Belted Kingfisher

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1

Belted Kingfisher 65.jpg
Belted Kingfisher 65.jpg1200×1200 543 KB

Belted Kingfisher 64.jpg
Belted Kingfisher 64.jpg1200×1200 639 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Tried visiting a new pond at the state park this morning and saw this kingfisher fly to a couple of different perches.

Specific Feedback

Any thoughts on composition of these?
A bit of a crop…image quality?

Technical Details

Canon R7, 200-800mm @800, monopod
First image: ISO 1600, f9, 1/2000s
Second image: ISO 2500, f9, 1/640s

Processed in DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop.

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1 Like
2

We don’t have kingfishers that look like this in Australia. It’s such a treat to see these pocket rockets.
You’ve managed to show me a front and back.

I love the perches and the background in both images. And of course the hairdo is wonderful. Do those head feathers ever lie flat?

I like your compositions but feel there is still room for a bit more cropping. Image quality looks good to me.

1 Like
3

You have a method for getting these excellent shots. The second is very dynamic and shows a nice head turn and tiny kingfisher feet. Overall, an excellent series…Jim

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4

Hi Allen
I saw my first King Fisher this week and I am hoping to get a photograph that looks something like yours, nicely photographed.
Peter

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5

Really wonderful pictures of the Kingfisher. SO crisp and clear. I personally like the perch as it is different and it gives a little bit of a scale to the bird. Sometimes we just don’t need to crop right in. Great series. Thank you for sharing

1 Like
6

Both images are excellent, Allen. I envy your relatively tame kingfishers. I really need to find a pond like it somewhere around here-even if I have to salt it with minnows. I like the color of the perch in the first image as it adds a lot of liveliness to the image and goes well with the browns on the kingfisher. I love the pose and the backlight in the second, but it has a somewhat drab color palette and I’m wondering if a bit of warming might liven it up?

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7

Oh, I am jealous, Allen. Your Belted Kingfisher shots are so much better than mine. Love the perches he is on. Nicely done.

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8

Mighty fine shots. I particularly like that second one. I have some big glass and I still have a problem getting close enough to these shy guys. Well done.

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9

Both are exceptional but the second one emphasizes the head so dramatically. Almost looks like you were a foot away with a 14mm lens!! I love the interesting BG and the angled perch. I could see this cropped to landscape format.

1 Like
10

Allen, both views are fine takes on a Kingfisher. Every one that I’ve “come across” has flown long, long before I could get within camera range. There is some jpeg fringing showing in the post against the sky, that’s probably not there in your main file.