Belted Kingfisher

Gallery: AvianPosted August 13, 2012499 views23 comments

Hello,

I haven't been around NPN for a long time but hope to participate more in the near future.

Here is a Belted Kingfisher coming back to it's favorite perch after a successful hunt.

Nikon D300 w/500mm f/4
1/2000sec. f/5.6 ISO400
Gitzo Tripod, Wimberly Head VII
More that a few hours sitting in a blind.

Thanks for looking.

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Verdon on August 13, 2012 at 10:38 PM

the whites are a bit off; but the detail and colors with action pose are stunning...!!!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on August 13, 2012 at 10:49 PM

Nice action captured here and with lunch to top it off. I agree the whites seem a bit hot, but in my book any image of a Kingfisher is a success. I really like the perch and the complimentary BG - welcome back.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 14, 2012 at 1:04 AM

Your patience in the blind paid off!
As mentionned, whites a bit hot, but easily dampened if you wished.
A program like Viveza would easily fix the whites, as well as lighten the under-wing area a bit to recover more detail. Try the free trial!
Great pose, fine detail, and nice prey.
Glad to see you back!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 14, 2012 at 2:17 AM

Super action!

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Rebmann on August 14, 2012 at 7:31 AM

Wonderful kingfisher, a species I find very challenging to photograph well. You were good to be able to get that nice a balance between the sunlit and shadow. Sharp & colorful. And a bonus treat in the beak. A fitting reward for hours in the blind.

Registered on July 17, 2012, 31 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 14, 2012 at 11:52 AM

Nice work getting this - always a difficult subject to get within range.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 14, 2012 at 4:46 PM

Sweet catch for both of you. Great wing posotion and details, except in the neck area, but it doesn't really bother me.

Nice work Joel!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Toya Heatley on August 14, 2012 at 6:27 PM

Awesome action shot. The whites don't worry me as I know how hard it is to capture these birds doing anything other than sitting. Well done!

Registered on June 13, 2012, 36 Posts, 98 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 15, 2012 at 8:27 AM

Stunning detail and great pose Joel

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 15, 2012 at 9:01 AM

Looks pretty good to me! Like it a lot!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 15, 2012 at 12:08 PM

Wonderful pose with the wings spread out and the fish in mouth really adds to the image. I also like the perch and background, way to go, well done and welcome back.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 15, 2012 at 6:02 PM

Excellent action, Joel. Welcome back.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Lennart Augustsson on August 16, 2012 at 7:38 AM

A super shot! I like the action and the fish in the bill.

Registered on July 29, 2011, 21 Posts, 137 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on August 16, 2012 at 5:05 PM

Excellent shot! These guys are one of the most difficult subjects because of color & skittishness. their whites are always a problem in sunlight, but can generally be rectified.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on August 16, 2012 at 10:52 PM

I always have trouble getting any good shots of these guys, Joel. Great action here, and the one lifted foot is a small bonus, too. Well done.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on August 16, 2012 at 11:32 PM

Joel,
Very nice k. Fisher image. Really nice wing position, it has prey, and he coming at you. The exposure issue is easily rectified. Stunning backdrop. Nice come back Joel. Look forward to more of your images.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on August 18, 2012 at 7:22 PM

I love everything about this! The wingspread, lunch, one foot in the air, BG catchlight, etc. As they say about the hotspot but everything else, outstanding!

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on August 20, 2012 at 3:47 AM

Wonderful action shot !

I saw my first only a few weeks ago while visiting the US briefly.. Amazing ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on August 22, 2012 at 4:38 PM

Congrats on the well deserved WP Joel.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on August 22, 2012 at 6:41 PM

Congrats on the well deserved WP Joel.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 23, 2012 at 2:25 AM

A very tough bird to capture, especially close -
Congrats on a very fine WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on August 23, 2012 at 1:28 PM

A famously difficult species to photograph. Well done. Congratulations on the WP! I look forward to more posts and your comments on others' posts.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on August 23, 2012 at 4:20 PM

Great shot, congratulations for being chosen as the photo of the week.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments