| Side-by-Side Top-Bottom |
| Actual Image
The last drop... Full Frame (70)
elroyie
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 394 W: 104 N: 1519]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (6403) | First I want to thank you all for the your words on my former post, Thank you.
As I promissed in my former post The last drop... this is the full frame of that picture, well, almost the full frame.
Descriptive notes.
The smallest of the kingfishers to be found in most of its range, has a long bill, and is blue-green above and orange below. 15-16 cm, 19-26 g, wingspan 23-25 cm.
The flash of iridescent blue as this Kingfisher flies along a river is an exciting experience. Male nominate race rufous loral spot, black eyestripe, rufous ear coverts, white neckstripe.
Crown and malarstripe barred blue and black. Upperparts and tail brilliant azure-blue, wings dark greenish-blue with paler blue spots. White chin and throat, rufous underparts. Bill black, gape red, iris dark brown, legs and feet orange red.
Distinguished from similar small Alcedo species by rufous ear coverts. Female like male, but lower mandible orange-red with black tip.
Race bengalensis smaller, brighter and ispida slightly larger, bluer crown, darker rufous underparts.
Race taprobanasimilar in size to previous, but upperparts bright blue, and floresiana darker blues on uppperparts, some blue feathers on rufous ear coverts.
Race hispidoides ear coverts blue, purple tinges on hindneck and rump and salomonensis ear coverts blue, more extensive purple-blue upperparts.
Habitat.
Usually still or gently flowing water with plentiful small fish, and with reeds, rushes or shrubs on the banks for perches, are essential aspects of the habitat.
Small rivers, streams, canals and ditches preferred to open waterbodies, but sometimes uses lakes, ponds and flooded gravel pits. In winter becomes more coastal, frequenting also estuaries, and rocky seashores.
Food and Feeding
Main diet based on fish, include roach, trout, roach grayling, barbel, carp and many other species. Also takes aquatic insects, also flies, butterflies, amphibians, crayfish, prawns, shrimps and isopods in winter. Very occasionally feeds on berries and stems of reed.
Perches for long periods, usually 1-2 m above the water, periodically turning around and bobbing head and body to gauge distance when food sighted. Dives steeply and catches prey below water to maximum depth of 1 m. Using its buoyancy and flapping the wings.
Breeding.
Monogamous, solitary breeder. Territories defended by calling in flight and by displaying from perch, where sits quietly, crouches and stretches, swaying body from side to side, bill agape and wings drooping, before chasing off and intruder.
Nest usually in sandy, stone-free streamside bank, quarry, sandpit, peat catting or earth bank, occasionally in hole in wall, rotten tree stump. Both sexes excavate, taking 1-2 weeks, tunnel straight usually 50-100 cm long. 6-7 eggs, both sexes incubate during day, but only female at night, incubating period 19-21 days. |
|
|
| Altered Image #1
elroyie
(6403)
Enhancement
Edited by:Fisher
(8915) |
In photoshop elements 2
Crop, adjusted the colors in levels, a slight USM and bright/contrast to make it pop, frames. Just for something to do. :) :)
Mike |
|
|
