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Another Kingfisher


Another Kingfisher
Photo Information
Copyright: Elroyie David (elroyie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 299 W: 87 N: 1482] (6439)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-01-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF100-400 IS L, Kenko Pro 300 1.4x Teleconvert
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): wildlife of israel2, Kingfishers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-23 15:16
Viewed: 6856
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This one was taken in 'Hhula' in the north of Israel.
This picture is almost a full frame, I succeeded to approach very near to this lovely little cteature using some branches that were between it and me as a hyding wall.
I am posting the 'story' of approaching to the kingfisher as a workshop.

As you see I used very long 'zoom', that was with a little help from my monopod.
About the Kingfisher or Alcedo atthis
Sized about 16 cm.

Their brilliant blue upperparts, deep red underparts, white face patches and unique shape make Kingfishers impossible to misidentify.

Breeds along rivers, streams and lakes. Winters along lakes, rivers and estuaries; occasionally on rocky shores.

A fairly widespread but localised resident throughout most of England and Wales, although scarce in Scotland. Usually found in freshwater areas, although some move to the coast in winter, when food is more scarce.

Widespread in most of Europe, generally easier to see at reedbeds and marshes than along rivers. Trips by punt through the Danube Delta (Romania) or the Sultan Marshes (Turkey) guarantee lots of views and they are also easy to see around the seashores of Crete.

This was taken from www.birdguides.com
pompey, mogens-j, Luc, Callie, bartove has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To hvr_oosterzele: About the eyeelroyie 1 01-24 03:34
To ornis: Thank Uelroyie 1 01-23 16:05
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Critiques [Translate]

Very nice Elroyie,.
Beautiful, it's on my wish list.
It's quite common here but very difficult to get a shot of.
Great pose, colours and very good exposure.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • pompey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 144 W: 4 N: 746] (2774)
  • [2005-01-23 15:39]

I agree with Gert, i have seen them often but never managed a good shot, this one is superb.
Good colours,clarity and texture.
Great note.
Well caught!

I wish I could get one as good as this one, Elroyie. We have very few here, and very difficult to approach. This one is superb, nice pose, perfect BG, and exposure. Very professional. No nits. Do you have the focal lenght in your EXIF file? Just for info.

Nice one, a little catch light in the eye would further improve it.

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 598 W: 11 N: 72] (436)
  • [2005-01-23 21:57]

Beautiful shot,got very sharp.Wish the eye is clear&would be been amazing shot.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1538 W: 5 N: 2240] (12636)
  • [2005-01-23 22:23]

En voyant ta photo j'ai hâte à cet été pour photographier le Martin pêcheur d'amérique. Un beau spécimen moin coloré que celui là . Bonne photo nette et bien saturé. Merci et bonne journée.

Believe me, I have tried so many times to get into shooting range of one of these without luck. Now with my new 500 mm lens I hope for better luck.

Great capture Elroyie. Excellent sharpness and lovely pose. Colours are just spot on. Lots of details in the plumage. Only nit - and it is a personal matter - I would crop off about half of the empty space in the left side to bring the bird more out of focus and into some 1/3 position. I think it would be great.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1973 W: 119 N: 2582] (8439)
  • [2005-01-24 11:26]

Yes Elroyie this is good,
When you look to my near miss photo- kingfisher i this one sais enough, good capture, good pof and dof, very good job.

Great shot superb bird.
Well done TFS.

Very great shot Elroyie
In a friendly way Christophe

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-01-25 1:00]

A delectable picture, Elroyie.
Confratulations and thanks a lot.

Great picture Elroie. The pose is perfect as are sharpness and colors. I would crop an inch on the left to put the bird off center.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2005-02-03 16:15]

Elroyie, cute and beautiful shot. These birds are very beautiful, and you did a great job here. Nice composition and DOF.

Hi Elroyie
As K'fishers go, this one is the Europeen Beauty, and you nailed him very well here. Nice pose. IMO, I would crop off a bit on the left, to place him more on a 1/5 than a 1/3. This ia personal preference. I would alos have cloned-out the reeds in the BG.

Great shot! What's there to say, it's a really good capture - I'd be happy with a shot half this good - they're rather elusive around here, I haven't even seen one in the last couple of years. Mind you I've only been out seriously looking twice ;) No comments about the photography itself, it's on the nail as far as I'm concerned.

The only area I might be tempted to experiment a bit more is with the post-processing side of things. If you use the Shadow/Highlight tool you can bring out the detail around the eye better, and I think a little more sharpening would give it some real snap - I know that sharpening's a matter of taste though... Excellent capture :-D

Good colours,clarity and texture.very good job.Eyal

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