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Thread: Scanning for a threat.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Default Scanning for a threat.

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    When Pied Kingfishers have company around their space, they become very alert to protect their temporary space where they have perched. This fellow obviously saw a threat above him, thus the alert pose. This was captured from my favourite hide in the Pilanesberg National Park a little while back. Unfortunately, this hide was burnt to the ground in 2018, due to a bush fire that spread through the area. The good news is that a new hide has been rebuilt, but there is no water around the hide as yet, as the rains have not fallen in the catchment areas. Once the dam is full again, I will revisit this location hoping to come away with my favourite subject. The BG is dry grass from winter, and taken early morning.

    Canon 1D Mark IV
    Canon 300mm f/2.8 +2X TC = 600mm
    1/3200
    F/7.1
    ISO 1000

    Hand Held.

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    Interesting behavior, liked the back story to this one. Killer background. Neat perch as well.

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    Looks great with the 2X! This is one of those rare examples where eye contact simply isn't needed; the frame tells a clear and coherent story without it. I love the wide composition to keep the entire perch. This is a really solid image, bravo!

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    I love the warm tones throughout. Neat perch too - I'm sure you will find some other good ones too once the place gets productive again. The owls over here do that behviour too when other raptors circle above.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Hi Stu,
    I like the pose and surprisingly, I like all the space around the bird. It suits the pose. The BG color is great and I love the shape of the perch.
    You have a great big dust spot on the LHS of the frame, halfway up the frame and about an inch in. Easy fix but you might need a sensor clean!
    Gail

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    A very interesting bird and I really like the BG as well. A good spot for the future.

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    Hi Stu, wonderful image. I love the colors of the kingfisher and the perch is over the top. The background color is lovely and compliments the bird well. I see the dust spot that Gail mentioned. Thank you for sharing.
    Joe Przybyla

    "Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams

    www.amazinglight.smugmug.com

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    Kingfishers are always a favorite!
    The perch is stunning and your composition with that wide crop works really well. Furthermore the bird looks perfectly exposed.
    I wish you had slightly more dof to get the whole perch sharp, right now it falls short behind the bird. Not a big deal though. I think the pose works nicely with the story behind the photo as well.

    Great to hear that a new hide is in place, I hope you get a chance to get back there shortly!

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Oh yes that works for me Stu, I like the composition and as usual exposure and details spot on.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks for the feedback everyone.

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    Nice Colors and Behavior.

    TFS

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Stu:

    Very nice image as mentioned, great colors, killer perch, and that alert pose. Look forward to new ones when the spot is ready again.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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