I’ve been looking for this female Belted Kingfisher for weeks now but so far she’s eluded me. A year ago she spent weeks at a pond near the Jordan River and I photographed her many times until she disappeared for the nesting season.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
All three of these photos were taken exactly one year ago today and I’ve been hoping she’ll return on a “schedule” so I’ve been down to the pond looking for her at least once (sometimes twice) every day for the past several weeks. So far I’ve struck out but I’ll continue to watch for her.
I usually photographed her in a cluttered setting and in this shot I’m not fond of the branch in front of her head and bill but…
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
when she turned her head to look to her left that branch became much less of a problem for me. Anytime I can get this close to a kingfisher is a good day for me – no matter the setting.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Eleven minutes later, while she was perched much further away (this image has been cropped heavily), she threw a pellet. Many folks are unaware that kingfishers cast pellets but they do. Here we can see the pellet rising in the back of her throat. I was very lucky to get light on the pellet so it can be easily seen – usually in this situation it would be in deep shade inside that cavernous mouth.
I’ve been lucky enough to photograph kingfishers casting pellets several times. If you missed my post of this pellet being ejected those images can be seen here. And the previous month (Dec 2016) I photographed a male kingfisher throwing a pellet at Farmington.
With my 500mm lens on its way to California for cleaning, testing and possible repair I’m anxious to try out my 100-400mm with attached teleconverter on birds but the weather and light aren’t cooperating. It’s been mostly cloudy for weeks and this morning it’s finally mostly clear out there but the wind preceding a storm front has been howling for two days now (it kept me awake much of the night last night).
But where this kingfisher hangs out is very close to my home so whenever there’s a “sucker hole” in the clouds (and if this wind ever dies down) I’ll be down there looking for her – with a lens combo I’ve had very little practice with.
I sure hope I find her again.
Ron
She’s in her natural habitat. The twig doesn’t bother me a bit. Picky, picky hehe. 2nd picture looks like she is smiling. I didn’t know about the pellets either. Thanks for the info!
Wonderful shots Ron! Good Luck! Hoping to see more shots!
Charlotte
I hope so, Charlotte. Thank you.
She is certainly a lovely subject! That third photograph is definitely the “money shot!” Wow! Amazing! I hope she returns soon to give you many more photo-ops.
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures with the different lens combo.
Thanks, Marty. That report may be as early as tomorrow.
On re-viewing–the moreoften I look at the first images, the mote I love it!!!
🙂
Ron:
I’ve used the 100-400 ES II with my 7D Mark II, and it is a very high quality combination. Yes, I usually am closer to birds than you are (Florida on extended vacation is a different world from yours), but I love that lens and camera together. I hop you do as well!
Richard, I agree about that combo. However, add the 1.4 tc to the mix and it become just a bit more complicated. I found out a little more about that this morning and may report on it tomorrow.
I hope you find the lady Kingfisher again, too, because she is perhaps my favorite of all the birds you’ve photographed. I actually prefer the branch position in the first photo to where it is in the second. For me, in the first photo that branch frames the subject, whereas in the second one I find it to be a distraction. Hope you get some good opportunities to practice with your alternate lens.
I see your point about the framing from the branch, Susan.
I’ll be going down to look for her again today, hopefully before this new storm rolls in.
I LOVE both of the first two shots. The “clutter” doesn’t bother me, just adds context for me. I hope your camera and your “Queenfisher” return soon…
As for the third shot, how many of us would ever be lucky enough to see, much less get, an action like that!!!
“Queenfisher” – I like that, Patty. Actually, I love it!
Getting close to a Belted Kingfisher is something I’ve yet to experience, so I immediately appreciated the detail of your elusive lady. As far as shooting with the 100-400 plus 1.4x extender, I look forward to what you can get from that combo. If I remember correctly, your 7D Mark II can still auto focus with that combo, but maybe just with 5 focus points? Since you use 5 focus points anyway, I guess you’ll be all set!
Good luck, Ron!
Den, Yes, with the Mark II + 100-400 + 1.4 tc I can still AF but only down to f/8. That means that in many cases I’ll likely be shooting at higher ISO’s than I usually do.
Ron, my husband and I read/enjoy your blog daily. We learn so much about birds from you and your reader’s comments/questions. The fact that birds eject pellets is fascinating and something I learned from reading your posts. We have many interesting birds visiting our back yard and you inspire us to observe and learn more about them. Thank you so much for the joy you bring us every day.
Alice, I’m delighted to learn that Feathered Photography has contributed to the enjoyment you and your husband get out of birds. Thanks for saying so!
Excellent shots Ron!
I like the frontal views, rather then just a profile, to a carver, the frontal shots give perspective to the bird.
Many thanks for sharing.
I always appreciate your “carver” perspective, Dick. Thanks
Beautiful shots, Ron. Until your previous posts I had no idea they cast pellets! Always looks like their heads/bills are so big and heavy it’s a wonder they can hold them up let alone fish as efficiently as they do……………:) Good luck working with the new combo and “whatever” they do to your “pet” lens. 🙂
My “pet” lens. That’s a pretty good description of how I feel about it, Judy. Like most pets I love it but sometimes it aggravates me too… 🙂
Hope you aren’t planning on doing the pellet part! 🙂 Lots of detail to consider with the carving and MUCH patience!
Nope, LOL, BUT I might show the pellet dropping. Still have to consider the art as well as the realism.
Meant my 2nd comment for Dick! Nimble fingers…………..