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Pied Kingfisher (PAW 9/52)
Pied Kingfisher (PAW 9/52)
HarveyG


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Sigma 100-300mm f/4.0 EX IF HSM for Nikon
Location: Mankwe Dam, Pilanesberg, North West, RSA
Date: Feb 25, 2013
Aperture: 8.0
ISO: 800
Shutter: 1/800
Galleries: Portraiture, Birds
Date Uploaded: Feb 27, 2013

Viewed: 685
Comments: 13
Favorites: 0

 (JABS-Just Another Bird on a Stick) Once getting to them in the wild, these Kings are "reasonably" easy to photograph when on a branch, however the eye, which is solid black and lies inside a black mask of feathers is very hard to get separation from those feathers. Mostly the eye is invisible in photographs.
A day of waiting and timing the light to get this shot with that eye/feather separation and smooth BG... Image is un-cropped (Original 4928px) but re-sized to 960px with some Curves and a little Topaz Labs DeNoise 5 applied to the background which is dry veld (grass) about 400 meters behind the bird.

Here's one in flight:


Taken during a long weekend wildlife photo-shoot in the magnificent Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, a Big 5 (Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo) Game Reserve about 2 hours drive North West of Johannesburg. We stayed at the Bakgatla Campsite in the North of the reserve which was busy due school long w/e but sufficient and affordable. It was hot, in the late 30's and early 40's C(90-110 F) It is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts particularly birders.

Any comment or critique; complimentary or critical are welcome and appreciated.
Questions about gear, technique etc. also welcome.

This image is © copyrighted 2013 by Harvey Grohmann. Duplication, publication, copying is strictly forbidden and protected by law. To obtain pricing and consent contact me via Photocommission.com

for Photograph a Week 2013

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AuthorThread
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D
 05/19/2013 12:28:32 AM
Beautiful and srisply detailed capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2013 08:23:14 PM
Very beautiful shot Harvey! Love the full size too. And I learned a new thing today...JABS. Love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D500
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 03/07/2013 10:04:52 PM
Beautiful. I love the little tuft on the top of his head. Great details and I love how he pops from the background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-60D
Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II
03/07/2013 01:50:33 PM
Lovely pied kingfisher
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 03/06/2013 12:34:06 PM
I don't know how I missed this one either, Harvey. It's quite lovely - especially with that golden background to set off his sharp black and white coloring. Nice capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1
Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro
03/05/2013 07:04:42 PM
Not sure how I missed this one, because I try to comment on everything....

In fact, I remember looking at the image and commenting. Maybe I forgot the post button. Anyway....

Nice job getting such a great close up of the bird. I love the sharpness of the bird and the buttery background. I take it that the spot on the wing is a little blown spot?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-80D
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
 03/05/2013 04:03:05 PM
Very nice Harvey. The eye and face is spot on.
I like the BG a lot. Just that little bit of variation in colour really does it for me. And looking at detail, the small lichen on the branch is a nice touch too :-).

You should be really pleased with this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
OM System OM-5
Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko
03/05/2013 12:57:00 PM
Gosh he looks content. Wonderful capture that shows well against the b/g here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 03/05/2013 01:26:37 AM
This is so lovely! The smooth, colourful background setS off his pied plumage beautifully. The eye is nicely distinct.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D
 03/02/2013 12:28:04 PM
Beautiful bird.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 02/28/2013 05:36:15 PM
I really like kingfishers, they all seem to be so boldly decorated. I like your description, and indeed the eye is nicely visible.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z6II
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
 02/28/2013 11:31:12 AM
Amazing image, really love this one: his posture, sitting on that branch (noce DOF on the branch as well) and I do like the background colour in this one, the Kingfisher really stands out. And the reflection in his eye makes is complete.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D300s
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 02/27/2013 12:25:20 PM
This is absolutely lovely. The bird stands out against the creamy background. Nice crisp focus. Stunning!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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