Blue-Eared Kingfisher
by Ashley Vincent
Canon EOS 7D, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM + 2x TC @ 260mm, Aperture Priority, f/6.3 (1/50 sec), ISO 3200, -1 EV, Handheld, JPG from RAW, Cropped About 20% from Full Frame for Better Composition
This is the third and final image of Night Shot Series … for now ;^)
Floating silently down winding tributaries running off the Kinabatangan River in Sabah at night is an intoxicating affair. There are few sounds, other than the chirping of cicadas and perhaps the odd frog, but you know there's life going on all around.
My trusty guide and boatsman was slashing through the almost pitch darkness with the beam of his flashlight like some earthbound Luke Skywalker, and every now and then he would whisper, “Look, over there, it's a …... ” and sure enough they'd be something amazing to behold! :^)
When we first set out I was thinking to myself, “This guy either has the eyes of a night predator or we ain't going to be seeing much of anything the way he's moving his flashlight about so quickly.” But I soon realised that all he was actually looking for was the light reflected from any eyes caught in the beam ;^)
For all the magnificent creatures we saw, I'm sorry to say that only a few did I manage to get relatively pleasing shots of, the Owls you've seen previously were two, and this wonderful Blue-Eared Kingfisher was another.
I was amazed to discover that certain birds seem to prefer sleeping at night on a vine or a branch out in the open, rather than some nest hidden among the foliage of a tree, even though I have to admit I'm still at a bit of a loss as to understanding why this is, so if anyone out there has knowledge of this behaviour I be grateful for an explanation.
Thoughts, opinions, suggestions and advice always welcome, and thanks in advance for taking the time :^)
Comments
12 commentsI am not sure about this one, but most forest KF's, like the Rufous-backed and Black-backed, migrate at night, so their night vision must be excellent. Perhaps they perch in the "open" to be sure night predators (snakes, etc) don't get them too easily.
As it happens, having read on your website that one of the few Kingfishers that's remained illusive to you is the Blue-Eared, I was tempted to dedicate this one to you Kwan, but I didn't want you feeling I was teasing ;^p
OK, now that I have a couple of reactions I'll post up the cropped original, which shows parts of foliage caught in the beam of the flashlight and, going by what you both say, most will find this version much more appealing.
As you can see, I made quite a botched job of my cloning - much the same as I did on the Owls I posted previously - although I think it's really only noticeable when I show the original I'm posting for you now; which is not to say I'm happy with my cloning skills, but these attempts were made soon after I started experimenting with PS ;^)
I got rid of the mosquito, the twig in the upper LH corner and the foliage because to my eye they only served as distractions and, personally, I really like strong images set against a completely black BG.
Anyhow, happy to receive alternative opinions and possible suggestions on reworking the original :^)
I like the comp and simple perch.
Sandy
Sandy & Bryan: I also feel it has a bit of a "flashed" look, but it was either this way or nothing at all, so naturally I was pleased for the light ;^)
Sharon: I'm sure for most I tend to go on too much in writing, but I'm equally sure there's the odd one or two for whom what I write is interesting enough and, perhaps, even a little entertaining; pleased I hit the mark with you ;^)
Jim and Steve: For the market I aiming to sell my work to, images that "POP!" or have what I like to describe as the "WOW!" factor are the ones I'm most happy for having been able to create, thanks for the confirmation on this one :^)
Beautiful shot, it looks great for iso 3200. I much prefer the original version with a bit of greenery in the bg and I find the mosquito interesting as well.
While I still prefer the all-black BG, I must admit that I'm appreciating the image as it was originally captured more than I ever was having read all the preferences for it here ;^)
Oscar