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Thread: Pied Kingfisher takeoff

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Pied Kingfisher takeoff

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    Spent yesterday morning with Mr Gerrie van Vuuren at the Mankwe Hide in the Pilanesberg National Park...can't believe I haven't been there more frequently before but then again it is more than 3 hours' drive from my home.

    Got some decent Kingfisher action, but oftentimes too far from the hide. This was close enough for this to be nearly full frame. The BG is as shot, OOF mountains (which is one of the things that makes Mankwe a great place for avian photography).

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    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 07-29-2010 at 04:37 AM.
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  2. #2
    Ken Watkins
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    Morkel,

    Great shot and lovely BG.

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    Hey Morkel bhai, great shot this.. loved the timing, pose and BG...

  4. #4
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    Cool take-off pose, eye contact and BG. I might sharpen the bird a bit more.

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    Morkel, Excellent take off and nice details. I like that you inc. the perch.

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    Love the pose and the intent look you've captured here. The background is perfect.

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    As always Morkel a great image. It's amazing that although these are common where you are it can be quite difficult to get great images of them. The BG, eye contact and perch are to die for. Great crop

    TFS

    Michael

  8. #8
    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Great action, perfect shutter speed, great background. I really want to get to the Mankwe hide, the images from there are fantastic.

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    BPN Viewer A_Maddah's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel
    superb timing.All good.TFS

    Asad

  10. #10
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for the comments everyone...Axel during processing for web I noticed that another round of sharpening makes the bird appear too "crisp" :)

    Chris - can't believe YOU haven't been there...can only imagine what you would walk away with from there...I would say after 2 days of driving through Pilanesberg it's worth just sitting at Mankwe hide and Rathlogo hide the entire time as the bush very dense and inhibits good general game viewing (unless the animals are in the road), and the birding is just spectacular at Mankwe.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    I don't think anyone mentioned the composition and framing, which in addition to everything else makes this such a great image. The opposing diagonal lines and the balance seem really exceptional to me.

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    Good heavens, beautiful job capturing a take-off. I agree that the angles of the bird/wings/branch make this image.

  13. #13
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hey Mork, well timed for the take off, and I like the forward wing positions. Im glad you left the perch in, and agree, sharpening the head will work. Another great Mankwe BG.

  14. #14
    Nico Steenberg
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    Sound like Morkel is impressed with Mankwe ? Super timing and exposure against a killer bg. Well done ;)

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    BPN Member Tony Whitehead's Avatar
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    Great job, Morkel. I got one in almost identical pose from the same perch in April - only difference was BG had shades of green! Mankwe is a great spot.
    Tony Whitehead
    Visit my blog at WildLight Photography for latest news and images.

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    Morkel, superb shot. This place sure rocks. Loved the composition. One more vote for sharpening the head a bit.

  17. #17
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for the kind words everyone - I must say I am very pleased with this one

    here is a repost with another round of sharpening applied to the head
    Morkel Erasmus

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  18. #18
    Fabs Forns
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    Very nice capture, although I must admit the perch does not relate to me as the one where he took off from?
    Don't listen to an old lady's ideas if it is :)

  19. #19
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    it actuall is, Fabs :) ;)
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  20. #20
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    Great timing, pose & of course that magic Mankwe BG. Great one Morkel & it was a pleasure spending time with you.:)

  21. #21
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks Gerrie - the feeling is mutual :)
    Morkel Erasmus

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