The Chasee: Belted Kingfisher in Flight

[Doug Brown]

The other day I posted an image (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/89038-Cooper-s-Hawk-Gives-Chase) of a Cooper's Hawk chasing after a Belted Kingfisher that was not in the photo. I never did get both birds in the same frame, but this is a shot of that Kingfisher taken the next day. He's a little ragged, but it's probably my all-time best flight frame of a Belted KF.

100370

Canon 1D Mark IV, 600mm + 1.4x, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO 640, manual exposure, hand held

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent Doug, very few people can grab a KF in flight against a BG like that! well done

[Marina Scarr]

Well done on a very difficult subject to capture in flight, esp handholding a 600+. My hat is off to you.

[Ben_Sadd]

Great job on catching this against that background. This is a good example of where manual is really a necessity. Optimally I would wish for a more pleasing and less contrasty background, but I think the good techs and sharpness my the bird stand out well despite.

[Stu Bowie]

Doug, firstly hand holding that 600mm is a feat on its own. Then getting this guy in full flight in the frame ( knowing how fast they fly ) is another big feat. Overall, very well done. Looks like I better get some more practise in with my KF's here. :w3:w3 Cheers.

[Robert Holguin]

Wow!!!! Amazing shot. Great timing,wonderful background, and sharp. Well done.

[Tin Man Lee]

A shot I dream of having. Fantastic sharpess and beautiful pose in a nice non sky background. The eye is so sharp. Great job!

[dankearl]

I can't even get a decent shot of one on a perch, they are so skittish, and can't even follow them in flight.
Amazing photo, Doug, very well done.

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp with a nice wing position and an amazing capture--600 hend held but artistically this one does not ring my chimes: a really ratty bird and the dark somewhat blotchy BKGR.

[Dan Busby]

Doug - all nits aside, this is an amazing capture that the rest of us mere mortals can only imagine.

[Karl Egressy]

Great flight shot of a hard to shoot bird, Doug.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I'd be proud of this one. These guys are so hard to get so you did good. I like that you got the wings down with a slight head tilt upward. Nice.

[Doug Brown]

Appreciate the feedback folks. Not the greatest looking bird, but an image I'm proud of nonetheless.