I probably like this photo more than I should. It has some flaws.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago I found this female Belted Kingfisher fishing above some open water (there’s lots of ice right now) near Farmington Bay WMA. I’m not fond of the curved branch appearing to touch the tip of her bill and the setting is busy. But in the end I liked this shot, out of many I took of her, more than I expected to. For three reasons.
- Due to a variety of unfortunate circumstances, including being seriously sick for over a week, this is the one and only photo I’ve taken in over two weeks that has any appeal for me. Sort of an “absence makes the heart grow fonder” kinda thing.
- I think the contrast between the shape, color and texture of the dominant branch, the actual perch, when compared to all the other branches, is both unusual and appealing.
- But most of all, this photo in particular gives me a feeling of accomplishment. I was determined to avoid having any of her body blocked by branches or twigs so I had to maneuver both my pickup and my lens carefully and delicately to get her mostly out in the open. But she kept holding her tail too high or too low, so that it was blocked by one or another of the branches. I ended up firing off a bunch of shots in the hope of getting her tail perfectly placed in the narrow ‘notch’ formed by the two branches near her tail. This is the only photo where I succeeded.
I know, I’m probably reaching. But in a photo-drought like I’ve been having, success is relative. And even degrees of it can be appreciated.
Ron
I love your kingfisher. I see one regularly on the dike between the Jordan River and the pond in Millrace Park. I seldom get a decent photo though.
Thanks, Deedee. Kingfishers are tough subjects.
I love the photo it shows the Kingfisher for beauty she is- a Queenfisher.
Thank you for all the beauty you have into my life this year.
Happy Trails for 2024…
Thank you, Kaye.
No reach here, Ron. Perfect way to end 2023 and give some hope going into 2024.
You have a special way with Belted Kingfishers, particularly the ladies. This is a great shot of a beautiful subject in an interesting environment. She is perfectly cradled by all those branches, so she really shines.
Not looking forward to the NYE shenanigans around here tonight, especially with the foster dog. Picked up some extra meds for him yesterday. Wish I could take them too, but I’m allergic to that family of drugs. Maybe we’ll both get some unexpected rain like we did this morning. 🌧☔️
Thanks, Marty. I just hope it’s cold enough tonight to keep the revelers down.
Thank you, again and best wishes for this new year about to begin! Your words and photos bring such interesting things to my life! You are much appreciated and hope you visit if you ever come East!
Thanks for your very kind words, Mary.
Before I write more I want to say that I really like the photo.
I could wish I had the equipment that you have, and think if I did I could take photos like you do. But I know better. Just because one can buy a Steinway & Sons piano does not mean one can play like Liz Story.
Perfection is an elusive thing. Back when I was in my 20’s my friends and I would do a bush fix to one of our VW buggies and stand back and with equal parts sarcasm and humor deem it “perfect”. A professional writer and commercial artist I know readily admit that it is the timeline that determines when something is a finished (perfect) product. Heck, I’ve been working on an important letter for the past week and I don’t think it will ever read the way I want it to read.
Now forgive me if I have written this before, but when contemplating the impossible goal of perfection, I am always reminded of the Norman Maclean quote, “When I was young, a teacher had forbidden me to say “more perfect” because she said if a thing is perfect it can’t be more so. But by now I had seen enough of life to have regained my confidence in it.”
And so I say your photography is a work of art, and no amount of self-nitpicking can detract from it’s perfection, but can only point out where it can be more perfect.
Happy New Year Ron. Looking forward to your work in 2024.
Your thoughts on perfection are much appreciated, Michael. Thanks for taking the time to put them into words for us all.
It makes me smile that you found this beautiful Kingfisher after being so sick. I know how your treasure the few opportunities that you have had to photograph them. They are elusive little things! You must be feeling much better if not as strong as you would like. Whatever you had may it never darken your door again.
“You must be feeling much better”
Significantly better, Melanie. Still a ways to go though.
Happy new year! I love this complete picture of Ms kingfisher! May this next year bring us all joy in birds, birdwatching, and photography! So glad you could get out and share.
Me too. Thanks, Beth.
What a wonderful shot to end the year. They are so darned hard to catch in the open like that – and its a real coup to get its lines framed by the tree limbs. Hope 2024 treats you well!
Lets hope it treats us all well. Thanks, Kent.
She’s a beautiful lady bird and the perfect way to end the old year: You’re feeling better (yay!), you found one of your favorite nemesis birds on a great perch (we can easily ignore any so-called flaws), and you got a photo that’s far more than just appealing to you—your audience clearly appreciates it and you! Wishing you and all your FP fans a happy, healthy and birdacious 2024! 🌟
Thank you, Chris.
Perfect, shmerfect. Captain Picker is alive and well. This is definitely a keeper.
And I am very, very glad to read you are feeling a tad better.
New Year’s Day has arrived here and I didn’t hear one solitary firework last night. Yay.
And I am wishing you, all your readers and everyone that you or they care about a Healthy Happy New Year.
Lucky you in the fireworks department last night, EC. Not a chance that will happen here….
Thanks Ron, for a wonderful year of great photos and commentary. May your New Year be abundant with birds!
Thank you, Brett.
Sensational shot!!
Thanks.
You really worked hard to get this one. Definitely not just a bird on a stick. I love these guys and gals, but need a long lens like yours to get them. As you know, on foot, they are really tough to get near. Too many times I have seen that streak of color and heard that scream of laughter as they streak off while I am focusing.
Happy New Year 2024 to you and your family and all your FP loyal followers.
Margaret and I finally got Covid after avoiding it for over four years. Both doing well though.
I’m sorry you got Covid, Everett – but grateful that you’re both doing well with it.
She may not be perfect but she’s a keeper IMO! 🙂 Keeping her tootsies warm in the process also….. 😉 Of course, being so short legged helps with that. Glad you’re feeling a bit better and could get out.!
Happy New Year to all – hopefully a better year than last!
” hopefully a better year than last”
For all of us, Judy. Thanks.
I think Shoreacres said it well this morning. I’m very glad that you now feel well enough to go out and find and frame the beauty—I appreciate being able to start so many days with what you bring back
to me and the rest of your posse. I wish you a whole New Year of
health and satisfaction !
“I wish you a whole New Year of health and satisfaction”
Thanks, Kris. After that recent bug I caught, I’m especially appreciative of your good wishes for my health.
For some reason, your commentary reminded me of one of Yogi Berra’s famous sayings: “If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.”
Truth to tell, there’s not much perfection in nature; there’s always a nibbled leaf or a missing feather. That said, those imperfections don’t count for much when we get a glimpse of the beauty. Here’s to a new year filled with beauty despite the imperfections!
Thanks for the Yogi-ism, Shoreacres. I always appreciate them.
Fireworks started in my neighborhood last night. Maybe they needed practice using a lighter???? Sigh. Hope your New Year is filled with good birds in good light! Thanks for bringing me joy on a regular basis, Ron!
” Maybe they needed practice using a lighter????”
I always enjoy well-aimed sarcasm, Diana. Thanks for that.
Happy New Year’s Eve…
As always… great photo & b/g information of.
Take care… & “Happy New Year” to YOU & ALL of Yours.
“Thank you”
CJ
Same to you, CJ. I just hope i survive the damned fireworks.