Proud Pied

Seeing that a few of my mates have been posting images from the Mankwe hide in the Pilanesberg, I thought I would join in the fun. This Pied Kingfisher was showing off his catch. Notice the scales on the perch, where these guys beat the fish to soften them before swallowing.

Canon 50D
100-400@ 400mm
1/1000
F/8
ISO 400

Exp Comp 0
Hand held.

That is a lovely shot they make great subjects. I have one minor observation to report - when looking at the tip of the bill there are jagged edges - I suspect this is a little of the sharpening mask incompletely removed (??)

Looks good to me. What time of day? (The shadow under the bird indicates near midday in which case you did quite well with the rather harsh light.)

I suggest opening up the BLACKs around the eye socket just a bit. Nice image design and BKGR.

Thanks for your feedback Jonathan. Here is my repost with a slight touch up of the bill.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arthur Morris

Looks good to me. What time of day?

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Thanks Artie. Taken at 8.13am

BG,s like only Mankwe can deliver...Great image Stu...love the detail and exposure

Outstanding detail Stuart. Nice exposure and lovely bg. Artie's suggestion on the blcks near the eye is a good one. Well done.
TFS
Todd

Like this one Stuart, nice exposure and great eye contact, catch adds to it. I would also be proud of this one , the image that is :S3:

Hey Stuart,
Repost definitely helped......rest fell into place nicely! I can see why you like the place so much! Very nicely done!

Super frame Stuart! Repost takes it up a notch. One of these days I'm going to pay you a visit! :S3:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doug Brown

One of these days I'm going to pay you a visit! :S3:

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Any time Doug.

Thanks all, for the feedback and comments. Always appreciated.

Good one, Stu. Brings back fond memories. May be worth trying flash and BB to open up the shadows with high contrast light - not so much a comment on this image but the conditions there on a bright day in general.

Great shot - maybe give the tail a bit of room on the RHS?

I think it's an excellent job exposing for the whites and blacks. Would you mind explaining to what extent and how this was accomplished in PP?

Background, composition, sharpness and of course the action are all super as well. Congrats! JR

Stuart, awesome exposure. You did well in what looks like harsh light. Love the BG.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

You nailed it Stuartbhai , 12th March coming soon :w3
TFS