Whether the bird is perched or in flight, it’s unusual for me to like a kingfisher photo more for its aesthetics than for its action and/or behavior. But that’s the case with this first image.
And yes, I’m still working on the male kingfisher I’ve been photographing lately. We’re in a stormy weather pattern and he’s about the only ‘reliable’ and interesting bird I’m aware of that I don’t have to drive far on potentially snowy and slick roads to photograph.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
He has two favorite fishing perches and one of them provides virtually no opportunities for decent photos. But yesterday, after a war of patience and wills between the two of us, he finally landed on this more promising perch to try his luck.
This is the first photo I got when he dived on a fish. Despite the less-than-optimal light and nearly white sky in the background I like the photo a lot for its aesthetics, in part because it reminds me a little of Oriental art (but what do I know about art, especially Oriental art?).
At first his dive wasn’t very steep. But the instant his right wing cleared the branch on his right…
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
the steepness of his dive increased quickly and dramatically. I chose to crop this image to include the perch he just left.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
I got one more shot before he exited the frame. His flight posture is very similar to that in the previous photo.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
As an afterthought I decided to include this photo of the same male kingfisher taken the day before. I seem to have a knack for catching him in the same flight posture but this background certainly is… different.
“Different” isn’t necessarily a good thing but at least I was closer to him so the bird has better detail.
Ron
Reliable, beautiful and downright fascinating.
Thanks, EC.
“the only ‘reliable’ and interesting bird…”. That’s a long way from being your nemesis bird for so many years. Regardless, I appreciate the art in all these photos, oriental (perhaps Japanese?) or otherwise.
“That’s a long way from being your nemesis bird for so many years”
Very good point, Lyle. Funny how things change and in this case I don’t know why it did.
So focused and determined! I have trouble with the size of these birds. I think I’ve only ever seen one to recognize as a Kingfisher. From the characteristics in the photos (long bill, tiny feet, short tail, compact body), my mind reads fish-hunting hummingbird. But I know they are bigger – Sibley says 13 inches with wing span of 20 inches. So crow-sized?? That’s a pretty big bird! I think I prefer the image of fish-hunting hummingbird😊
Carolyn, they’re much smaller than crows (5 oz vs 1 lb. for crows).
That first photo had a real feeling about it. Then I read your comment about it resembling Oriental art. I think you are right on about that. It’s the bird, the pose and posture it is in, and the branch. It certainly has that feel.
Very nice.
I’m glad you agree, Michael. I think he’s placed well amongst the branches too.
Outstanding job Ron. I know for sure I would not keep up with the speed of a diving Kingfisher. Just imagine hitting the water at that speed and then being able to grab hold of a tiny little fish. Always amazed at the huge difference in size between that large beak and the tiny feet.
“Just imagine hitting the water at that speed”
Gives me a headache just to think of it, Everett.
I like photo # 1 a LOT…….also, it’s a visual reminder – aren’t the trees showing extra early budding of new growth ?– it seemed to start on about Dec. the 1st
this year. But those pointy shoots are a nice echo of kingfisher’s feathers.
That one’s my favorite too Kris, by far. I’m not sure about the early budding.
Neat! Your “reflexes” seem to be consistant as far as catching his take off! 🙂 Beautiful bird going about his daily “business”. Like the detail in the spread wing feathers.
Thank you, Judy.
Handsome dude (the bird, Ron, the bird). And I can almost see your reference to Oriental art in the first shot, although, truth be told, if you hadn’t mentioned it, would I have “seen” that? And the detail in that last shot is really superb. You may be playing on a smaller field, Ron but your batting average doesn’t seem to have suffered. (Oh, dear. There must be something in my tea. I just used a sports metaphor. 🙄🤭🤫😆)
“the bird, Ron, the bird”
I’m hugely disappointed, Granny Pat!
Glad to see you spreading your wings with a sports metaphor… 🙂