Kingfisher 1
Malachite kingfisher
Malachite kingfisher
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Jan, 2015Views
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Awards
Legendary Award
Summer 2020
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Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken from the Dr Mike Jankowitz hide at giraffe dam on a private game farm in South Africa. The area is called the low-veld and is in the pristine wildlife area not to far from Kruger National Park. The dam is home to many different species of kingfisher as the dam is well maintained and in dry seasons has water pumped to it to ensure the local wildlife has water. Other kingfishers that frequent the dam include the giant, pygmy, pied and the woodlands.Time
The photograph was taken around midday in the shady section of the dam with the hide breaking direct sunlight. This was shortly before we packed up for the day and returned tot he farmhouse and was a wonderful way to finish for the morning as these birds are very difficult to photograph. Their preferred location was on the other-side of the dam on some dead trees.Lighting
The area was not in direct sunlight but the sun was pretty high as it was around 13H00.It was not possible to change lenses for a bigger aperture as the opportunity is very rare so I upped the ISO and changed the exposure speed to accommodate for the bird perching. This was fortunate as about half a minute later he took off and returned to the opposite side of the dam. On lighting and settings I mostly shoot in raw with aperture or exposure priority depending on action or still shots. I rely on rear button focus withEquipment
The camera was the Canon 70D with the 100 400 zoom lens. For this shot the camera was off tripod as the bird was perched around the side of the hide outside from the normal area. I had to hang out the hide a bit around the corner to get the shot and angle down.Inspiration
When on the farm we go to a prime location at one of the dams with food and drink and books etc and we wait for any wildlife opportunity. It is a great way to chill in the wild and be able to be close to nature. On this day we were hoping to photograph pied kingfishers fishing (which we did get) but this was a very nice close to the morning.Editing
I always try and do minimal post processing as I do not believe in "Photo-shop-ography" but still respect there is a need for some processing as I shoot in raw. This shot was cropped with noise compensation due to high ISO and the general raw processing as in sharpening and highlights shadows. I mostly use Canon DPP software for the raw processing and lens compensation and then use either Potoshop or Faststone for some final tweaks depending if it is for web and or some other site with different size formats.In my camera bag
The equipment I have in my bag depends on the situation. At these hides there are a number of different opportunities. Sometimes animals are moving fast sometimes slow sometimes close and sometimes far. I can also carry a lot to the dam from the parking so I come fully prepared. In this case two bodies (Crop and full frame). Three lenses 400 Prime, 100 400 5.6 zoom and a 70 200 2.8 zoom. I have 1.4 and 2X converters and remote releases. Sometimes I have a small tablet to tether via wifi and shoot and focus in live view for nesting and perching birds for better focus. Obviously tripod as well as beanbags.Spare batteries are always a must as well as a good bird-book.Feedback
Always adopt the boy scout motto and be prepared. Try and anticipate and always move slowly and quietly. Noise and movement even in a hide will chase the birds away. Be prepared to spend time on many occasions by coming back to a hot spot and learn from each experience re location technique and other photographic aspects. Use a tripod or mono-pod or beanbag for best stability.
