Some more kingfishers

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Belted Kingfisher 51.jpg
Belted Kingfisher 51.jpg1600×1200 604 KB

Belted Kingfisher 52.jpg
Belted Kingfisher 52.jpg1200×1200 482 KB

Belted Kingfisher 54.jpg
Belted Kingfisher 54.jpg1800×1200 968 KB

Belted Kingfisher 50.jpg
Belted Kingfisher 50.jpg1600×1200 578 KB

Belted Kingfisher 56
Belted Kingfisher 561800×1200 1.09 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

A few more kingfisher images that I have yet to share. They perch on dead tree limbs over the pond and I wait for them to fly using a monopod since I could not hand hold that long until they take off. I find I have to be more aggressive with my panning on these kingfishers than the larger birds. They really move on out.

Specific Feedback

In the first two images, I left in the dead branches they are flying between for context. The fourth image is in filtered sun with a mist in the BG.
Any thoughts on these compositions? Looks like I should add some canvas to the left on the second image. The last image was from a considerable distance so I didn’t crop in real tight but wanted to show what these guys are after in the pond.

Technical Details

Canon R7, 400mm f4 DO IS II, 1.4x extender III, monopod
Settings vary. First image is ISO 800, f7.1, 1/3200s

Processed in DXO Pure Raw 3 and Photoshop.

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1 Like
2

I’m envious of all these shots! Great detail and poses in every one, but the 2 with greenery behind them are especially sweet.
I have yet to find a cooperative belted KF in the US, at any reasonable distance. The ones in Africa are much less skittish, probably because there a far fewer people around.
Excellent series!

3

These are really nice, Allen. As you noted in your post, the third could use more space on the left, but I can’t think of any changes I’d make to any of the others except to put my name on them.

4

These are just excellent Allen. I love the look in the eyes you’re getting with flight/jump off shots in these. They are all so clean with a great BG and nice balance. I can’t believe they can eat a fish that size too!

5

pretty cool!