European Kingfisher

**birder** · #1 10-25-2020, 10:20 AM

I really enjoy building these if no one noticed, some models do require tinkering ie modeling adjustments, this one needs the most. Because of this I've built it a few times to figure out some solutions and as in his other models Johan's realism continues to shine. What I ended up doing is enlarging the head slightly, less than 5%, but was enough. That he included a little fish (stickleback?) , which sets this model up for a fun display was really fun too, I happened to have these parts for this in the shop so was able to make this without having to buy anything. I spent quite a bit of time on the branch, I'm trying to duplicate with artistic license a branch that I find outside, so can avoid too much symmetry and try to add some realistic parts to go with the realism of these birds.

**Erik Zwaan** · #2 10-25-2020, 10:56 AM

Great build Glen! Johan is fond of king fishers and he has designed them in quite a few different poses. This one is my favorite, I made it once in a slightly altered way, with the beak open and the small fish held in between. Unfortunately, the model didn't survive. Perhaps time to try again. Keep on building those Scherft birds!

Regards,
Erik

**birder** · #3 10-25-2020, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik Zwaan

Great build Glen! Johan is fond of king fishers and he has designed them in quite a few different poses. This one is my favorite, I made it once in a slightly altered way, with the beak open and the small fish held in between. Unfortunately, the model didn't survive. Perhaps time to try again. Keep on building those Scherft birds!

Regards,
Erik

Thank you Eric, if you do would be nice to see, the Kingfisher has nice colors and most of Johan's models are surprisingly small. The Belted Kingfisher is quite a bit larger, which is the kingfisher I am familiar with, but I have his Kookaburra.. Hope to do more, working on converting one to another bird, the Yellowhammer. Fun, doing new drawings with watercolor.

**Vermin_King** · #4 10-25-2020, 06:54 PM

Looking really good, sir

**rockpaperscissor** · #5 10-26-2020, 07:00 AM

Beautiful! I love the base as well. Very creative. I saw this guy's American cousin the other day, perched on a branch overlooking the Wappingers Creek. There are always birders there watching the bald eagles, cranes, herons and egrets that are common visitors.

**Michael Mash** · #6 10-26-2020, 07:08 AM

Looks like a hungry bird.
Nice color on this one Glen.
You do fine work with the curved pieces.

**birder** · #7 10-26-2020, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermin_King

Looking really good, sir

I thought you shared an interest in birds...

**birder** · #8 10-26-2020, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockpaperscissor

Beautiful! I love the base as well. Very creative. I saw this guy's American cousin the other day, perched on a branch overlooking the Wappingers Creek. There are always birders there watching the bald eagles, cranes, herons and egrets that are common visitors.

Thanks this was fun, and I get building on one and can't stop. Sounds like a nice area for birds might be a good spot for bird pictures..

**birder** · #9 10-26-2020, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Mash

Looks like a hungry bird.
Nice color on this one Glen.
You do fine work with the curved pieces.

Yeah, I thought adding the fish to this was a bit of humor by the designer

This blue is much brighter than our kingfishers, the brightest I think is the Malachite kingfisher which would be a possible redraw for this model, I bet KevinWS has seen them.

**N96HBK** · #10 10-26-2020, 09:46 PM

Fantastic bird!! The colours are absolutely beautiful, I admire how neatly you build these wonderful creatures.