Hungry Pied Kingfisher

[Stu Bowie]

My favourite subject. Taken in the Pilanesberg nature reserve, these guys offer plenty of opportunities, as the trees are all around the hide. They will dive into the water, catch their meal, and land on any tree/perch and enjoy their meal. Notice the side of the perch where the fish are smacked to soften them up before swallowing.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/2000
F/8.0
ISO 400

Exp Comp -0.33
Hand held from a hide.

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Stuart: I laughed out loud when I saw this photo. What a mouthful! There is something about black and white birds that I really love and you've captured one beautifully. Also, you've taken the challenging dark eye on dark face and brought it to life - something that's not very easy to do. We'll wait for the comments but I wouldn't do anything to this one, my favorite Stuart Bowie this week. Thank you.

[denise ippolito]

Wow. That's a big fish. I like the pose and the catch . I think the story is interesting. I didn't know they smacked their fish to soften them. Beautiful BG and details.

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for sharing the interesting behavior Stuart. Exposure and sharpness look good. BG is attractive and the meal is a nice plus. Only wish for a slight head turn towards you.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Stuart, I agree with the positive comments above (nice background, prey a plus, and perch and story is interesting). Do you have any images of the bird tenderizing the fish? Thanks for sharing.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack guys and Denise.

Phil, here is an image I posted a while back showing him mashing the fish.
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=35649

[David Fletcher]

Fabulous PK shot Stuart! Brilliant details and the fish a huge bonus. Thanks for that info on the perch. (good pointer to their favorite landing spots). Fab shot!

[Malcolm Benn]

Great image and story .. every time I go back and look at the photo I start swallowing :)

[Harshad Barve]

beautiful image , lovely pose , expo , BG, quite a mouthful meal for KF here
TFS

[Bonnie Block]

Very cool! Super catch for you both! Not much to change here.

[Michael Zajac]

Great looking details and capture. Thanks for the info.

[Betsie Storm]

Stuart, great capture- pose, exp, sharpness.

[John Ippolito]

Stuart, the detail, exposure and background all are right on. The KF choking down it's prize in this beautiful light makes it even better. Nice.

[scott benson]

love this shot, its a real cracker.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much for the kind words. Much appreciated.

[Raymond Barlow]

excellent image Stuart... one of the best i have seen of this species., well done.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack Raymond.