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Alcedo atthis


Alcedo atthis
Photo Information
Copyright: Thijs van Balen jr (Pentaxfriend) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 23 N: 1566] (6315)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Pentax K20D, Sigma EX APO DG 50-500mm f/4-6.3, ISO 400, 86mm Kood Skylight Filter
Exposure: f/6.7, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Great Portraits Part Two [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-10-11 7:41
Viewed: 1282
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae
Genus: Alcedo
Species: A. atthis
Binomial name: Alcedo atthis


The Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, also known as Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies distributed across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas in which the rivers freeze in winter.


This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptions to enable it to pursue its prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.


Taxonomy
This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 as Gracula atthis. The binomial name derives from the Latin alcedo, "kingfisher" (from Greek alkuon) and Atthis, a beautiful young woman of Lesbos, and favourite of Sappho.

The genus Alcedo comprises a number of small, exclusively fish-eating kingfishers. The Common Kingfisher’s closest relatives in the genus are three similar blue-backed, orange-breasted species, the Blue-eared, Half-collared and Blyth's Kingfishers.



Description
This species has the typical short-tailed, dumpy-bodied large-headed and long-billed kingfisher shape. The adult male of the western European subspecies, A. a. ispida has green-blue upperparts with pale azure-blue back and rump, a rufous patch by the bill base, and a rufous ear-patch. It has a green-blue neck stripe, white neck blaze and throat, rufous underparts, and a black bill with some red at the base. The legs and feet are bright red. It is about 16 cm (0.63 in) long with a wingspan of 25 cm (1.0 in), and weighs 34–46 g (1.2–1.7 oz).

The female is identical in appearance to the male except that her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but with duller and greener upperparts and paler underparts. Its bill is black, and the legs are also initially black
The flight of the Kingfisher is fast, direct and usually low over water. The short rounded wings whirr rapidly, and a bird flying away shows an electric-blue "flash" down its back.

In North Africa, Europe and Asia north of the Himalayas this is the only small blue kingfisher. In south and southeast Asia it can be confused with six other small blue-and-rufous kingfishers, but the rufous ear patches distinguish it from all but juvenile Blue-eared Kingfisher; details of the head pattern may be necessary to differentiate the two species where both occur.

The Common kingfisher has no song. The flight call is a short sharp whistle, chee, repeated two or three times. Anxious birds emit a harsh, shrit-it-it and nestlings call for food with a churring noise


More info



De ijsvogel (Alcedo atthis) is een klein bontgekleurd vogeltje uit de familie der ijsvogels (Alcedinidae). Het is de enige van nature in Europa voorkomende ijsvogelsoort.
Kenmerken
De ijsvogel is een kleine vogel met een korte staart en pootjes, een korte nek, korte, afgeronde vleugels, een grote kop met grote ogen en een lange, dolkvormige snavel, geschikt om vissen mee te vangen en vast te houden. De poten zijn syndactiel: de voortenen zijn gedeeltelijk aan de basis met elkaar vergroeid.

De ijsvogel is onmiskenbaar door zijn tekening: een metaalglanzend blauwgroene rug, kruin en vleugels en kobaltblauwe staart en stuit, met witte halsvlek en keel en een warm oranjebruine buik en wang. Het blauw op de rug en vleugels is lichter dan die op de kop. De poten zijn oranjerood van kleur. De geslachten zijn enkel te onderscheiden aan de kleur van de basis van de ondersnavel, die bij het vrouwtje dofrood is en bij het mannetje net zo zwart als de rest van de snavel. Jonge dieren onderscheiden zich van volwassen dieren door het valere verenkleed met donkergrijs gerande borstveren, gevlekte kruin, lichte snavelpunt en donkerbruine poten.

Hij heeft een lichaamslengte van 16 tot 20 cm, een spanwijdte van 24 tot 26 cm en een lichaamsgewicht van 34 tot 44 gram.

