Giant Kingfisher

[Craig Kerr]

I spotted this Giant Kingfisher at one of Kruger's picnic sites and started to track it down, it perched only for a moment and was able to shoot it hand held
Canon 1S mk4 - Canon 500mm Lens - SS 1/400 - F5.6 - Iso 800

[DanieBenade]

Great shot Craig, like the detail and BG, good comp and pose as well.

[Nico Steenberg]

Good eye contact, detail and exposure. Love that bg. Nice shot Graig !

[yogesh_puranik]

wow..superb details and colors..grt

[Geir Jensen]

Wow .. what a great bird. Beautiful composition, good eye contact, great BG.

[Arthur Morris]

Lovely as noted above but not a good composition.... Why not point the lens up and lose the ugly branch at the bottom? In general it is a good plan to have more room above the bird's head than below its feet..... I cropped from the bottom towards that end and lightened the blacks of the head a bit.

Don't get me wrong: a killer bird and BKGR. SH with a perfect EXP. But should have been better.

[Alan Murphy]

Excellent image. Looks like the perch is a bit washed out around the birds right foot?

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Great shot and I like Art's suggestion on lightening the face a bit . I think the comp repost is better as well and I would not have thought of it.

[Craig Kerr]

Thanks for all your comments, much appreciated.
Arthur, I think I enjoy your repost more, thanks for your excellent advice
Alan, the washed out part of the perch is the result of a small out of fonus branch in front of the perch. The small branch had much more direct sunlight.

[Arthur Morris]

Glad to be of help Craig. That's what we are here for. Have you ever run into John Bryant of George? Great guy and excellent photographer.

[Chris Kotze]

Nice one Craig sharp and a super pose. Artie's repost looks great