Is this kingfisher salvageable?

[Ian McHenry]

Was down at the estuary this morning and was pleased to get a BIF of this Sacred Kingfisher.
Unfortunately when came to editing result was a bit dissapointing.
Any suggestions or reposts appreciated.
Will post resized original and my best edit effort.
Original resized first.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Ian McHenry]

And here is my best attempt at editing.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Alfred Forns]

..... the bird is toast !!!! I have been after this guys for some time with zero luck Have gotten some almost half size in frame but that is about it. I think you need to be in a hide for success !!! Tough adversary !!!

[Gus Cobos]

I give you an A+ for effort Ian,
These little guys are very difficult to catch in flight. My suggestion would be to set up camp along their regular flight path and see what pattern they use, then pre focus on a certain point and wait for him to cross over...:D:cool:

[Ian McHenry]

LOL. Thanks for your comment Al.
Straight talking wins the day but I'll persevere !!!
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Alfred Forns]

btw I did keep all the little ones and replace with better ones but still don't have one I can post :)

[Ian McHenry]

Mmm. Thanks Gus.
Estuary walking for me is usually a "take what's there and hope for the best".
However there is another estuary with more "people comfortable" kingfishers so might try there for Kfs taking off.
Have previously identified some of their regular resting posts/trees.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Ian McHenry]

This is my best Kingfisher flight so far.
Possibly not really entitled to be here but "have a shot".
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Ian McHenry]

After looking at last image other one one is definitely toast !!!
Would you believe burnt toast !!!
Gotta have that sun on the bird.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Ilija Dukovski]

have you seen the footage of a kingfisher
fishing, shot from the perspective of the
fish in BBC's "Life of the Birds". I believe it was done
with captive birds. Still, extremely cool video.
Real mastery.

[Ian McHenry]

Thanks Ilija
I do have this set of videos so will check it out.
Meantime I think the sepia look is the best I can do with original image.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Lance Peters]

H Ian - all covered above - the harder you work the luckier you will get.:)

[Alfred Forns]

I'm sure you will get one Ian !!! ... btw I call those birds "evil" :)

[Ian McHenry]

Cheers Al
This may sound strange but for Kingfishers on trees I quite often find that best results are when the point of focus is where the feet meet the branch !!!
Ian Mc

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

THe second image is much better mate. Keep it up and work hard at it. It ain't easy. Good luck and hope to see some results soon. :)

[Ian McHenry]

Thanks Akos
Cheers: Ian Mc