And evidence of the extreme violence she directed at the poor fish.
1/1600, 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
This female Belted Kingfisher I photographed at a local pond several years ago was having a very difficult time getting her squirming slippery prey under control. The long body eel-like body of the Weather Loach was thrashing about as it alternately wrapped around her bill in one direction and then in the other. Often the vision of one or both of her eyes was partially blocked which seemed to confuse her.
Typical of kingfishers she beat the snot out of her prey by repeatedly slamming the fish against the branch she’s perched on in an attempt to stun or kill it. The wet slimy body of the loach left behind the two wet spots on the branch we see on either side of her.
Apparently she was ‘right-handed’ because she slammed the loach against the branch on the right side of her many times but only a single time on her left side, thus the single, small wet spot we see on that side.
1/1600, 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
I actually snapped her photo during the single time she slammed the fish against the branch on her left side but I didn’t have enough shutter speed to get the incredibly fast action sharp. I wish I’d been using different camera settings.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When the loach was finally stunned or dead and not squirming she performed a celebratory fish-toss just prior to gobbling it down (yes, she caught the fish on its way down). I was so surprised by this unexpected behavior I jerked my lens upward which resulted in an even softer photo but it’s good enough for documentary purposes. Barely.
I posted this last photo five years ago but the other two are new to my blog.
Ron
Fantastic!
Charlotte Norton
It all happens so fast!
Yup.
I do love that celebratory toss. Which would undoubtedly NOT have been caught by me. If I was lucky it would have landed on my face. It is much more likely that I would have had to dive for the damned fish again.
EC, I’ve seen a kingfisher go after a dropped fish more than once. Not easy to photograph though.
I felt like that Kingfisher when I got my second vaccine! (But neither a loach nor popcorn to toss.) These are all great photos, and soft or not, I particularly love that celebration with wings flung wide and eye on the prize. I would have loved to watch her catch it and gobble it down.
Yes, it was fun to watch but it sure didn’t last long. Thankfully I have my photos for reruns. Thanks, Chris.
I googled Weather Loach in Utah and the third hit behind the weather forecast was from October 2, 2010. Some guy talking about Weather Loaches being an invasive species in Utah. Fascinating research on your part, as is the Loach-tossing.
Thanks, Lyle, It was very rewarding to finally solve the mystery of what kind of fish they were, with a little help from my friends of course.
WOW! 😄 THAT was a challenge for the Kingfisher – glad she finally prevailed and had a meal out of it! I’m sure the loach didn’t appreciate it. Love the celebratory “toss”! 🙂
Thanks, Judy.
The “popcorn toss!” I’m glad you shared the first two shots to demonstrate just how hard she had to work for that meal. It’s interesting to consider a bird having a “handedness” (“wingedness?”), although it makes sense, as other animals also show favoritism to one side or the other. Slightly soft or not, these images are a delightful start to my Sunday.
In other news, puppies are now eating both canned food and dry kibble on their own (yet not too proud to belly up to the mamabar for a drink or two), so they’ll likely be off to the other fosters for more individualized attention relatively soon. 🙂
Marty, I’ve seen them miss catching the fish after a ‘popcorn toss’ like this. When that happens their high frustration level is obvious. I wonder why they do it as often as they do…
I’m just glad I don’t have to eat loaches. I think you made a remarkable recovery to be able to get that catch shot at all. I have found myself very wanting when surprises take place. About 95% of the time I completely blow it when something surprising like that happens. I jerk the camera in my excitement and any hope of catching the surprising action is gone.
Everett, jerking my lens in unexpected situations like this is one of my bad habits. Even after all these years of photographing birds.
Speechless with wonderment!
Thanks, Terri.