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Bash it on the Head


Bash it on the Head
Photo Information
Copyright: Terry Longley (wideload) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 5 N: 1027] (3737)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 30 D, Canon EF300mm 4/L IS + 1.4x EXT, ISO 200
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Alcedo atthis [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-09-30 6:31
Viewed: 1169
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Caught in the act of bashing the fishes head on the stick to kill it before swallowing whole.

In flight the Kingfisher looks like a flash of bright blue light as it skims fast and low over the water. It is one of Britain’s most beautiful birds, with upper parts of an iridescent cobalt blue or emerald green depending on the angle at which the light catches them – and a very noticeable paler blue streak stretching from nape to tail.
The under parts and cheeks are a warm chestnut colour, which is most noticeable whilst the bird is perching. If this isn’t enough colours for one bird the legs are a bright pinkish – red. Juveniles generally have a duller plumage, shorter bills with a white tip and dark legs. The female is easily identified as only she has a reddish patch on the underside of the beak.

The kingfishers diet consists mainly of small fish, but it will eat insects such as caddis fly larvae and dragonflies, as well as tadpoles, small molluscs and crustaceans such as crayfish.

The Kingfisher breeds in rivers, canals, lakes and gravel pits, where there is shallow water for catching prey. It nests in a burrow excavated in a sandy bank. In winter some may move to coastal areas especially estuaries and bays.

Kingfishers have a fairly widespread distribution, more so in central and southern England and are less common further north.

Kingfishers are amber listed because of their unfavourable conservation status in Europe.
RAP, fartash, marjan, uleko, gelor, coasties, mlines, nardophoto, Argus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2006-09-30 7:01]

Hermosa captura en acción Terry, con excelente POV y colorido como puntos fuertes.
Me agrada el DOF elegido, ya que produce un fondo suave y difuso, despegando al ave y su presa sobre la percha del resto del entorno.
Buen encuadre, y elección del recorte.
Gracias por compartirla.
Saludos cordiales... Ricardo

Beautiful capture in action Terry, with excellent POV and coloring as strong points.
I like elected DOF, since it produces a soft and diffuse bottom, taking off to the bird and their prey on the hanger off the remainder of the environment.
Good framing, and election of the crop.
Thank you for sharing.
Cordial greetings... Ricardo

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 422 W: 71 N: 984] (4241)
  • [2006-09-30 7:23]

Hi Terry,
nice natural behiaviour captured in this picture. Colours and composition are great as well.
Cheers, JAcob

  •      
  • fartash Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1057 W: 54 N: 2785] (10175)
  • [2006-09-30 7:48]

Hello Terry
What a great shot of kingfisher,
nice colors and composition.
Ecxellent

Fartash

Hi Terry, una toma muy original, de mucha belñleza y acción. Buen POV and DOF. Enhorabuena and TFS.

José Luis

hi Terri, nice shot, good compo and exeletn moment on this picture. Goood and useful notice about it.
Marjan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2466 W: 168 N: 7458] (23564)
  • [2006-09-30 9:35]

That's an unusual action shot! They're very difficult to catch!! Very clever and a very nice composition. SLightly blurred but the bird was obviously moving fast! TFS, Ulla

  • Great 
  • gelor Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 128 W: 3 N: 12] (517)
  • [2006-09-30 11:31]

Bonjour Terry,
Il fallait la réussir cette photo ! C'est ce que tu as fait. Très bien fait. Félicitations.
Gérard

Hi Terry,
what a wonderful moment, I love this bird with the blue feathers, they are shining and you had so much luck to see him with the fish.
Excellent sharpness, beautiful, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hi Terry

Excellent timing. You have clearly shown the movement in the bashing of the fish. I love the colours in the Kingfisher. Nice work. TFS.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2006-10-01 10:12]

Great title. Nice action shot with a good POV and lovely colours. Excellent BG to set it off.

Good capture (you and the kingfisher)

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • mlines Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 507 W: 17 N: 555] (2560)
  • [2006-10-04 14:32]

Hi Terry. Good timing for a capture like this. They do it so quick, you have done well. The colours are excellent. One of my favorite birds. Congratulations. Murray.

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 500 W: 2 N: 466] (2121)
  • [2006-10-13 7:12]

great action shot! amazing moment you have captured here! great colors, compo. tfs

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2611 W: 133 N: 7494] (23373)
  • [2008-02-28 12:27]

Hello Terry,
Looking at your gallery my attention fastened on this fine action shot of a Kingfisher preparing its meal. I like the unusual POV and the lighting and timing are superb, as is the composition.
Thaanks for sharing this beauty,
Ivan

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