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Portrait of a kingfisher


Portrait of a kingfisher
Photo Information
Copyright: Bengt Falke (falke) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 17 N: 443] (1590)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40 D, Canon EF 300/4 L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-24 4:43
Viewed: 681
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Intro:
This is a portrait from my recent photosession with some kingfishers in southern Sweden. In the morning on the second day there were some lovely sidelight that enhanced the amazing colours of this little bird even further.

I am now thinking about building a permanent hide as there are quite a few of these jewels in the rivers Emmån and Silvereån close to where we live.

I was so happy during this session that I had my new camerabody Canon 40D as the shutters sound is so much lower that with my old one. As you can see in this portrait the kingfisher is very well aware of me but decides after a while that I am not dangerous even though I am only 3-4 meters away. With a sharper sound I think his decision might be another...

You can actually see the hide I am sitting in, in the reflection in the eye!

Geographic info:
This from river Rönne å to the northwest of of the lake Ringsjön in the most southern part of Sweden called Skåne.

Technical information:
Canon 300/f4 lens on a my new Canon 40D body, in rawformat and used Adobe Lightroom for some adjustments before the edit in Photoshop CS3. I must say that this body (40D) is much better at getting a fast and good focus than my other body (400D).

Just quite heavy crop, white balance and a bit hue
Noise reduction with Noiseware professional
Sharpening with Photokit capture sharpener

About the specie:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Distribution
This species is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is largely a resident species, but may migrate short distances from northern areas where the water surfaces freeze.

Habitat: It is a bird of the waterside, since it feeds entirely upon aquatic animals. It is frequent beside lakes, ponds, canals or dykes and streams. In winter, especially when inland waters are icebound, it may move to tidal marshes and the shore, taking its stand on the mussel or limpet covered rocks and diving into the shallow pools.

In most of its European range it is the only kingfisher. It may often be confused with the Small Blue Kingfisher, with which it overlaps in the southern areas of most of its range.

Description
* Size: Slightly larger than a sparrow (ca. 18-19cm., with wings averaging 7.5 cm),

* Appearance: Adult is bright metallic blue in the upper parts, cobalt on the back, and showing greenish reflections on the head and wings. The ear coverts and under parts are warm chestnut, the chin and sides of neck white.
The bill of the female is blackish and reddish orange at the base; the bill of the male is all black; the legs are bright red with a dark blue stripe. In the young the bill is black.

* Flight: The flight of the Kingfisher is rapid, the short rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies near the water, but during courtship the male chases the female through and over the trees with loud shrill whistles.
The Kingfisher sometimes hovers over the water, with body held almost vertical, the tail and head bent slightly forward and the bill inclined downward.

* Courtship: From February onwards the male has a trilling song, a modulated repetition of many whistles. He also signals with a whistle to the female when he is feeding her, this being his share of the nesting duties. This whistle is produced even when his bill is loaded with food, yet is clear and distinct. The female will reply and emerge from the nesting hole, and may fly to meet him, take the fish from him in the air, and return to the nest.

Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Kingfisher
SelenE, pvs, ralfsworld, Argus, kessi, spalaxtr, MMM, jaycee has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2352 W: 61 N: 3814] (12240)
  • [2007-10-24 6:03]

Hi Bengt,
Nice close-up portrait of this kingfisher. I liked the colors, POV and the reflections in the eye.
TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1149 W: 254 N: 2555] (11569)
  • [2007-10-24 6:18]

Hi Bengt,

This is pretty close,with good colors,details and dof,I must say I prefer the previous posting more,anyway I can understand your thought when they come that close,tfs

Paul

ps good luck with the construction of a hide

Hej Bengt

Really cool portrait of this kingfisher. I have never seen kingfisher here in Sweden so fare but maybe next year :) Nice details and well saturated colours.
TFS / Hälsningar
Ralf

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2615 W: 133 N: 7512] (23431)
  • [2007-10-24 7:57]

Hello Bengt,
Superb close portrait of a Kingfisher. As you say the lighting is very good and the colours are excellent. Even at f 5.0 you had nearly the full DOF with everything except the bill being very sharp.
Another beauty!
Thank you and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • kessi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 88 W: 5 N: 75] (221)
  • [2007-10-24 8:53]

Stunning image, Bengt,
I love the catchlight in the eye. Such a beautiful pose and his colouring is outstanding.
Great capture with all your kingfisher shots.

kessi

Hi Bengt,
I see that you are also interested in Kingfisher. POV, DEF and soft BG great. Well done. TFS. Mustafa

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7973)
  • [2007-10-24 11:23]

Hi Bengt,

This really is a close-up. You came very close and I agree with you that it seems the bird is aware of you.
This portrait is really impressing but to be honest I prefer to see the whole bird in all his beauty.

regards,
Zeno.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1791 W: 8 N: 4653] (15039)
  • [2007-10-24 16:02]

Hi Bengt,

A superb close-up of this Kingfisher. The colors and textures are wonderful. Excellent details - face, head, eye are magnificent - plummage is perfect. A wonderful background to show him off.

Jane

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1331 W: 107 N: 4825] (21400)
  • [2007-10-24 21:57]

Hello Bengt, great portrait of that beautiful bird ! Great details, very sharp and perfectly exposed. Very good work my friend !

Mario

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-10-24 22:32]

Hi Bengt,
Wonderful portrait shot with sharp details and lovely colours. Superb lighting and exposure and against the darkish BG it stands out well. Very regal pose. Excellent POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 755 W: 0 N: 1515] (6928)
  • [2007-10-25 8:34]

Hi Bengt
Excellent portrait.Good DOF and very sharp image whit good details.Colors are very nice.The light is lovely .
TFS Michel
pts tomorrow

AH! Superbes détails magnifique gros plan quels détails.
Bravo
Marie

Still me,
great close-up pf this wonderfull bird, excellent point of view and technicaly perfect !!!
many thanks for sharing your splendid captures,
friendly,
Pat

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