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Thread: Mashed Fish

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Default Mashed Fish

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    This is purely a behavioural image. My friends, the Pied Kingfishers. They will sit on a perch and scan the water for fish. Once spotted, they dive down straight into the water, catch their fish, and fly back up to a perch. They hold the fish in their beak for a while, then they start to bash it against the perch. This way, they are making it softer to swallow. They literally swing it from side to side, as the image shows. Notice the closing of the nictitating membrane. They hold for a while longer, then down the hatch it goes. Hope I didnt bore you.

    Canon 50D
    100-400 L IS USM @ 400mm
    1/1600
    F/6.3
    ISO 640

    Exp comp +0.33
    Hand Held

  2. #2
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    Good capture of this behavior. I like the setting, action and BG and would tone down the highlights more. What is the BG, water?

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Stuart:

    I always enjoy the educational aspects of the site, so thanks for the back story. Do you think they actually break the fishes bones, or are they just stunning/killing it so its more pliable?

    Randy

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks Axel and Randy.
    Axel, the BG is OOF mountain.
    Randy, I think they mash them just to be more pliable, as they obviouly cant chew it to break it down, and maybe to digest a little better.

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    IOTY Winner 2010 Chris Kotze's Avatar
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    Typical PK behaviour. Super exposure,comp and a excellent BG
    Chris Kotze

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    BPN Member Don Lacy's Avatar
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    Very nice image well composed with a great BG and behavior captured.
    Don Lacy
    You don't take a photograph, you make it - Ansel Adams
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    IOTY Winner 2009 Mark Dumbleton's Avatar
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    Awesome shot Stu - love capturing behaviour images of PK's. Light a tad harsh, and some whites a bit too bright, but like the comp and BG. Was this at Pilansberg? Cant wait to go back there!!

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    Very nice; I like it. I agree with all the above you have done a good job of capturing behavior/action. I like your composition. You couldn't ask for a more even colored and soft background. Thanks for sharing.

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    Hi Stuart,
    The story is fascinating and the image stunning. The soft BG takes this over the top for me.
    Best,
    Nicki

  10. #10
    Fabs Forns
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    Stuart, thanks for the interesting read. Anhingas do the same here with the fish that have a spine, to break it and be able to swallow it. Amazing that the little fish could have an annoying spine!

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Interesting shot. I like what looks to be the slightly visible pupil under the membrane.

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    Great sharp action here. Good comp and bg. Well done Stu

  13. #13
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thank you all so much for the kind words. Much appreciated.

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