Het geluid van de ijsvogel is een hoge, fluitende 'tjieieiet' of 'tieietuu', die hij vaak tijdens de vlucht laat horen. Bij opwinding slaakt hij een kort, herhaald 'titi-titi'.


SOUND


More info Oostvaardersplassen



Exposure time 1/160 s
F-number f/6.7
Exposure program Aperture priority
ISO speed ratings ISO 400
Exposure bias value 0.00 eV
Metering mode Center weighted average
Flash Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal length 500 mm
Focal length in 35mm film 750 mm
Contrast Hard
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Hard

I took these shots from a hide and used a beanbag for stability
hester, nglen, Alex99, Royaldevon, pankajbajpai, jconceicao, CatherineD, cicindela has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8623] (32138)
  • [2008-10-11 7:45]

Hi Thijs. This is a first class close up of the Kingfisher. Very good detail with bright colours. you have used the light in the eye. A nice POV/DOF. all with good nots well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3584 W: 143 N: 5669] (18531)
  • [2008-10-11 7:53]

Hi Thijs.
Once more nice picture of a wonderful bird. I have never this species and I will never see it too. Framing of the image, exposure and colours are simply outstanding. However, shot is sharpened a bit excessively. My kind regards and TFS.
Alexei.

hello thijs,
this is a excellent portrait shot of the kingfisher, spoton focus with good details, well composed shot, i could see some bg noise here and have posted a ws.
tfs & regards
pankaj

Oh, wow! Thijs, this is just amazing!
I have tried to watch Kingfishers and often only see a turquoise blur as they flit past!

A very good, close crop to draw attention to the alert eye, the perfectly adapted beak and the distinctive plummage, all in good, sharp focus.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer [C: 88 W: 0 N: 7] (534)
  • [2008-10-11 9:01]

Hi Thijs
Excellent shot,excellent background.
Nothing to critique (i can only envy).
Regards Jiri.

Hello Thijs,

Fantastic capture of this beautiful bird.
Nice colours with excellent detail.
Good definition and sharpness.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2386 W: 94 N: 5517] (17564)
  • [2008-10-11 10:45]

Hallo Thijs,
Schitterende foto in perfecte scherpte. Prachtige kleuren en een houding die je bijna bij elke vogel zou wensen. Het weerspiegelende licht in het oog maakt het helemaal af.
Groet,
Peter

  •      
  • smurali Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 207 W: 14 N: 609] (3582)
  • [2008-10-11 13:11]

Thijs, Welcome to the world of Bigma. This is indeed a great portrait. Not sure, how the bird allowed you get this close even with 500mm lens. I see a slight amount of noise. Try lower ISOs in future.

- Murali

Hello Thijs,
Great shot with amazing colours and sharpness. Excellent portrait. Congratulations,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2008-10-17 12:33]

Hello Thijs! Wow what a grea portrait my friend, so sharp and clear with electrifying colors,well done!

Mario

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2008-10-20 13:56]

Hi Thijs

They don't come much better than this, it has lovely clarity, perfect sharpness and every feather is caught in detail. Lovely DOF and framing. A real beauty

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1007 W: 64 N: 1266] (5195)
  • [2008-10-22 4:12]

Fantastic portrait of this lovely kingfisher standing out so perfect against the green bg.
Superb!!
Congratulations and TFS
Greetings
Maite

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2008-10-23 22:49]

Hello Thijs,
A superb close 'head and shoulder' portrait of a male Kingfisher with excellent technical qualities and lighting. The neutral green BG is ideal to set it off.
How marvellous it must be to be able to take such a shot!
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Kind regards,
Ivan

Hi Thijs!
Very nice portrai of kingfisher. Lovely colours and good sharness. I like also a note - long, and very informative :)
TFS and have a great week!
Regards,
Radomir

Hi Thijs,
I must admit this is one of my favourite birds and you have caught a wonderful capture of it here.The colours vivid and yet very natural and its bright eye full of life.Well done and have a good weekend!
Regards, David

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