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Curious Malachite (108)
soccer

(1965)

On a trip to the Kruger National Park last year, I was eagerly awaiting my visit to a regular dam where, when you are lucky enough, there are some water birds and even Hippo to photograph.

There were several species of stork that day and crocodile. To my amazement I did not see any hippo at all. After patiently waiting to take some pics of anything close enough to my car, I notice the a very small bird land on a thorny bush, right next to the water's edge. As I approached with utmost caution, I saw that it was a Malachite Kingfisher. It had been on my list to get close enough to for over 2 years! Taking a chance by setting up my lense with a 2x Teleconvertor, I approached and there he was.....

My first attempt at using PS for my pics. I cropped it a little and attempted to sharpen it ever so slightly. I also cloned out a dust spec that was on the CCD and I only noticed it afterwards. I hope to get the hang of it and read up more as I go along.

Malachite Kingfisher

The Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata) is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate related movements.

This is a small kingfisher, 13 cm in length. The general colour of the upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue. The head has a short crest of black and blue feathers, which gives rise to the scientific name. The face, cheeks and underparts are rufous and there are white patches on the throat and rear neck sides.

The bill is black in young birds and reddish orange in adults; the legs are bright red. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

This is a common species of reeds and rank vegetation near slow moving water or ponds. The flight of the Malachite Kingfisher is rapid, the short rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies low over water.

The bird has regular perches or stands from which it fishes. These are usually low over the water. It sits upright, its tail pointed downwards. It drops suddenly with a splash and usually returns at once with a struggling captive.

Large food items are beaten on a bough or rail; small fish and insects are promptly swallowed. A fish is usually lifted and carried by its middle, but its position is changed, sometimes by tossing it into the air, before it is swallowed head downwards. Fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans are eaten.

The nest is a tunnel in a sandy bank, usually, though not always, over water. Both birds excavate. Most burrows incline upward before the nesting chamber is reached.

There is no nest, but three or four clutches of 3-6 round white eggs are placed on a litter of fish bones and disgorged pellets.

The call of this kingfisher is then a short shrill seek. The breeding song is a chuckling li-cha-cha-chui-chui.

Altered Image #4

soccer

(1965)
Increase contrast, sharpness and crop
Edited by:joeydrops

(1400)

Hi Sheriff. I really like the composition of your photo with the space on the left where the Kingfisher is facing. I've just cropped the top space off to put more focus on the beautiful bird. I've also increased the contrast and sharpness a bit and then blurred the background. I hope you like it :)
Claudia

Altered Image #3

soccer

(1965)
Corel Paintshop ProX
Edited by:LCannon

(3093)

I cropped out some of the blurry branch I didn't like, the a touch of contrast added, and +6 hue saturation. Then I used the sharpening brush just of the parts of his feathers I thought needed it and the branch. I hope you like the result.

Altered Image #2

soccer

(1965)
Elements 3
Edited by:marhowie

(302)

Hi Sheriff,
Minimal crop, USM, and BG blur.
Howard

Altered Image #1

soccer

(1965)
cropping
Edited by:edal

(1849)

some crop from left-up-right... Then resize.

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