I had some luck with another Belted Kingfisher yesterday morning and this time it was a male.
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
I photographed the bird at Farmington as it perched on an old post and fished the creek below. It was partially side-lit and the exposure was a little tricky with those bright whites facing the sun and the darks in shade but it was still fun to get fairly close to a kingfisher again. Most of the time the bird maintained this resting pose…
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
but he did give me a couple of wing-stretches and this time he threw in an apparent yawn for good measure.
Kingfishers have tiny irregular serrations/projections along the length of both mandibles that are designed to hold fish and other slippery prey. Most of them are too small to see in this photo but apparently those closest to the mouth are larger and a few of them can be seen here on the left side of the mouth. This is the first time I’ve noticed them in one of my photos. Those projections, combined with the extremely powerful jaws of the species, can make bird banders pay a steep price for the indignity the bird suffers while it’s in hand. Apparently it’s a painful experience when a kingfisher grabs your finger and because of those projections retrieving your digit from the mouth of the bird isn’t easy.
1/4000, f/6.3, 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
Yesterday I was determined to get some takeoff shots of this bird. I wanted a minimum shutter speed of 1/3200 sec so I set my ISO at 800 and tensely waited. And waited – for what seemed like forever. Their takeoff is lightening-quick and I’ve nearly always missed it in the past but this time I was lucky enough to get a 3 image series of the launch.
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
I didn’t get the most desirable wing positions but I won’t complain too much about that.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
Even though I had to add a little canvas to this image for composition it’s still my favorite shot of the three.
Some of our kingfishers stick around for much of the winter so I hope to spend more time with them in the coming months.
Ron
Ron, I think I was photographing the same bird although I didn’t see the famous “pick-up truck.” Maybe I got there after the “professional” had left. I only recognized the species of the bird from reading your post. I enjoy seeing and learning about the birds from you posts, comments and pictures. Best, Stephen
As an often frustrated Kingfisher chaser (but seldom catcher), I really appreciate the quality of these images, Ron! You really dealt nicely with the contrast issues and the launch sequence is spectacular.
(After almost a year’s frustrating interruptions from Life, I think I’m back to birding and photographing! Now if I can just remember how to blog …..)
Sensational series of this elusive bird Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
You got lucky – and we got lucky. Again.
Some days I feel a bit guilty about that. You put in the hard yards, and we get the benefit. Without the temperature issues or the frustration.
Only some days though. Mostly I am just grateful.
Our black swans also have serrations. It can make it a painful experience if you don’t have the ‘treats’ they have grown to expect.
Don’t feel too sorry for me, EC. I enjoy those “hard yards”, most of the time.
Is it possible that he is sticking his tongue out at you in the first shot?
Patty, If you’re referring to the white there – it’s actually the bill. The left side and the tip of his bill had something white on it.
These are phenomenal, Ron. I just love this species and rarely see enough of them.
Thank you, Leslie.
I love how the spots on the tail really pop off on the last one!
🙂
Kingfishers always make me smile. Always. I love that you are getting to spend time with them, and that you were able to get this launch series. I really like the position of the bird in the first of the series,the appearance (to me) of falling in the second one, and in the last one I love the feather pattern detail. I guess I’m easily amazed, because I know I comment about feather patterns frequently.
I’m glad you notice plumage patterns, Susan. I think many of them are extremely interesting.
Oh! Boy! What an AMAZING, wonderful series!!! I helped band a cardinal once…it bit the daylights out of me…would not want to do that with a Kingfisher! Each one of these shots is a winner! The background is a perfect complement and, of course, I love the weathered wood post. Love them all!!!
You must be grinnning from ear to ear with these shots……
I read some things about bird banders and their reactions to being bitten by kingfishers, Patty. It seems to have left quite an impression on them.
I’ll bet it did…in more ways than one!!! 🙂
Excellent job, beautiful shots. As much as I like the flight shots, the first one in my favorite, just because I can see the image in wood! (G)
Thanks for sharing!
When are you going to finally dig out your carving tools, Dick?
They are already out, trying to finish a miniature male Bufflehead. Too much going on at the moment. I’ll be more involved come winter.
Glad to hear that…saw some of your stuff…beautiful!!!
Thanks Patty.
Simply spectacular, Ron! They always remind me of a torpedo 🙂
That’s a good analogy, Diane.
Marvelous shots, Ron! I guess we can’t say that something’s as rare as kingfisher teeth. (I’ll show myself out now.)
LOL, Marty!
Hi Ron.
Last summer while in Alder Montana there were a pair of kingfishers who would never cooperate, regardless of how much I tried. I have yet to get any sort of decent shot of one and I am truly envious of these, they are great. If there are regulars at Farmington who cooperate like this, maybe its worth the drive from S. Cal. Thanks for sharing.
Frank, Kingfishers are sporadic at Farmington but occasionally one hangs around in the same area for a while. This one’s been fishing sporadically at this spot for several days that I know of.
Wonderful shots, Ron! 🙂 They are hard to catch! 🙂 I had no idea they have “teeth” of sorts! We have one still hanging around here – unusual for this time of year – and they showed up earlier this spring than usual. Hope you get more opportunities to capture them. 🙂
“I had no idea they have “teeth” of sorts”
I tried to find a name for them, Judy – but I came up empty.
Projections?
I like Allison’s word “bristling” for the very first shot—–the Kingfisher’s crown is perfectly echoed by the very weathered post-top–both bristle nicely !
“both bristle nicely”
I hadn’t noticed that, Kris. Thanks for pointing it out.
What a dynamic series – just bristling with energy! Sharing a sequence like this is delightful for us viewers… I get the sense of the force with which he propels himself. Thanks for helping us ‘be there’ for your morning victories.
” I get the sense of the force with which he propels himself”
That’s exactly right, Alison. If there’s any bird that almost seems to be shot out of a gun when it takes off, for me it’s the kingfisher.