Brown-hooded Kingfisher male

[Marc Mol]

Male, Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris).
Taken whilst inside a Hippo hide on the Luangwa River, Zambia SLNP.
Light was against me here.
Nikon D2Xs
300 f/2.8VR
ISO 100
f/2.8
1/320s
@300mm

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

[Daniel Cadieux]

As you mention, the light certainly was not playing to your advantage - but you did about as good as you could with it. Just some highlights to town down on the perch. Good pose by the kingfisher, and you got yourself a pleasing BG. The perch is interesting in shape and texture, but it is a little bulky and I wish it wasn't sprinkled so much by dry vegetation. Cropping some from below (to just above the darkish spot in LRC, but not too much a s to clip the virtual tail) would minimize the perch's dominance and still give you a balnced comp.

[Raymond Barlow]

really nice image, I have not seen this species of kf., very cool., good exposure and pp considering the light., as Daniel says the perch is a bit heavy., and I like his advice on the crop.

[David Fletcher]

Very nice Marc. Think Daniel has made some good suggestions which will enhance this. That Hippo hide I have heard of and is on my wish list. Drop dead gorgeous bg. Thanks for sharing.

[Harshad Barve]

Apart from perch , everything looks fine here
TFS

[Stu Bowie]

A super pose from the KF, and stands out well against the BG. There is not much we can do where they decide to perch.

[Ken Watkins]

A super pose from the KF, and stands out well against the BG. There is not much we can do where they decide to perch.

How true!

Great capture Marc.

[Marc Mol]

Appreciate the comments guys.

That Hippo hide I have heard of and is on my wish list. Drop dead gorgeous bg. Thanks for sharing.

Dave
The Hippo hide is the one dug into the Luangwa riverbank @ Kaingo Lodge.
A great observation area for the Hippos and occasional bird that come close.;)

Cheers
Marc