Giant Kingfisher ( Male )

[Stu Bowie]

I was going through my files and found this image taken in the Kruger Park a while back. I remember the day having rained and overcast, as you can see by the settings. I was shooting from a hide, and this fellow gave me a show by taking off and returning to this perch. The action shots are totally motioned blurred due to the slow ss, and I dont believe increasing the ISO would have achieved sharp take off and incoming shots. Taken late afternoon, and the BG is distant grasses on the far side of the water.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 200-400 @ 560mm ( rented at the time )
1/200
F/5.6
ISO 1250

Exp comp +0.33

Hand held from a hide.

[Jonathan Ashton]

As always excellent exposure and focus, my only suggestion would be to crop a little I feel there is a rather large empty space on the RHS, I would use the same crop shape and drag in from top right then move the bird just a tad so it is slightly to the left of centre. I would not cut off the bottom part of the log.

[Karl Egressy]

Nicely framed, beautiful background, excellent head turn and eye contact, all in all it is a very pleasing image, Stu. I don't recall having seen this bird posted before. Is it a rare one?

[Bill Nuttall]

very good - I'd look to see that bird (and of course take a shot as good as that)

Thanks for posting

[Bill Dix]

Beautiful KF, lovely perch and background. Because the BG is so nice I don't mind seeing the bird a bit small in the frame with lots of room.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu - Another image that ticks all the boxes. Nice control of the blacks with good detail and perfect HA. I like the perch too. I am absolutely fine with the comp as is but I tend to like negative space. Overall, a very pleasing image and bg.

TFS,
Rachel

[Stu Bowie]

I don't recall having seen this bird posted before. Is it a rare one?

Thanks Karl. This is certainly not a rare bird/kingfisher, and Ive posted these guys before over time. Having said that, I wish they would pitch up more often compared to the Pied Kingfishers.

Thanks to everyone else for your feedback.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Stu! I like the pose, HA, exposure, sharpness, composition and sweet BG.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Superb capture Stu!

I love the pose and head angle, as well as those droopy wings - I guess he was busy drying up its feather after a dive?

Superb colours, BG and perch, subject well exposed - well captured and presented, congratulations!

Warmest regards,

[Joseph Przybyla]

I can't find anything I wish were different, lovely image Stu. Beautiful bird, perfect perch and background. Thank you for sharing.

[christopher galeski]

very nice Stuart,love everything about it,BG,perch,Pose,sharp with nice detail,loverly image,well done.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I love the light and what an awesome perch and grumpy looking KF. I reckon you could crop tighter from the top and right.

Thanks for sharing Stu. Really nicely done mate!

[Robert Kimbrell]

A great looking KF Stu. Like the pose and most excellent Background. I agree with Bill, the background is so nice having the bird small in the frame works.