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Harpooner (II.)

Sitting in his usual place, and watching for a chance to nab a fish.
This is one perfect feathery hunter, the kingfisher....
Read more

Sitting in his usual place, and watching for a chance to nab a fish.
This is one perfect feathery hunter, the kingfisher.
Read less

COOLPIX P900

settings

Aperture 65/10 ISO 250 Shutter 10/5000 Focal Length 3570/10

location

Radozda, Struga, MK

upload_date

Oct, 2023

Views

152

Likes

+44

Awards

Contender in the Photography Awards

Winner in Kingfishers Photo Challenge

Peer Award

+29

Top Choice

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

There is an old willow tree on the lake shore, right in front of the house, and it is a popular place for various birds, also kingfishers. Some branches reach out over the lake shallows, and the kingfishers would sit there watching what happens below. It is within easy reach of the camera telephoto lens, and this was one of those occasions.

Time

The photo was made on October 28th, 2023 at 10:18:34, which means, "from terrace, over coffee"...

Lighting

Exif has saved all there was, so Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec, aperture: f/6.5, sensitivity at ISO 250 with no changes in exposure values (0.00 eV). Metering Mode was set on Pattern, Flash was Off (did not fire) Focal Length extended to 357 mm, and White Balance as usually, at Daylight.

Equipment

The camera was a Nikon COOLPIX P900, shot out of hand, elbows on the table... Nothing else was neither used nor needed.

Inspiration

Kingfishers are inspirations in themselves, being so colorful, and the important other challenge was, they are very shy and usually flee whenever any person comes too near. So never mind how often I have seen and photographed a kingfisher, I will always try to make another, "better" photo - keeping in mind the old saying: "Your best photo you will make tomorrow". And as we all know, tomorrow never comes. But it is worth trying...

Editing

I just cropped the image somewhat to arrive at this here cut... nothing else needed be done.

In my camera bag

For decades already I find it easier to carry a photo vest than any photo bag. It is more than enough to take along whatever I want or need for my photo session, walk or trip. My photo bags usually stay home or in the car, to keep the equipment I'm not using at the moment. The tripod has its permanent place in the car. My vest pockets usually contain two cameras. Regardless of which is the "main" camera, one of those is always some waterproof model, if the weather plays up or when I find something interesting in the shallows. Nowadays I usually use Nikon P900 or Sony RX100m7, and the waterproof backup is an Olympus TG-2 or a Paralenz DiveCam. Other vest pockets keep the spare batteries, ND and CPL filters, and one small camera clamp which can be fixed to almost anything. In many cases this can replace a tripod. The vest has deep pockets for longer lenses, and these usually hold a small water bottle, a sandwich, or a bar of chocolate - if I plan on being out for the whole day. I always pack about three meters length of paracord or similar strong, thin rope, one hefty pocket knife, and a lighter. Much can be improvised with these if need be. Recently I made it even easier, and take the essentials along in a waist pouch; one variable-volume McKinley. In the Outdoors, simplicity and comfort are my most important requirements!

Feedback

Frankly? Just the usual three things. 1) Always have a camera handy, 2) Location, location, location!, and 3) Be inconspicous and patient. With some birds there will never be any other way! So - Good Light, and Good Luck!

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Harpooner (II.)

Sitting in his usual place, and watching for a chance to nab a fish. This is one perfect feathery hunter, the kingfisher.... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow LookSee

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Sitting in his usual place, and watching for a chance to nab a fish.
This is one perfect feathery hunter, the kingfisher....
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.