Kingfisher

Gallery: AvianPosted September 16, 2013205 views6 comments

This was the first time I have had the chance to photograph North American kingfishers in the wild. Taken at a lake in central Illinois today. I was attracted to the kingfishers when I heard 2 splashes and saw the birds land in dead trees which were out in the water.

Canon PS SX50
1/200 @ F-6.5 ISO400
Canon 4.3-215mm @ 215mm
HH
from RAW

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on September 16, 2013 at 7:00 PM

Good one, John. Quite cooperative for a kingfisher. She gave you a nice pose on a good perch. The BG works real well with this one too. Only thing I'd like to change would be a little more light on the side of the head. The detail is there but it's too dark. Nicely done.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on September 16, 2013 at 9:51 PM

I like the overall composition and pose of the Kingfisher. The larger version is showing a lot of noise. I realize this is from the SX50. There is also very little detail in the whites of the throat. Is there more detail in the RAW file that might be extracted from that part of the image?

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 16, 2013 at 10:11 PM

This is an excellent capture and one of your best posts imo John, the kf looks good and the spider webs add a lot. I do think it could use some noise reduction on the bg, nicely done!

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on September 17, 2013 at 2:57 AM

Noise noted, but a very tough subject to get.
I might lighten the face and brighten the catchlight.

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on September 17, 2013 at 2:57 AM

Good for you & congrats ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 17, 2013 at 6:52 PM

Always a tough subject but you caught the bird on a typical perch for the species and it is separated pretty well from the background. I like your composition. My major issue with the image is the total lack of detail in many of the neck whites.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments