Pretty Lady

[Stu Bowie]

A female Giant Kingfisher relaxing in sweet early morning light on a cold winter's morning last weekend. The BG is a distant OOF mountain. Taken in the Pilanesberg Nature reserve.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/1250
F/5.6
ISO 800

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held

[Dan Busby]

Sweet warm light Stuart - doesn't look cold or like winter at all! Interesting composition with lots of space below the bird - was this to impart a sense of height? I think it works. Very nice background and eye detail.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Light is stunning as is exposure and detail. Just a matter of taste , but I would crop it closer to bottom and leave more on top.

[Fabs Forns]

The first thing that I saw was the beautiful light bathing the subject and BG. Really nice. About the crop, there's many ways to skin a cat and a matter of taste IMO, I'd go the opposite of Joe, cropping on the top, but cannot tell you why :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Light, BG and attentive pose make this one for me. I'm fine with the crop as presented and just wish we could see the entire tail.

[arash_hazeghi]

nice light and details Stuart, love the golden tones, crop wise I'd like a bit tighter.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Terrific golden light!! I like the comp as presented too. Great pose by this KF...it looks quite relaxed. I only wish the lower part of the perch was also lit.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Sweet light Bhai, nice HA amd setting....

[Hendri Venter]

Hey mate, You got this in such stunning golden light and looks like the KF is not aware of your presence and very relaxed. I like the comp as is and the BG rocks. Stunning image my friend.

[Michael Zajac]

Nice morning light .Good details and exposure.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the kind words. Much appreciated.

[Tony Whitehead]

Great light and BG, Stu. I like the crop as presented but can see it it with smidge off the top as well.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack Tony.

[Nico Steenberg]

The sweetest light available. Just awesome Stu !!!

[Morkel Erasmus]

super light and exposure Stu!

[Stu Bowie]

Nico, Mork, thanks a stack guys.