Ringed Kingfisher Launching from a Tárcoles Branch

A Ringed Kingfisher pushes from a bare riverside branch, crest raised and barred tail spread beneath the chestnut belly at Tárcoles River in Costa Rica. This large Neotropical kingfisher carries a shaggy crest, heavy bill, white neck ring and chestnut underparts. The exposure of 1/4000 sec, f/5.6 and ISO 640 freezes the decisive body position and separates the principal wing and tail feathers while retaining only fine traces of motion at the fastest edges; the photograph was made in natural light without flash.