Mr Exquisite

[Wild Images]

To me, this little kingfisher is one of the most beautiful creatures upon the earth. The Malachite Kingfisher,<I> Alcedo cristata </I>is at 13-14 cm ,the second smallest of our 10 SA kingfishers. Kingfishers belong to the <I> Alcedindae </I>Family with 93 species worldwide. Africa is home to 19 species. These are small to medium sized hole-nesting birds, with heavy, often brightly coloured bills. They are either aquatic or frequent forested and wooded habitats, feeding on fish, insects, and small land vertebrates. This picture was taken at Marievale, near Srings in the East Rand of Gauteng.
This exquisite little birdie has been on my best loved for years, and will stay there. - The ultimate is still to nail him with a prey item in the bill, but beggars cannot be choosers, so I shot what was available. I trust you will enjoy Mr Exquisite with me.

[Ian]

Re: Mr Exquisite

To me, this little kingfisher is one of the most beautiful creatures upon the earth. The Malachite Kingfisher,<I> Alcedo cristata </I>is at 13-14 cm ,the second smallest of our 10 SA kingfishers. Kingfishers belong to the <I> Alcedindae </I>Family with 93 species worldwide. Africa is home to 19 species. These are small to medium sized hole-nesting birds, with heavy, often brightly coloured bills. They are either aquatic or frequent forested and wooded habitats, feeding on fish, insects, and small land vertebrates. This picture was taken at Marievale, near Srings in the East Rand of Gauteng.
This exquisite little birdie has been on my best loved for years, and will stay there. - The ultimate is still to nail him with a prey item in the bill, but beggars cannot be choosers, so I shot what was available. I trust you will enjoy Mr Exquisite with me.

He/she is a fantastic looking little bird. The colour of its plumage is gorgeous and those bright orange feet and beak are amazing. I'm sure you will get your 'feed' shot eventually

Ian

[spl]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Great shot - sharp and good detail and dynamic range and most important of all a twinkle in the eye. They are superb little birds adding a sparkle of brilliance to the often washed out colours of the African veld.

[StuartR]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Cracking shot. The neutral background probably helps bring out the colours even more - was it natural?

If you want to see someone who has obviously put the hours in on Kingfishers in the UK have a look here: http://www.andyrouse.co.uk/overview....Page=20&side=1 (there's 2 pages to marvel at).

I'm a country boy from deepest Kent who spent half his childhood and teenage years shootin' and fishin' but I think I've only ever seen 2 kingfishers in the wild in my whole life

[Tinka]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Fantastic, beautiful and yes " Exquisite"
Sharp clear and colorful.

[Pol]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Cracking shot. The neutral background probably helps bring out the colours even more - was it natural?

I'm a country boy from deepest Kent who spent half his childhood and teenage years shootin' and fishin' but I think I've only ever seen 2 kingfishers in the wild in my whole life

You'll also be interested in the suberb Kingfisher shots from Mick Johnson ... See his website HERE then go to his Gallery, look in his 'Bird' section and there are several amazing shots of Kingfishers, some with the bird taking off and also with fish in its beak.

He spends days/weeks watching and waiting, after setting things up very carefully and also leaving 'bait' to tempt the birds to where he might get good shots. I believe he left young, live fish in a special pool for some of the shots - he also has the special license required to get near enough for some types of shots.

I've sent a message to Mick via his website and am hoping he might find time to register and explain more about his methods himself. Fingers crossed he'll drop in at some point in the near future.

Incidentally - he also has some useful and interesting ideas about making accesories - see his "How to Make" link, though I note it's not yet completed.

Pol

[Wild Images]

Re: Mr Exquisite

You'll also be interested in the suberb Kingfisher shots from Mick Johnson ... See his website HERE then go to his Gallery, look in his 'Bird' section and there are several amazing shots of Kingfishers, some with the bird taking off and also with fish in its beak.

He spends days/weeks watching and waiting, after setting things up very carefully and also leaving 'bait' to tempt the birds to where he might get good shots. I believe he left young, live fish in a special pool for some of the shots - he also has the special license required to get near enough for some types of shots.

I've sent a message to Mick via his website and am hoping he might find time to register and explain more about his methods himself. Fingers crossed he'll drop in at some point in the near future.

Incidentally - he also has some useful and interesting ideas about making accesories - see his "How to Make" link, though I note it's not yet completed.

Pol

Hi guys
thanks for the comments. Andy R is a professional, one of the best in the UK, I know his work, but I am NOT in his class. Also, we can shoot 'fishers when and where we want to, not like in the UK at all. The thing is to find them, and find them sitting still long enough.
I live in the big, wicket city, but had a Giant Kingfisher on my fence yesterday - the 4th time I have seen him - my neighbour keeps Koi, need I say more? I even caught the Grey Heron with a Koi in the bill here once.
I have seen the baited pool pics, with the fish in the bill, lots of work, would do it if I could. But horses for courses, all my 'fisher pics are wild and free, no lure to get them near.
Regards
Callie

[Pops]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Tinka said it all.
I have yet to see one never mind getting any shots.

[Tom]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Mr Exquisite is exquisite and has been exquisitely photographed.
What I really enjoy about it is the clarity of his little feet/claws, the way they embrace the stem as if holding on for dear life. The expression on his face is really cute, as if to confirm his apprehension. He's a pet.
Tom

[Josh Bear]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Great pictures I love the sharpness.

Best Regards

Josh

[Ian]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Nicely put, Tom - I was drawn to exactly the same things as you.

If there is one possible improvement I would like to see it's the background. On the one hand it does let the bird dominate, but the greyness, although probably perfectly natural, means the picture might have a grey wall as the background. Some nice natural blurred countryside would have finished this off perfectly.

But I really am just nitpicking

Ian

[Wild Images]

Re: Mr Exquisite

Nicely put, Tom - I was drawn to exactly the same things as you.

If there is one possible improvement I would like to see it's the background. On the one hand it does let the bird dominate, but the greyness, although probably perfectly natural, means the picture might have a grey wall as the background. Some nice natural blurred countryside would have finished this off perfectly.

But I really am just nitpicking

Ian

Hi Ian
I have shot many 'fishers, and the best BG for them is actually green! What you see here is the water behind it, not the sky. If I was a PS fundi, I could change the BG , but WYSIWYG. These fishers do not look good on an OOG reeds BG, I have tried, But I will post one for you to look. Great to have discussions about posts, to exchange ideas. I like it. Regards
Callie