When I find a bird in a situation unfavorable for photography I tend to try harder if it’s a kingfisher, probably because kingfishers were a nemesis species of mine for years. Occasionally the extra effort pays off.
1/5000, 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
Four days ago near Farmington Bay WMA this adult male was in a bad spot for photos and there was nothing I could do about it. A large branch above him not only blocked my view of his crest, it also cast a shadow on most of his body. To make things worse he was a little too far away for quality photos while he was perched and a pond between me and the bird prevented me from getting any closer or changing my shooting angle enough to get clearer shots of him on the branch.
But he was a kingfisher so I persevered. I knew I had a slim chance of getting a decent flight shot or two if he dove on a fish because his wings would fill more of the frame and he’d be out of that damned shadow. So I kept my lens on him and played the odds which I knew were against me..
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
But this time my reflexes were quick enough to keep him entirely in frame when he dove and I even got a catch light in his eye. There’s good light on his entire dorsal surface and his wing position helped considerably in filling the frame. I don’t have an ideal background but I didn’t expect to. I don’t think it’s a great shot but it’s not bad and I think it’s about the best I could hope for given the circumstances.
So I’ll take it as a win. A kingfisher win.
Ron
I visited Farmington Bay a few weeks ago. I’ll visit every summer from now on. We have belted kingfishers here on the river in arizona but dont capture them most of the time.I LOVE YOUR FLIGHT PHOTO!
You have got to be a Kingfisher whisperer. I drove past one in a tree yesterday. Stopped and backed up to get a better look. Gone, of course.
Lyle, I think most of them think I’m a kingfisher screamer. Typically what you’ve described is my experience with them too.
Love the detail on his feathers.
That white crescent on the primaries – some woodpeckers have the same kind of mark. There must be a purpose for the similarity.
Thank you, Pam.
Just wow. And wow again.
As Dick noted he is in a safe place and you STILL managed a beautiful and an incredible shot.
Thanks, EC. Luck played a big, big part but I’ll accept some of the credit.
Good. Some of the credit IS yours.
Thank goodness for your quick reflexes 😜 Any picture of a Kingfisher a win for me❗️
Take care Ron 😁
Diana, my reflexes have always been pretty darn good. I wish I could say the same for my eyesight…
That is a definite win! Both shots are lovely and the diving shot is just wonderful. Thank you for your persistence. I always love your photos and the stories behind them.
Thanks very much, Melania.
Have I ever mentioned that the initial look at your images makes me gasp–takes my breath away? Have I ever told you that? It’s true! So stop your quibbling nit picking 😉
Now that I’m breathing again, just WOW!!
Don’t gasp while you’re still in rehab, Laura. You’ll scare your nurses! 🙂
And an emphatic YES from me too.
Spectacular shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
I think they know we can’t quite get to them there.
I think so too.
Definitely a win! And stupid branch! I’m impressed you got a catchlight in the first shot. 🙂
Marty, that catch light wasn’t very bright in the unprocessed photo but sharpening the image brightened it up slightly. It always does.
Wonderful “capture”, Ron! 😀 They DO give you a challenge and, upon occasion, you meet it……congrats! 😀
Yard is full of Robins this morning acting like it’s spring time and a flock of LBJ’s – ground feeders. GEEZ! It’s almost October!
Eastern Heath Snails are finally in the area – noted them on grass in the ditch last summer when it was hot – one more thing to deal with…… 😞 Knew it was a matter of time BUT! Extension in Chouteau Co. put out a bulletin in the River Press (Ft. Benton).
Thanks, Judy. I don’t know anything about those snails. Are they a problem?
Yes – they contaminate grain – many countries won’t take it – and they can gum up machinery with the mucus they have. A SE Asia thing I think originally that got into Canada and then Michigan. Not sure how far they’ve spread in MT tho they are in Cascade and Chouteau Counties. Takes a molluscacide(?) or something with Iron Phosphate in it to control. Big issue is they climb tall grass when the ground gets hot to cool off…… 😞 Go for my Private Agricultural Pest License renewal training next week – plan to ask more questions……
Geez, that’s all the farmers need up there.
Have you experimented with higher ISO and f-stop combinations in situations like this, or do the necessary shutter speed and distance to subject not permit that? I generally am too lazy to make such comparisons, but your methodical approach might permit?
Yes, I have in the past, Brad. The number of variables in shooting situation and camera setting combinations is immense but my primary consideration is shutter speed. I prefer a minimum of 1/3200 if I can for situations like this.
I don’t experiment as much any more, not because I’m too lazy but because I don’t want to waste a potentially very good shot by screwing with the settings I think are best for the situation. .
Great shot. I know for sure they are my nemesis and I am always on foot and have to get closer than you do so you know how hard it is to get near these guys and gals. Are you sure you didn’t use one of those fish in the glass bottle to get him to dive? 🙂 Kidding of course. I always appreciated that you told us of that particular extremely unethical and even cruel practice.
Everett, that fish in a bottle is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to questionable methods some photographers use on kingfishers. Those folks are very creative.
Terrific catch. Congrats. I agree…it IS a kingfisher! It is worth waiting for…worth the burning of your eye as you keep your focus on him for what can seem like eternity. 😅 Worth the occasional slip of your finger and click off of a fast series in anticipation of movement. If one is lucky we get the great catch as you did but chances are we got a great set of branch and twig photos! 🙂
Kathy, your comment tells me you know EXACTLY what it’s like. It’s more difficult than many folks think it is.
Man, you take some fantastic shots of Kingfishers!!
That must be a very safe perch he is on and leaves from!
Dick, I think he feels safe there because because he’s pretty much enclosed by a lot of branches and most vehicles can’t approach him there.