Same kingfisher and swallow as before but this time both the perch and background are different and the setting is much less cluttered.
Four days ago I posted a series of photos of a Barn Swallow repeatedly attacking a Belted Kingfisher near a mountain stream. Soon after that series was taken the kingfisher flew to a perch that was closer to me and tried to resume her fishing routine but the swallow wasn’t about to let that happen.
This time the kingfisher was closer to me so I never captured the swallow during the attack because there wasn’t enough room in the frame but I think the kingfisher’s reactions tell the story well enough.
The following four photos are sequential shots in a burst without any skips.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Just prior to the attack she had her back to me so I didn’t include any of those shots. Here she has just spotted the swallow coming at her from her right so she’s in the process of assuming a defensive posture.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
After so many previous attacks the young kingfisher was becoming pretty adept at the fancy footwork required to…
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
turn on her perch quickly enough to meet the incoming feathered missile. Her stubby little legs weren’t much help but she still managed to get turned in time.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Based on her posture and the direction she’s looking by the time this fourth shot in the burst was taken the swallow had veered off to its left at the last second and beat a retreat.
There were additional attacks both before and after this series was taken, even after the kingfisher had moved to a third perch. That swallow was nothing if it wasn’t persistent. Each attack was quick, very quick – this series of four shots was taken in only four tenths of a second.
Action like this keeps the photographer on his/her toes, especially since both the timing of the attacks and the directions they came from were completely unpredictable.
Ron
Notes:
- Yes, this perch will look familiar to many viewers. It’s been a favorite perch of several kingfishers I’ve photographed at this location this spring and summer.
- Not that it matters but my favorite photo in this series is the first one. I think the pose from that angle is both unusual and interesting and I love the richness of the kingfisher’s dorsal blue-grays.
- It’s difficult to reliably sex young kingfishers like this one but I think it looks more like a female so I just went with it.
- Apologies if you’re growing weary of kingfisher photos but I can only post what I photograph and lately kingfishers have been unusually cooperative for me
How lucky can a photographer get? I always go back and hope for a better shot when something nice occurs with a messy background, as your first episodes did. Only rarely do I end up with the better shots. These are delightful!
“How lucky can a photographer get? ”
I know, Nancy. I keep figuratively pinching myself thinking this can’t be happening. But it has, quite a few times lately.
A brilliant series, even without the attacker appearing in any of them. And I’m a fan of the second photo with the left leg and wings up — and that wonderful punk-rock crown! But those are stubby little legs, aren’t they? No matter —Kingfishers are great-looking birds!
Chris, the closest I came to getting the swallow in a photo while she was on this perch was one blurry swallow wing poking into the frame.
I’m with the band! There is no such thing as too many kingfisher posts. That first shot puts me in mind of a queen sweeping her train back. 😀 Too much Game of Thrones, probably.
“Too much Game of Thrones, probably”
I’ll have to take your word for it, Arwen. I’ve never watched it.
Poor little Kingfisher — she was just trying to get some breakfast. These are all fabulous shots, Ron. Perfect light to make all her colors pop. You are most skilled to get all those clear shots. I’ve been trying to get some pictures of the new batch of kittens (much slower than a Kingfisher!) and I mostly end up with the wrong kind of fuzzy.
And as for apologizing? No need! 🙂 This is your blog and those who don’t like what you post can just change the channel. The rest of us will visit, eager for whatever eye candy is in store!
I felt sorry for her too, Marty. That swallow was relentless.
That’s just it – I don’t want to force folks to ‘change the channel’ so I have to be careful.
OK, first, NO, kingfishers ROCK so there’s NO getting weary of them! Same as the closeups, they tickle my fancy, too!
The first photo really took my breath away. The sheer beauty of the feathers literally made me gasp. But the second–WOW! That fancy footwork, accomplished so fast our eyes would NEVER have seen it, made that THUS sound echo in my consciousness. Yeah, NOPE! Another situation where I’m a lesser being. Oddly, I’m good with that. It takes the pressure off of being human 😉
Thank you, Laura.
I’m really enjoying your recent kingfisher photos. They really capture the beauty of these birds. The shots also manage to slow down the amazing reaction speeds and agility to something we humans can appreciate. I’m happy they’ve been cooperative for you.
“I’m happy they’ve been cooperative for you”
Me too, Bill. Happy and surprised. Although not one of them showed up this morning.
You captured her in such great lighting; the colors really pop.
This post could be called “The Phantom Menace returns…and returns…and returns….”
The second and third photos gave me a chuckle. They’re like a comical take of the Crane kick pose.
Lyle, sounds like you’re like me in always noticing those foot moves of kingfishers. Those little feet are on such ridiculously short legs I can’t help but check them in those photos where they can be seen.
I think the second is my favorite- love seeing that extended left foot! Count me in the Kingfisher lovers club, too! Last week I had two Least Terns divebombing a Great Egret. I got a kick out of watching the Egret duck with each pass by the Terns. Two Davids, one Goliath. Always fun to see behavior that I haven’t seen before. Plucky little Terns!
Thank you, Diane.
Judy made an excellent point about the context. Without your explanation these would just be outstanding photos of a Kingfisher going about its business. Don’t think I would ever guess what the situation is. Looks though that she has learned to be ready to defend herself from these attacks. I have trouble trying to find and then keep a moving eagle in my frame, finding and then keeping an attacking swallow seems almost impossible. Great photos.
“finding and then keeping an attacking swallow (in the frame) seems almost impossible”
It pretty much is, Everett. I just focus on the kingfisher during the attack and hope I get lucky with the swallow. That’s about all you can do.
I’ll never tire of these photos. I see quite a few kingfishers, but I’ve never managed a decent photo of one, let alone a good photo, so enjoying your photos is one of life’s little pleasures!
“I see quite a few kingfishers, but I’ve never managed a decent photo of one”
Shoreacres, that was me for years and years. I used to call kingfishers one of my nemesis birds. Can’t make that claim anymore…
Love all these photos. 😍Never apologize for KingFishers…nor any of your post choices!
They make my day (and I’m sure for all of your readers. I would love to have the outings you provide for us to browse through. Many thanks!
Thanks, Kathy. I have many nice kingfisher photos taken at this location that readers will never see. There’s just too many of them.
Back in the day I thought there’d never be such a thing as a glut of quality kingfisher photos in my files.
I guess the swallow was persistent! Those stubby little legs do have their work cut out for them – pretty amazing she could manipulate them so well. 🙂 Colors in all the photos are great showing the detail of the kingfisher. Glad for the context of the attack or it would be had to tell what was going on…. Wonderful, prime, Kingfisher time for you. 🙂
“I guess the swallow was persistent!”
Yup, even stubborn. I kept thinking each attack would be the last one but they kept coming and coming, even as the kingfisher moved from perch to perch multiple times. Thanks, Judy.