Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Malachite perching

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default Malachite perching

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I went to my favourite location yesterday to stock up with more kingfisher images - Pilanesberg National Park. Although this is africa, the temperature was -4 deg C, but not as cold as the guys that went out for the Great grey owls. The cold didnt stop this little jewel from fishing. He kept diving in and out of the water from this perch. These guys are extremely fast for both take offs and perching. In this, I worked out, if I pre focussed on the top of the perch, keep my eye in the viewfinder, and every time I heard the splash, I would fire off a burst, and he would hopefully fly into the frame. This species is also only very small 4 - 5 inches in height, and unfortunately he wasnt up close. This is not a large crop, but will experiment with other images to see how far I can go with regards to cropping tighter. The BG is water.

    Canon 1D Mark IV
    Canon 400mm F2.8 + 1.4 tc 560mm ( loaned for the morning )
    1/3200
    F/5.6
    ISO 800

    Exp comp + 0.33
    Rested on side of walkway
    Last edited by Stu Bowie; 06-17-2013 at 09:38 AM.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    617
    Threads
    132
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This is awesome Stuart - love it! Great timing and the comp works really well IMO. The bird small in frame works because of it's striking colours,
    Cheers, Greg

  3. #3
    BPN Member vishaljadhav's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Pune , India
    Posts
    1,711
    Threads
    94
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great timing Stuart, lovely image
    the colors are really striking, i would love to see this kf some day

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra, India
    Posts
    7,409
    Threads
    469
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nice ,clean,super sharp image, Stuart Sir.
    Because of size of the perch,one can imagine the size of kingfisher.
    Love the landing pose,beautiful colors,wonderful backdrop and composition.

    Regards,
    Satish.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Long Island, New York
    Posts
    6,275
    Threads
    574
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    One might think that a big perch for a small bird might be awkward, but it works perfectly here to give a sense of perspective. Love the landing pose and that gray-blue background. Nicely done!

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Bangalore, India
    Posts
    759
    Threads
    78
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    excellent freeze. love the outstretched legs. good choice of keeping the bird small in the frame

  7. #7
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a beauty, Stu! From composition to colors to sharpness! Great BG, the bird and perch really stand out!

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    10,347
    Threads
    403
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a super capture, Stuart, and I love that you have left the bird small in the frame.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks a stack for the kind words and feedback everyone.

  10. #10
    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Riverside, CA
    Posts
    6,664
    Threads
    276
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great color on this one Stuart. I agree that the small in frame works so well here because the bird is so colorful. Really pops off the screen for how small it is. I like the perch and the color of the water. Very nice shot!

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    El Paso, TX USA
    Posts
    3,456
    Threads
    162
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wonderful shot.
    I really like the comp here.
    Very nice light, terrific pose, sharp, and great perch.
    Very well done.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics