Most of my time in the field yesterday morning was spent trying to get diving and flight shots of the female Belted Kingfisher that hangs out along and near the Jordan River. Shooting conditions were difficult for a variety of reasons – it was very early in the morning so light was low and contrasty in the mixed shade caused by vegetation, the kingfisher was often backlit or partially side lit and she was never very close. But I was encouraged by ‘almost’ getting some photos that are so difficult to get I mostly gave up even trying years ago.
For my entire bird photography career I’ve lusted after high quality photos of kingfishers emerging from the water with a fish after a dive. But those types of photos are so difficult to get, for so many reasons, I’ve always failed – even though I’ve tried countless times. Typically, depending on how you set up and anticipate, you have a chance at diving/flight shots or fish/emergent shots but not both. So, several years ago I mostly gave up even trying to get fish/emergent shots and concentrated on much easier diving/flight shots.
But yesterday morning circumstances, instincts and luck allowed me to get some kingfisher fish/emergent shots that ‘almost’ meet my requirements, so for the first time in years I’m encouraged to keep trying.
The following photos document some of the highs and lows of my morning with my favorite kingfisher.
She was already there when I first arrived about 15 minutes before sunrise. This photo was taken a few minutes later, when sunlight was just beginning to reach her.
At this point I was still after diving shots but she was facing away from me (this was the only time she turned her head to look back at me) so I figured that if she dived on a fish she’d probably take off away from me.
And that’s exactly what happened. I couldn’t even see where she hit the water but I heard the splash and when she came out she…
landed far away from me. With a fish. At least one of us was having some luck.
26 minutes later she caught another fish but I had no chance to get diving/flight shots when she took off after it.
This time she surprised me. Usually she gobbles down her fish immediately after landing with it. But this time she…
took off with it and landed on another far away perch before eating it. Here she’s flying so steeply it looks like a dive on a fish but as we can see, there’s already a fish in her bill. She landed so far away I didn’t even try to take photos of her as she ate the fish.
At this point I was quite discouraged. None of my diving/flight shots had turned out and she was staying far away from me. So just for the hell of it I…
swung my lens around and focused on the Great Blue Heron that was doing exactly nothing, mostly in shade.
That was when my photographer’s instincts took over. I just happened to take my eye away from the lens for a moment and noticed the faraway kingfisher take off on a dive on another fish.
Note – All of the following “spray and pray” grab shots are soft. But I think they’re sharp enough to appreciate the behavior and the action. And the fact that I came closer than I’ve ever come before to getting kingfisher fish/emergent shots that meet my standards.
I was too late to catch her entering the water but I caught her coming out of it.
And yes, she’d caught a fish. I estimate that she only catches a fish about 25% of the time
This is probably my favorite shot of the imperfect series.
I got one more photo of her after this one but her flight posture is very similar to this and she was turned farther away from me.
If you’ve never tried to get kingfisher fish/emergent shots before you may wonder why I’m even a little bit excited to get photos that are this soft with the bird this far away. Well, it’s because these last four photos give me hope. And encouragement to keep on trying. Now I believe it can be done and even I might be able to do it.
We’ll see how that goes.
Ron
I love the pictures. I could never be fast enough to catch one flying past me. I would hear it calling and zoom past me. Of course I only had a small pocket type camera. I also love the Blue Herring standing there doing nothing! Got to love her feathers.
Absolutely terrific, Ron!! I’m so happy for you. Your tenacity and skills are amazing, and we’re the lucky recipients! Thank you.
Absolutely AMAZING!!! Like watching a movie with all of the narrative in print. Super job – and if you want to keep trying – – you have my permission. She is a beautiful bird!!!
Thanks, Judy. Sounds like you’re a fan of subtitles.
Score! They may be a tiny bit soft, but wowzers are the coming-off-the-water shots fabulous! These shots have to be encouraging! Such a pretty kingfisher.
I’m enjoying the bonus GBH shot too. I really like the way the sunlight illuminates his head.
“Such a pretty kingfisher.”
I agree, Marty. She’s a looker. Thanks.
Success for you and your lovely kingfisher girl! That first shot of her rising from the water makes me think of the humpback whales I have seen breeching off the Maui coastline … always an awesome sight to behold, and no less so with this little avian dynamo! And your “imperfect” third shot is my favorite, too, the wing spread, the spray, and that little fish tail you just know is wildly flapping. Fingers X’d for more to come, Ron. ❤️
Thanks, Chris. I envy your experience with whales. I keep looking for them in Great Salt Lake but no luck so far… 🙂
Jees Ron, I beginning to feel like I know this bird!
