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Blue-breasted Kingfisher


Blue-breasted Kingfisher
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2016-01-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D90, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/6.0, 1/30 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2016-01-30 6:52
Viewed: 1546
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica) is a tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in tropical west Africa. This kingfisher is essentially resident, but retreats from drier savanna areas to wetter habitats in the dry season.

This is a large kingfisher, 25 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue head, back, wing panel and tail. Its underparts are white, but it has a blue breast band. The shoulders are black. The flight of the Blue-breasted Kingfisher is rapid and direct. The large bill has a red upper mandible and black lower mandible. The legs are bright red.

Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults. The call of this noisy kingfisher is a whistled pu-pu-pu-pu-ku-ku-ku-ku.

The Blue-breasted Kingfisher is a species of a variety of well-wooded habitats. It perches quietly in deep shade whilst seeking food. It is territorial but wary. This species mainly hunts large insects, arthropods, fish and frogs, but will also eat the fruit of the Oil Palm.

It has a striking display in which the wings are spread to show the white linings. The nest is a hole in a tree termite nest. A single clutch of two round white eggs is typical.

Source: Wikipedia

There are four subspecies. This is the H. m. torquata with the brown/purple crown.
marius-secan, shaukatmi, Hotelcalifornia, lovenature, CeltickRanger, Hormon_Manyer has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Peter
Die staat er goed op
Super scherp alles te zien ,wat is die snavel groot en mooi
Prachtige kleuren en leuke compositie
groet lou

Hello Peter,
Another pin sharp image with very good clarity. Lovely capture with such impressive details. It is a wonderful capture of a bird with such nice blue feathers. Interesting and nice specie.....
Marius.

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 298 W: 21 N: 1943] (13387)
  • [2016-01-30 11:40]

Excellent capture of a beautiful kingfisher. Superb!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Peter,

Ishi

Hi, Peter. This is really a treat for bird lovers. The blue breasted Kingfisher portrait has excellent sharpness and natural colors. The depth of field, the placement of the subject in its natural habitat looks excellent. Thanks for posting and sharing.

Hello Peter,
Beautiful colored Kingfisher. Well captured. Nice BG as well as soft light. Nice light on the bird......
Thanks for sharing,
Regards,
Srikumar

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2016-01-31 14:19]

Hi Peter,magnificent capture of this blue kingfisher,imposing perspective and very good sharpness despite the distance,i like it! Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

Hello Peter
An excellent colourful portrait with fine details and composition. This Blue-breasted Kingfisher sure has an impressive beak. A lovely shot all around. Great notes too.
TFS Janice

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2016-02-04 10:54]

Hi Peter,
Fantastic portrait of a beautiful kingfisher. Gorgeous colours,
nice composition and excellent details and focus.
Regards Jiri.

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
  • [2016-02-05 8:47]

Hallo Peter,
Very nice, kingfisher ..
Colors, contrast, POV, composition and details are very good.
Best wishes,
Seyfi

Hello Peter

Excellent shot of this Blue-breasted Kingfisher, fine lateral POV and framing,
lovely light and eye-contact, great focus, sharpness, and details, TFS

Asbed

Hi Peter,
A conspicuously colored kingfisher on a perfectly composed image, very nice. I also like the smooth background, which doesn't gain attention against the bird, excellent shallow DoF. Top quality photo.
I miss your presence from TN, hopefully you return soon.
Kind regards from Ireland, László

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