to me. I thought they were desert birds for some reason.
~Jane
I so agree. Minimalist like a poster: The importance conveyed in an instant. Great shot.
Thanks Elena.