Green Kingfisher


Posted by Alan Murphy on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:15 pm

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Green Kingfisher Lower Rio Grande Valley, TX


Nikon F5, 600 F4, 1.4X, Provia 100F.

This was a shot I had invisioned many months before I went to shoot it. I new of a pond where both male and female were using on a regular basis. I knew where the sun came up and what the background would look like and where I should set up my blind. I spent half a day scouting the right perch. After work one friday, I went home and packed up all my gear and the long branch that I planned to use. I then drove 7 hours all night to be in place at 5:30 am before the sun came up. I set up the perch in the water and set up my blind, all with light from my truck headlights. Once set up, I then settled down for a long wait. I only had to wait about 20 minutes before this female was on the perch. I had in my viewfinder the exact shot I had seen in my mind months earlier.

The male never came in but I managed to shoot about 10 rolls of this female in early morning light. In bird photography, we don't always get to carry out the shot that is the vision in our minds and that is why this shot is very special to me. Everything just came together. I wish you could see the slide as my scanner is awful.
Alan Murphy
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by mwagner1 on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:21 pm
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This is a sweet shot!!! No nits here!!!

Cheers,

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by PParker on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:24 pm
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Beautiful shot Allen. I bet you felt good after getting your transparencies back from processing. The drive and sleepless night were worth it in my opinion.
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by Robert Kemmerlin on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:48 pm
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Alan,

Your posts show the effort you put into your photography. This shot is great, certainly worth the sleepless night. Thanks for the inspiration.
Robert Kemmerlin

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by E.J. Peiker on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:49 pm
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This is my #1 most desired bird to photograph. I have gone to shoot them numerous times and have had zero luck - argh!!! I'm glad somebody is photographing these birds and doing them justice :) this is an excellent shot.
 

by Laura Stiefel on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:49 pm
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I bet the slide is to die for. This is still an excellent job of a very cool bird. I love the green tones.
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by Bruce Sherman on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:52 pm
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Alan,
I am impressed! I have never gotten anywhere near a full frame shot of these guys. Of course, I have never made the preparations you did. People who have never tried to get a shot like this have no idea what a great accomplishment this is.
 

by NDCheryl on Sun Sep 07, 2003 4:57 pm
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Thanks for posting another excellent image and the story behind its making. You were well rewarded for your efforts.
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by Jim Zipp on Sun Sep 07, 2003 5:48 pm
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Alan, What an awsome shot! Pretty much perfect in my book. The whites have a bit of a purplish cast to them but that could be my monitor as I have been haveing a few problems with it lately! Very cool image.
Jim Zipp
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by Jim Neiger on Sun Sep 07, 2003 6:08 pm
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Great image! I like everything about it. Congrats! I know exactly what you mean about envisioning the shot you want. When it actualy happens, it's a real high.
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Last edited by Jim Neiger on Sun Sep 07, 2003 6:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 

by Bob Ettinger on Sun Sep 07, 2003 6:14 pm
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Alan,

WOW, great shot, clean BG and great detail in the bird.
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by Christoph Belanger on Sun Sep 07, 2003 6:31 pm
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Wow. I saw these guys in Peru along the Amazon and know how difficult it is to get these guys. This is just plain AMAZING! Wow.
 

by Harvey Edelman on Sun Sep 07, 2003 6:33 pm
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Stunning!!!
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by Chris Fagyal on Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:19 pm
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Alan,

This is absolutely stunning. No nits whatsoever. Your setups are what dreams are made of.
Chris Fagyal
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by Jim Neely on Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:42 pm
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This scan looks pretty good to me. If the slide is a bunch better it must be really wonderful.

Thanks for sharing and the story that goes with it.

jn
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by Jill on Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:46 pm
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A dream of a shot accomplished to perfection, Alan. Superb!!!
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by Matthew Whitley on Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:04 pm
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Alan,
WOW! :shock: This is awesome! This is by far my favoriite shot of yours... your hard work really paid off here. Awesome.
Matthew
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by Jim Urbach on Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:12 pm
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Alan,

Just fantastic. Fantastic composition. Knowing how hard you worked to get this image is most informative. I remember seeing the male from a distance my one time in the lower Rio Grand valley, but he was not approachable.

Jim
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by Jim Probst on Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:19 pm
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Alan,

Excellently executed shot! Congratulations on your success!
Jim Probst
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by RichardMittleman/Gon2Foto on Sun Sep 07, 2003 11:27 pm
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Wonderful image and I really appreciate the explanation of what went into achieving it.
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