Belted Kingfisher

[Bill Dix]

This has been a nemesis bird for me for many years. Always around, but always skittish and never within reach. I had seen this female on previous visits to Chincoteague NWR in years past, and she was there again last weekend, patrolling the same waterway along a popular road in the refuge. On this occasion we chose to stay in the car, which worked well until other visitors parked to see what we were up to, and opened their doors to get closer and send her off to a different perch. This was the cleanest of her perches, with the dry grass fields beyond (where the famous Chincoteague ponies roamed). Removed one stub of the branch.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 1000, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual. From car window.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, lovely pose on a clean perch, and she stands out very well against your smooth BG. The feather detail shows up nicely.

I know Ive said this a few times - these Belted KF's are very similar to our Giant KF's with regards to their colour, especially the bronze belly or chest, depending on the sex.

[Raybel Robles]

Ohhhh the Belted Kingfisher!! You couldn't describe it better. Here where I live they are just a skittish and I have never been able to photograph one.

This is a great image with a nice clean background and perch. All sharp and in perfect focus. I wish the feet were visible but I still like this photo as it is. Well done and congrats on finally getting a photo!

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

It is always nice when one, finally gets the shot we´ve been dreaming of for a long time!
This one came out pretty good. Nice relaxed pose, good light and with a very clean BG. TFS! :)

[Mike Landwehr]

They certainly are elusive! I've yet to get a really good image of one. Nice background, nice perch. Handsome subject, well captured. Good light and very sharp. I like both the bird and the perch. I'm glad you can now strike this one from your bucket list!

[keith mitchell]

It's a beautiful clean image you have got here, cracking sharp bird sit's really well on that nice clean backdrop, it really is good Bill.

Keith.

[mohammad reza shahab]

lovely pose,perch and BG. nice light.

[gail bisson]

Congrats on getting this image.
The light is beautiful and the BG color superb.
Love the clean view of this lady as well.
I might add a couple of points of blacks to the neutrals as the KF is ever so slightly washed out.
A real beauty Bill!
Gail

[John Robinson]

Text book shot Bill. Excellent clarity. As usual I would have preffered a bit of something in the back ground but that's just me.
Cheers
John

[Satish Ranadive]

Marvelous image, Bill Sir.
Very nice pose, beautiful color pallet and great composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Joseph Przybyla]

My nemesis bird also. I have never gotten this close. Lovely image, Bill. Nice detail and colors.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Congrats on this one Bill. You can count me is as well on having been unsuccessful on capturing a shot like this. Excellent pose and background.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Excellent image, Bill and congratulations. We were very lucky her favorite fishing spot was so close to the road. Great feather definition and control of the harsh light. She pops off the BG nicely.



Geoffrey

[Daniel Cadieux]

Excellent. I love the head angle. Nice details and good colours. Super skittish they are for sure, so this must have been a thrill for you.

....I can relate to photographing from the car only to have another pull in behind and have the occupants come out and point excitingly at the subject now flying away...then re-enter their car and leave....

[Bill Dix]

Excellent. I love the head angle. Nice details and good colours. Super skittish they are for sure, so this must have been a thrill for you.

....I can relate to photographing from the car only to have another pull in behind and have the occupants come out and point excitingly at the subject now flying away...then re-enter their car and leave....

Thanks Daniel. I suspect most of us have been there at one time or another. It was even worse at this location, since lots of tourists were jumping out trying to photograph the Chincoteague ponies in the distant field.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone.

[Loi Nguyen]

Bill, lovely image of a beautiful bird in clean BG. Can't ask for anything else. Loi


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[Bill Dix]

Thanks Loi.