Preening Kingfisher

[Gerald Kelberg]

Recently, I was lucky enough to get onto a pond in northern Belgium owned by this pretty female Kingfisher. The pond is kept stocked with her favourite snacks so she chases others away.
After a dip and a snack, she was happy to sit preening on her perch in front of the hide.

EOS 1DX, EF 200-400 @ 560mm
1/1000 sec at f/5.6, 1600 ISO
Conversion in DPP, optimised in PS5 with adjustments in levels, curves and Saturation. Light NR with Dfine.

Comments and suggestions most welcome.

Thanks for looking, Gerald

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gerald, you are fortunate to have your own Kingfisher and his own pond to practice your photography. Lovely colour on this little jewel, and the KF certainly pops against the darker BG. I do like how the perch goes across the frame, with hints of moss.

[Alan Murphy]

Just beautiful. Comp wise I believe this would be stronger taking the left side in to where the corner touches the perch.

[Dvir Barkay]

Just beautiful. Comp wise I believe this would be stronger taking the left side in to where the corner touches the perch.

Agree with Alan, very nice shot

[gail bisson]

A terrific image.
Love the spotlit effect on the bird.
Excellent IQ and love all those colors.
Gail

[Gerald Kelberg]

Thanks for the comment and suggestions - I'll take a look at that crop from the left.

Having seen the image again once posted, I'm not completely happy with the colour on the breast - there were a couple of light spots and I think in trying to darken them , I have made them look worse rather than better. You live and you learn!

Have to try again!

Gerald