Wing Stretch

[Stu Bowie]

I visited my local pond in Pretoria on sunday for the first time this year, and although I dont photograph the Pied Kingfishers at this location, I couldnt resist this wing stretch. ( I normally leave my Kingfisher shots for Pilanesberg, as it has far better BG's. ) Taken early morning.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
1/2500
F/6.3
ISO 800

Manual exposure
Hand held

[keith mitchell]

Remember you posting these Kingfishers from your other site Stu with the lovely BG's ,this is still a nice shot but cool compared to your others,still well exposed and detailed I do like the open wing.

Keith.

[John Robinson]

Not an easy subject but well doe here. Love the perch ! I quite like the way the Bg fades to the left.
c
Cheers
JR

[Karl Egressy]

Nice wing stretch showing the lovely pattern. Excellent capture, Stu.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Very nice image Stu good exposure control. I have a tiny reservation, not sure if it is a sharpening or resizing artefact, look along the lower mandible there is a slight saw tooth effect.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Stu, nice to have you back.

The comp works well with the action here and you did well with the contrasting Exposure. The perch and subject seem to balance, but I'm just 50/50 wondering if the branch is a fraction too dominating, just a personal though Stu, no deal breaker. At this size it's hard to say, I just wonder if the white by the bill & neck are just a fraction hot???? Great to see a good SS, you nailed it for sure.
Looking forward to seeing theses guys later on and you again Stu, lots to catch up & discuss.

TFS
Steve

[William Dickson]

Lovely looking bird Stu and you captured it well. Beautiful details on the bird, I don't mind the perch angle.

Well done

Will

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu - This has a lovely 3D effect with the wing stretch and the zig-zagging perch. It doesn't have the warmth of that fabulous Pilanesberg light you seem to always find but still a pleasing bg. I also think some of the whites on the neck are on the hot side and could possibly be tamed if you were so inclined.

TFS,
Rachel

[gail bisson]

Hi Stu,
Love the wing stretch but find the perch a bit overwhelming.
Great BG. Agree about the whites but not a deal breaker for me.
Gail

[David Salem]

Great looking pose and details Stu. I think the whites look pretty good over here. The snake shaped perch is cool and I like how it works it's way towords us as it comes into focus. Well done

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing stretch, sharpness and complimentary BG. Although I like the way the perch winds into focus, I feel its a bit too big. Nice image Stu.

[Bill Dix]

I can see why you couldn't resist this. The wing stretch is great. I agree that the perch is a bit dominant.

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

That sure is one mother of a stick with a very good looking bird on it!

[Arthur Morris]

There are many things that I love about this image:

1-the creative use of the perch in the image design.

2-the light blue behind the bird with the green placed nicely to the right.

3-The elegant wing stretch with the bird's head turned nicely toward you--they often turn the head away from the stretched wing...

I believe that a small crop from below and from our left would make this one even stronger. a