I actually believe this male kingfisher is finally beginning to accept my presence. Or at least tolerate it.
1/4000, 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
When I first started seeing him this spring he would invariably flee the area if he was present at one of his favorite fishing spots when I approached, usually scolding me as he flew off. But over the last couple of months he’s slowly become much more tolerant. I actually believe he recognizes my pickup and accepts it, or at least tolerates it.
This is him two days ago in the mountains. On that morning I photographed him for 11 minutes as he fished from a variety of perches and I never heard his nervous chatter a single time, which in my experience with kingfishers is highly unusual. He just went about his business before eventually flying off at a time chosen by him instead of by me.
For this shot he actually perched close to me on an old snag with a relatively clean background and in good light. He’s still wet from his last dive and a recent bath. I took over 300 photos of him preening after his very brief bath but for those shots he was further away and the setting was cluttered with branches.
It takes a relaxed kingfisher to preen for that long with a vehicle relatively close by and a big lens pointed his way.
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
Earlier that morning I got a single takeoff shot of him that I like. He’d been fishing from this low branch over the water when he took off for a much higher fishing perch. I caught him in a takeoff posture I like, the light’s good and at least most of the background is attractive green vegetation rather than the usual jumble of branches and twigs.
This is going to sound crazy but I’m so used to the rattling call of kingfishers when I’m nearby, often as they’re fleeing the area, that his excited chattering was playing in my head for much of the time I was photographing him. For whatever reason I was providing the chattering call that he was reluctant to supply himself. In fact I hear it in my head as I type these final words of today’s post.
I’ve become ‘kingfisher conditioned’, that’s for sure.
Ron
“…his excited chattering was playing in my head for much of the time I was photographing him.” Mr. Kingfisher has conditioned you — Pavlov would be proud! 😉
Belated Happy Nature Photography Day (June 15)!
Yup, Pavlov would be, even if I wasn’t drooling… 🙂
Love the 2nd shot.
Thank you, Jean.
These are both really beautiful photos – I’m glad he has become accustomed enough to you to allow some great shots. As I was reading your post, I was hearing a kingfisher chattering in my head. I haven’t seen or heard many this spring – thanks for the motivation to seek them out.
Sounds like it’s contagious, Bill… 🙂 Thank you.
Very fun photos. I concur that the greenery in the takeoff shot adds a nice seasonal look.
One has to ponder the function of that white spot in front of the eye. Kind of non-intuitive in terms of reflection.
I think the Kingfisher chattering in your head is fine As long as you don’t start chattering back. Out loud. In public.
Lyle, I’ve often wondered about the reason for that spot in kingfishers. And in hummingbirds.
What an incredible privilege. Gaining the trust and/or toleration of a wild bird is a most excellent tribute to your ethics. Perhaps the best possible tribute.
EC, when a bird shows extraordinary trust in me it gives me the warm fuzzies, no matter the species.
Here too.
I am glad he chose a non cluttered perch for you too. Very nice series.
Thanks, April.
WOW! Spectacular images of this beautiful little guy!
And what s gift if he’s decided to tolerate your presence! It may very well be a binary decision–good v. bad–but toleration is a good thing. I’m convinced, for example, that Mariah (female redtail hawk) merely tolerates me, but she’s also decided that I can be trusted, which is a HUGE deal. It’s made me work to be trustworthy at all times, which has operated to make me a better human.That trust has also made me ponder and reconsider everything I used to hold true and my behavior in almost every situation.
That said, I’m not sure it’s available for you to be a better human. I think you’re already maxxed out 😉
I agree, Laura. I’d rather be trusted by birds than any alternative I can think of.
Believe me, I’m far from “maxed out” in that regard!
Nice to be accepted! Obviously the ‘silver pickup’ is non-threatening as he is so relaxed for you. Nice spot to be in! Love both photos.
“Nice spot to be in”
It sure is, for the kingfisher and for me.
With my camera I need to get closer than you do and am on foot. As you know, just the slightest movement or noise and they are off with that loud chattering that always sounds as if they are scolding you for disturbing them. I think there are two factors in your success. I think he is becoming used to your presence, but also I think that this particular fishing spot is so good he is very reluctant to leave it. Great photos as always.
Everett, two days ago, for the first time ever with a kingfisher, I saw this guy catch something other than a fish. I couldn’t tell for sure if it was a small crayfish or some other kind of larval crustacean or even a large larval insect but it sure as hell wasn’t a fish.
Neat! The take-off shot is great clutter be damned! 🙂 “Chatter” is a given with them so……… 😉 Great that he appears to have become accustomed to you presence and it ignoring you to some extent – unusual…….
There’s no question that he knows I’m there. And I’m sure he can even hear my shutter clicks, which are definitely numerous. I guess he just thinks my pickup is a big silver part of the landscape… 🙂