The first bird I’ve photographed in ten days.
Late yesterday morning, at least partly in celebration of the recent bullet I dodged, I decided to go looking for birds fairly close to home. It had snowed about 2 1/2″ the night before and as the storm began to clear out it was still mostly cloudy but snow on the ground reflects light and I had a chance for a “sucker hole” of sunlight peeking through the clouds so I went for the gusto.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 320, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This male Belted Kingfisher was the only reasonably cooperative bird I found. The bare spot on the branch directly behind his tail was his favorite fishing perch. On three separate occasions I saw him dive after a small fish from that branch and he was successful all three times so he was batting 100% while I was there.
But in this photo he wasn’t diving after a fish. Another vehicle had approached me from behind and its driver had slowed to a near stop in an effort to see what I was aiming my big lens at. The kingfisher wasn’t happy about the intrusion so he flew off, chattering and scolding his displeasure as he vamoosed.
When this shot was taken I had that sucker hole in the clouds I’d hoped for. Yes, the background is busy but it’s typical habitat for a fishing kingfisher and besides, in this case I prefer it over plain, pale blue (or white) winter sky. The bird is nearly centered in the frame because I didn’t have any more room on the right.
I like the good look at the flared alula on the leading edge of his right wing. Depending on the species, alulae have 2-6 feathers. Here I believe the angled lighting allows us to see four of them, which might be all kingfishers have.
It’s been over four months since I’ve posted any kingfisher photos so finding this guy felt pretty darn good. Hopefully, next time I’ll be just a wee bit closer to the bird.
Ron
Crisp and beautiful shot. Could not have been at a better angle. They have been very camera shy for me.
Nice! I saw one yesterday afternoon but no photos, it flew as I drove closer. Birds in the field seem far a few between still. I have a larger variety in my yard.
I’ve often wished I had your yard birds, April.
Kingfisher’s carry a mystical meaning. I found it very interesting that this was your first bird in so long. And that it was a COOPERATIVE one.
“ Kingfishers are symbolic of freedom, courage, adventure, and balance. ”
Arwen, “cooperative” and “kingfisher” seldom go together so I agree, it was unusual that this guy was my first bird in that long.
“Hopefully, next time I’ll be just a wee bit closer to the bird.”
Some people are never satisfied. Take the win and rejoice.
Alula! Alula! Alula! Alula! Aaaluuulaaa!
You’re welcome for the seasonal ear worm.
Lyle, Handel’s Hallelujah chorus will never be the same. I don’t listen to it unless I have no choice but if your earworm appears in my head I’ll likely prefer it to the original.
How nice of the kingfisher to be available for a celebratory session with you — he got his fish, you got your photos! This is a great shot of a bird in its habitat, no complaints about “clutter” here.
“he got his fish, you got your photos”
That’s a combination I’ll take any ol’ time, Chris.
The fact that you got outside for a while made it a good day.
Getting a gobsmackingly good photograph of flying Belted Kingfisher made it a special day!
The migratory kingfishers are starting to show up in numbers here and the early morning “rattle” level around the lakes has increased proportionately.
Take care, Ron.
Sounds like you sometimes see (or hear) a lot of kingfishers in a short period of time, Wally. I seldom see more than one, except for a short time in the early summer.
You are out having fun! It seems like someone or something always comes along when we try to photo wildlife. I learned a new word today “sucker hole” for cloud cover opening.
Sucker hole works for me, Trudy. I see one coming so I go out shooting but it usually closes back up just before I get to my location.
I am so very glad that you were able to scratch your/my/our itch.
And to do so with a bird which was a nemesis bird for you for so many years seems like a very good omen.
Thanks, EC. I hope an omen is what it turns out to be.
I think it is a really nice photo Ron. The sharpness on the bird is really nice. Probably one reason I noticed the sharpness is I have been following the posts on Facebook for the Stellar’s Sea Eagle that has found her way to the Atlantic coast of Canada (after traversing the continent possibly with a trip to Texas). Lots of blurry shots posted of that amazing bird. Maybe you should post about this bird on your blog. 🙂
Thanks, Brad. A Stellar’s Sea Eagle in Texas seems so very incongruous.
Neat! Great to be able to get out and be rewarded with a Kingfisher! 🙂 Beautiful body position and the alula show up well. Folks just don’t realize how disruptive slowing down/stopping like that is.
Up until about 2 weeks ago we still had one screaming through the yard. It the a robin that was in the yard a couple of days ago obviously don’t know what time of year it is! On the other hand the cold weather that usually brings the Gray Crowned Rosy Finches down hasn’t. GEEZ!
I hope your finches show up soon, Judy. I think they’re lovely little birds.
Excellent Ron. I really like this photo and especially with the busy background. As you state, it is a typical Kingfisher background and I think in this case it really adds to the photo. I have very few really good Kingfisher photos mainly because I am on foot and as you know, you can’t get close to a Kingfisher unless you can walk like a native American in moccasins.
“you can’t get close to a Kingfisher unless you can walk like a native American in moccasins”
Everett, that most definitely leaves me out!
Like Shoreacres, I love these birds as well; their form, behaviors, and vocalizations are all so unique, curious and fascinating. I have to imagine that getting a good photo of one of these in flight would be near impossible. Your photo in this post is terrific. I think the branches in the background provide scale, and the direction that they are leaning in (opposite to the flight path of the bird) give the flight of the bird a more kinetic feel as does the forward wing position. It’s a great photo!
I’m glad you like it that much, Michael.
Another thing I like about all the branches behind the bird is that they give the photo depth.
So glad you got out. To my eye, this shot is very dynamic–the tree’s branches
moving diagonally to the left, while the kingfisher is exiting to the right–even
the arcs of his wings seem extra lively !
Interesting point about the dynamics of the photo, Kris.
Getting a sharp shot amidst that tangle is an achievement in itself. Glad you had a good day to keep up your spirits.
Granny Pat, the R5 gets some of the credit for the photo being as sharp as it is.
What a beautiful photo and bird. I am glad you are out and about.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thanks, Kaye.
‘Alula’ was a new word for me. You certainly did provide a great view of the Kingfisher’s; the linked explanation and diagram was helpful. I do love these birds. Even though I have yet to get a decent photo of one, I have learned to recognize that call, and their bouncy flight.
Shoreacres, kingfishers were a nemesis species for me for years. I can’t explain why but I’ve had much better luck with them in the last several years. “Bouncy” is a good way to describe their typical flight.