And a close to perfect landing spot.
It’s been a while since I had any luck with my favorite Belted Kingfisher but yesterday morning he came through for me once again.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I had little hope for quality action shots while he was fishing from this cluttered branch hanging over the edge of the pond because there’d probably be twigs in front of him if he dove on a fish. And if he took off for another fishing perch he’d likely take off away from me.
But he fooled me, big time, and you’re about to see why. When he eventually took off he came roughly in my direction and away from the water. I figured he was about to leave the area entirely but I was happy with this flight shot taken soon after he took off.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Instead of leaving the area he landed on this branch very close to me. He was so close I had to remove my teleconverter and even then I felt I needed to shoot vertically with many of my shots in order to keep him from being too tight in the frame. This is the closest I’ve ever been to a Belted Kingfisher, a species notorious for their skittish behavior.
I have no idea why he landed here unless it was a deliberate attempt to check me and my pickup out from up close. I believe he was too far away from the water for it to be an effective fishing perch.
As a photographer I loved his choice of perches. Kingfishers typically perch on dead branches or snags with few if any leaves to obstruct their view of the water below. Those types of perches may be effective for fishing but they’re often cluttered with dead branches (like the previous shot above) that don’t provide an aesthetic setting for photography.
But in this photo he’s framed beautifully by the leaves and twigs around him and the background behind the bird is clean except for a single out-of-focus clump of leaves that doesn’t bother me. The biggest problem I had with him on this perch was shadows from twigs that often crossed the top of his head or his bill but in this pose there are no annoying shadows on the bird.
These two photos only scratch the surface of the nice collection of photos he allowed me to take yesterday. I’m sure I’ll be posting a few more of them sometime down the road.
Ron
These are fabulous shots! There’s a 3D quality to them — I feel like I could reach out and touch the kingfisher (if I had the lightning-quick reflexes of The Flash, that is). This fellow has personality for days!
“This fellow has personality for days!”
He sure does, Marty. I’m glad that trait came through for you in my photos.
Wow. These are both wonderful and I look forward to seeing yet more gems.
Thank you, EC.
5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👏☝️
I’ll take’em all, Patty. Thanks.
I vote we name this Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon subspecies dudleyi. I think he’d be honored.
“I think he’d be honored.”
Not as much as I would!
The last one is a very beautiful shot!
Thanks, April.
Inasmuch as I rarely see Belted Kingfishers, I am jealous that you have one who seems to have befriended you! But thank you for sharing him with us — that first image is a wonderful action shot, and the second is just pure delight. He seems very satisfied with his perfect pose in perfect position for his fav photographer!
Chris, if I were someone else I’d be jealous of me too. For years kingfishers were a nemesis of mine.
Sweet photo Ron. Thanks for sharing. I think you have photographed this Kingfisher so much that he has become your friend or he is just vain.
Could be, Bradley. I do think he’s become very comfortable around my pickup.
That first image has to be the best kingfisher shot I’ve ever seen.
(Almost makes me want to forgive the male that’s fishing off our roof in my goldfish pond.)
“That first image has to be the best kingfisher shot I’ve ever seen”
Catherine, in at least some ways it’s certainly the best kingfisher photo I’ve ever taken.
Winner winner! How kind of Mr. King to pose for you!! That second shot is frame worthy for sure!!!
Who knows, Kathleen. It just might end up with a frame around it.
Wow! In terms of composition, I think this image is one of your best ever. As my dad would have said, you must have been holding your mouth right.
Linda, what your dad used to say sounds like something my own father would say. To my knowledge he never did but that’s what it sounds like…
Such character in his face! Not to mention the hairdo …
Great shots, Ron!
Thanks, Jamila.
Neat! 🙂 The flight shot IS impressive and the “portrait” is a fine one even with a couple of shadows. Looking forward to “more”……. 😉
Thank you, Judy. I’m sure there’ll be more sometime, maybe fairly soon.
Always elusive and quick to depart upon our arrivals, but this guy really seems interested in either you or your pick-up. These two and all the previous photos have been excellent. Like yours here, I have had only one time where a Kingfisher stayed and posed for me.
Also liked Terri’s observation about the small feet. I have to admit that I never really paid attention, but they do seem to be very small in proportion to their size and also their very long beak/bill.
Everett, another thing that’s out of proportion in kingfishers is their head. It’s huge.
Ron, great job on one of the most difficult birds to ever photograph , one of my favorites, and you nailed it. I certainly enjoy your Blog!!
Thank you, Jerry. Good to know.
Agree, nice perch shot! First thing I noticed “My what small feet you have!!” Seems proportionately smaller than other birds of the same size eh?
Terri, yes the feet are smaller in proportion than you’d expect, as are their legs.