Azure Kingfisher

[wigz]

Taken at Blue Hole near Armidale earlier this year.



and with a crayfish



Both with Nikon D800 and Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 + 1.4 TC

[Phoenix]

Number one really shows off how striking beautiful this bird is. Love the soft background too.
Bird with food bonus points. Is that an eye membrane closing?
I'm impressed with the what you can to with a teleconverter.

[wigz]

Thanks Jo,

The 120-300 works quite well with the 1.4 TC, although the focus can be a bit inconsistent at longer distances. I sometimes use a 2x also but you lose some IQ and 2 stops.

Not sure about the nictitating membrane, but at least it wasn't right across the eye. I've had a few good shots spoiled by milky eyes.

[Phoenix]

Nicitating... new word for me to forget :-) as hard as I might try to remember it.
I have a 300mm 2.8 Sigma, love the lense but when I tried the 2x teleconverter and was really very unhappy with the results. I was trying it out when a massive coot vs swamp hen fight was occuring.. threw every image into the delete bin and vowed never again.

[Isac]

Stunning colours wigz. Well captured. Nice to get any wild animal having a feed, especially crayfish.

[wigz]

Thanks Isac, they were also catching fish but perched too far away for a good shot. Seemed very efficient at catching both.

[Alan]

Colourful little birds. Not one I have a photo of. Well done

[wigz]

Thanks Alan, These are the first I have, and very happy to get them too.

[avkomp]

would have to be happy to get these as a first off.
background of the first makes it my fav of these two.
they certainly smaller than you reckon the first time you see them.

[Ironwood]

Nice shots Alan, you should be happy with them, I have been trying to get a decent shot of them for ages without much luck, and I have them virtually on my doorstep.

That Sigma does pretty good by the looks.

[wigz]

Yes Brad, it does a pretty good job although focusing can be inconsistent, more so at longer distances. Works well with a 1.4 TC. Was reasonable priced (relatively) when I bought it. 300 is usually a bit short which is why I often use it with a teleconverter for birds.