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King Of The Hill


King Of The Hill
Photo Information
Copyright: Mehmet Ozcan (meo) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 46 W: 5 N: 106] (654)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Pentax K10D, Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/1000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-10 8:59
Viewed: 266
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kingfisher:
TR: yalıçapkını

Alcedo atthis is found throughout Europe and Asia as far east as Japan. They are also found in Africa, south of the Sahara. Common kingfishers are year long residents in their southern habitats, while northern populations travel south during the winter to escape freezing water. Alcedo atthis is the only species of kingfisher in much of its European range.

Common kingfishers are reknowned for their iridescent blue plumage. The entire upper portion of the bird: wings, back, and head are completely blue. The underbelly and a small patch underneath the eyes are rich chestnut. The throat and a small part of the side of the neck is bright white. They have small red feet. Their beaks are long, sharp and strong for the purpose of catching and holding prey. Males and females are very similar except for their beaks. A male’s beak is jet black, while the lower half of a female’s beak is chestnut. Juvenile’s are slightly more green and duller than adults.

Common kingfishers are found on the shores of lakes, ponds, streams, and in wetlands. They have even been known to fish in brackish waters, especially during the winter months, when other bodies of water may be frozen.

Common kingfishers hunt for prey from a perch above the water. Perches may be several centimeters to several meters above the water. When they see potential prey, they dive into the water, grab the prey, and fly back out. Sometimes when a perch is unavailable they will hover above the water to search for prey. After catching a fish, common kingfishers will hold the prey by its tail, and whack it against the perch. This stuns or kills the prey, which is particularly important when eating fish with spines. After consuming a fish it will regurgitate a pellet of indigestible bone.

Common kingfishers eat mostly small fish, making up 60-67% of their diet. They may also eat small arthropods. Crustacea consist of 5-33% of their diet. Common kingfishers have also been known to eat crabs and other small marine animals during the winter.

Common kingfishers are very territorial, as are all kingfishers. This is mainly because they must eat around 60% of their body weight each day. They will even defend their area from their mates and offspring. For most of the year individuals are solitary, roosting in heavy cover next to their favorite hunting spot. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds will sit on a perch some distance from each other and engage in territorial displays. This usually entails displaying beaks and plumage. Occasional fights also occur, where a bird will grab the other's beak and try to hold them under water.

The flight of common kingfishers is very fast, which makes their wings look like a blue haze. Common kingfishers can be seen flitting about waterways and wetlands.
marius-secan, nglen, rousettus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Selamlar adaş.
Karadenizden harika bir çalışma olmuş.
elinize sağlık.

Hello Mehmet,
A superb image of Kingfisher, very sharp, nice colours and a very good background.
Marius.

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 7 N: 1114] (5420)
  • [2009-10-10 10:14]

hi mehmet,
very nice picture of this beautiful bird .
excellent details in this picture. nice composition
TFS

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2924 W: 34 N: 8671] (32310)
  • [2009-10-10 10:22]

Hi Mehmet . Firstly thanks for the interesting notes on this Kingfisher. I think its a female with the red colour under the beak. Your sharp focusing has given fine detail . Along with such bright natural colours. Very well taken. TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2411 W: 94 N: 5569] (17712)
  • [2009-10-10 11:32]

Hello Mehmet,
What a beauty! The colours are very clear and beautiful, well saturated. Excellent sharpness and details in a very good composition. Great blue sky as BG, DOF and POV.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Mehmet,
Fantastic capture, very beautiful colors and perfect sharpness. Excellent POV with the sky as background. A real king as you said! Cheers,
Catherine

ben de arazide olunca yazamıyorum; güzel yorumun için teşekkürler hemşehrim.
lakin bahsettiğin namüsait havadan eser yok. harikulade bir kare. tebrik ediyorum. Çamlıyayla (Mersin)dan selamlar.

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer [C: 88 W: 0 N: 7] (534)
  • [2009-10-11 5:00]

Hi Mehmet,
Excellent detail and perfectly sharp photo.
Composition, colours and light are very good.
Regards Jiri.

Çok hoş bir kare, ellerinize sağlık...

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