I know the feeling.
Impressive!
Thanks, Pat.
I’m glad that Lady Luck has finally smiled upon you with this great action series. I urge you to keep on trying – you never know when you’ll hit the jackpot.
That’s my plan, Linda – jackpot or no jackpot. Until I get discouraged again…
I second Shoreacres’ comment!
How do you even track where she’s going to come out of the water? Does she travel far once she hits the water, does she actually go under, like a duck? Astonishing photos!
And I love the diving photo #2 – showing off all her beautiful underside, tiny feet, stubby tail, pointy bill. GBH is pretty nice too, even “doing exactly nothing, mostly in shade”😄
Carolyn, for those types of shots I usually don’t even try to track her in flight. I just try to anticipate where she’ll hit the water and try to focus there before she arrives. Needless to say, you’ve gotta be quick. And at least a little bit lucky.
Yes, she usually does go under the surface but not very far. Then she pops right out, fish or no fish.
These are amazing! Awesome! Kingfishers are so hard to get good photos of. I’m very impressed! Your patience and practice paid of!
Thank you, Beth.
Fabulous. I also love the heron.
Thanks, Cheryl. I have many hundreds of shots of that heron and in many of them she has a fish. But the fish in that pond are so tiny you can barely see them in that huge bill.
Those last shots where you can see that rusty red? I love those. I also love the butt shot you got in the second photo. 😀
Arwen, as you probably already know, that “rusty red” is how I know she’s a female.
Great job Ron. I know how hard those shots are to get. Congrats from a Canadian pro photographer.
Thanks very much, Wayne.
The local kingfishers are so flighty that, when you move at all, they fly off. I’m thrilled when I can get them perched.
Catherine, every year this female kingfisher has to get acclimated to me again. Once she does she becomes more tolerant of my presence.
Wow. Fish, catchlight, and all. Good fortune – and good instincts – indeed! I didn’t know kingfishers got up so early, but I guess that is the nature of fishing in general. Thanks for the fun photos, Ron.
” I didn’t know kingfishers got up so early.”
Ellen, I was there before sunrise again this morning. Once again she was already there, on her second most favorite fishing perch.
Ditto Brett’s comment and your response. I think it’s what makes good bird photographers good bird photographers – fortunate to be “cursed” with a strong persistence gene. These shots really are encouraging, and way beyond anything most of us get. Persistence pays off.
Burrdoo, when I was a kid my mother always used to say I was “stubborn”. Persistent has a better ring to it.
You did it Ron. I have taken a thousand “Spray and Pray” shots and maybe got 2 or 3 successes. Kingfishers are one that I no longer
even think of trying. A still shot yet, but a diving and catching – no way.
Everett, I tried “spray and pray” again this morning but this time I completely struck out. Doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying though.
WOW! “Spray and Pray” sometimes work out even if not “perfect”! 😉 You REALLY did catch the action and her success at fishing – can’t complain about that. 🙂
Thanks, Judy. Sometimes I do complain but I won’t about these last four shots, despite their flaws.
Great shots Ron, one of my favorite birds in a sequence I’ve never got! Nice going!!
Thank you, Jerry. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in the field. I hope you’re still getting out with the birds and critters.
Great series! Persistence. Never give up… never surrender.
Thanks, Brett. In bird photography and in life in general.
I’m glad you’re getting some encouragement toward your goal. It
occurred to me that if she nests nearby and participates in feeding
her fledglings, you’ll have lots more opportunities in the months
ahead to capture the very images you’re aiming for…….
I hope you’re right, Kris but past experience with her during breeding season doesn’t give me much hope in that regard. During and immediately after breeding season I rarely see her. Or her mate. And I’ve never seen their youngsters.
You say ‘soft.’ I say splendid, and smile-producing. You go right ahead, carrying on your search for images that please you, but do it in the knowledge that you’re pleasing a lot of us in the process.
Much appreciated, Shoreacres. Don’t get me wrong. I was happy to get these last four shots. But I’ll be happier, if and when I get sharper shots like these with the bird closer.
Outstanding images! Kingfishers are very challenging photo subjects. Congrats!
Thank you, Dan.
I know that first photo is way to soft for you but her position coming out of the water is spectacular to see.
Thanks, Pam. I’m hoping to have better luck with sharpness next time. Or the time after that…