Black and White - Pied Kingfisher - Alert

[Stu Bowie]

Pied Kingfishers are very alert to anything that is happening around them. This pose clearly shows that this male is alert as his head plumage is tucked down against his head. Taken in the Pilanesberg National Park in January. The BG is as shot and is distant foliage on the far side of the bank.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/1600
F/7.1
ISO 500

Exp Comp 0
Hand held

[Satish Ranadive]

As usual marvelous image, Sir. Lovely composition.Love the pose,nice perch,BG and great lights.

[Jack Breakfast]

Perfection...takes the "bird on a stick" image to another level of stately beauty...yet another vote for the 100-400 when in good hands...

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent shot. Exposed very well, wonderful background, and I really like the perch.
Well done.

[PhilCook]

Built for speed !...just about as perfect as they can get Stuart ! If these birds are anything like our kingfishers here then are notoriously difficult to get close to, very difficult subjects

[christopher galeski]

what can I say Stuart,perfection,love the BG,perch,pose,sharp and good detail,nice light.well done.

[gail bisson]

I have been waiting for you to post a pied kingfisher for the theme this month!
Love that perch.
Excellent IQ as well.
Comp is perfect.
Well done,
Gail

[Lyle Gruby]

Agree with everyone above. I know what you mean about their awareness, our belted kingfishers are extremely difficult to get close to.

[Rachel Hollander]

Stuart - agree with the above - perfection with excellent IQ, pose, comp and exp.

TFS,
Rachel

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

Perfect subject for the theme. Looks like a jet fighter getting ready to launch.

Nice techs, and interesting perch. Lots of detail in the perch, but the subdued lighting on the perch keeps it from competing with the bird.

Well done.

cheers

Randy

[Jonathan Ashton]

Absolute corker no point saying one of your best becasue they are all top notch!!

[Mark Corpe]

Now that is just stunning, well done!

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Just brilliant, Stu. Perfect in all departments. Umm, if you twisted my arm, I'd ask for a slight head turn.
But this is so very good, that HA can go fly a kite :)
I have yet to manage to get within 500 ft of a KF.

[Sachin Saraf]

Stu, another stunner. excellent techs, sharpness, exposure, perch and pose. Great work.

[Bill Dix]

Superb. Exposure of whites and blacks is spot-on, and background to die for. Love the streamlined look. In fact, I could imagine a little more room on the left to accentuate the horizontal look. But a spectacular image just as posted.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much fo the kind words.

[Ken Watkins]

Stuart,

As usual a mighty fine image, one day I hope to get something as good of this beautiful bird.

[J van Noordwyk]

A stunning image Stu I also like the perch and I think this is a verry good comp well captured.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Really stunning Stu, love the pose and dark BG make the bird pop sp nicely WEll DONE!!

[Frank Schauf]

Perfect, with great eye contact.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent image, Stuart. I'm a big fan of Kingfishers and your is not exception.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the feedback and comments everyone.