The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Hi folks! It’s raining all day here in Memphis so what does that mean? You get another kingfisher post from me!
This time it’s the kingfisher doing all sorts of preening. Yesterday he showed up later than usual on the perch so I could use a faster shutter speed. That helped capture all the preening he did. He would dive off the perch into the water then come back and shake off and continue preening.
Specific Feedback
The first two shots with spraying water have motion blur on some of the head feathers. I think that’s okay to show the motion but what do you think? I was able to shoot these at 1/1600s shutter speed.
Any other comments on the different poses?
Thank you for any feedback - I hear Dennis likes preening shots anyway. Hope these cut the mustard.
Technical Details
Canon R7, 200-800mm@800, tripod
ISO 4000, f9, 1/1600s
Processed in DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop.
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The kingfisher does not disappoint, such great closeups. The minor head blur is insignificant and adds to the action. Wonderful scene capture of the preening activity.
These are a blast, Allen. I don’t know what shutter speed you’d need to stop the head rotation on these. Certainly none of the small birds I’ve photographed doing it come anywhere near being stopped-usually they’re completely blurred. The expression and disheveled look in 153 really caught my eye, but all are excellent.
Love these Allen, the trail of droplets convey the fast movement, and the slight motion blur doesn’t distract.
If I had to vote then 153 is a great pose
One of the best series you’ve done for sure! I love the variety of poses and behavior. So lucky you have a population that’s acclimated to us a bit more than they usually are. At least for me, they are really difficult to approach. Bravo!
I think my favorites are the ones with the best curves: the contours of the droplets in the first image, and the raised crest in #7. Very fun series, Allen.
These are wonderful. The slight blur in the head and the water add to the dynamism of the images. I love that the background is so simple - it really makes the bird stand out. Stunning!
What a superb series, Allen. I love the hairdo in the first two and the water droplet action. You have a very agreeable kingfisher. very, very rare. They usually hate being anywhere near people.
You’ve got a really terrific background that shows this little guy off beautifully. Other than the first two I think my favorite is 153 where he’s all fluffed up.
Thank you for the comments everyone! It’s been a real thrill to photograph this guy at my neighborhood lake especially since most other local photography spots have been dead lately. There is a shooting lane between some bushes just wide enough for two photographers and he seems to not know we are there as we stay as motionless as possible while shooting.
I’m not sure his pattern of using this favorite perch will continue as the weather cools and the fish move deeper. It has been quite fun while it’s lasted.
Wow, Allen, first and foremost I am jealous of the beautiful birds you have in your region! That’s the reason why photo 7 pleases me so much, because here you can see the kingfisher in all its glory. The other one I liek equally best, is the first one. I hadn’t even noticed anything being blurry until I read your description. I presume that is because my eye always immeditiately goes to the eye of the subject, and since that’s sharp, I didn’t think twice about the motion blur in the crest, which I consider not important. However, I have to admit I would have loved the drops a bit sharper, but I’m not sure until what ISO you think you can go before you deem the noise on your camera to be unacceptable. But all in all I wish this shot was mine anyway
