Three days ago I was photographing other birds on a pond while waiting for the female Belted Kingfisher to show up on her favorite fishing perch. I couldn’t see that perch from where I was but she always announces her arrival by chattering loudly. If I heard her, it was my plan to back up my pickup about 50′ so I could see her through the branches and twigs and get her in my viewfinder.
However, I thought she might not show up that morning because there was a thin layer of ice on the part of the pond below and near her fishing perch. The combination of ice and diving on a fish isn’t a good mix for kingfishers. Instant headache. Or worse.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But show up she did, so I backed up my pickup and got her in my viewfinder for about 10 seconds. When I took this photo I don’t believe she’d yet realized that there was ice on that area of the pond, including directly below her. The ice was thin and transparent so it was hard to see.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I believe this was the moment she noticed the ice below her. Almost immediately after this shot, she was gone. When she took off she flew to the other side of the pond to fish an area where there wasn’t any ice.
But I got extremely lucky when she took off.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I got what may be my favorite kingfisher takeoff/flight shot, ever. If it isn’t, it’s close.
She’s sharp, her entire dorsal body surface is well lit, I have light in her eye and I love her dynamic flight posture. If I could wish for anything, it would be for a more interesting background but I’m not complaining.
After this shot, things quickly went downhill.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
In the next two shots, there were twigs between me and the bird.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The only bright spot was that it was a good test for my Canon R5, which managed to keep my active focus point locked pretty well on the kingfisher instead of the twigs and branches in front of her.
These last two photos will never see the light of day again but in my opinion, that first takeoff shot is a gem.
Ron
super series!!
Thanks.
just came back this morning to find these wonderful kingfisher photos. In all my years of taking photos of birds (before damaged eyes ended that) I was never able to get a good kingfisher shot. They always kept their the distance. Ice certainly can be a major problem for kingfishers. It usually forces them to leave the area in search of open water. many years ago, I read an account of a kingfisher actually plunging through thin ice to reach the prey.
Dan, a few of our kingfishers stick around for the winter because in most winters there’s at least some running water that never freezes.
But this small pond will almost certainly freeze with thick ice on top so I’ve got to get my licks in with this kingfisher before that happens.
Echoing all the other comments, wonderful series! And I agree with Marty – the last two are so interesting, showing what her tail and body are doing as she’s heading away. They really complete the story. Very glad you included them, even though you don’t like the twigs.
“They really complete the story”
Then I’m glad I included them, Carolyn. I very nearly didn’t.
You got a shot the rest of us dream about. Congrats! And thanks much for sharing.
I’ve dreamt about that kind of shot too, Kent. And I’ll probably continue to do so.
Stellar work there, sir! She looks to be taking a bow with that graceful take-off, she knows you’ve got her in your sights and wants you to get the perfect shot. I happen to really like the one where she’s eyeing the accursed ice … as Marty said, those wheels are turning (and I love her white and rust chest feathers). 🤎🪶
” She looks to be taking a bow with that graceful take-off”
I noticed that bend in her body too, Chris. And appreciated it. Thanks.
These are great, is that her foot under her chin where she is looking down? If so, I love the contemplating look of it. With kingfishers I have trouble with the focus locking on their white spots not the dark eye.
I was going to go out this morning again but I had a headache. I rarely get them, I wonder if it was from spending so much time outside yesterday, 4 hours in the fog at Antelope and a couple of hours in mostly clean air at Red Butte Garden.
That’s just scrunched-up feathers under her chin, April. Good eye to spot them though.
Sometimes that white spot fools my R5 too. But less often than I expect it too.
Simply stunning – and I am v glad she avoided the literal use of that phrase.
Me too. Thanks, EC.
Beautiful!
Thanks, Burrdoo.
She’s a gem. And so is the R5. And the photographer. 🙂 Even without a catchlight in her eye, it is quite evident that the wheels are turning in the 2nd shot. The takeoff shot is fabulous and I like the last two regardless of the vegetation because of the interesting curve of her R primaries and, of course, her polka-dot tail. 💜
Marty, the R5 definitely deserves some of the credit – especially on the last two shots.
Oh, that’s a great take-off shot! And the first two are wonderful as well. I enjoy Kingfisher behavior, so all of these closeups are a treat. I appreciate how well your camera stayed focused on the bird instead of the twigs. Time well spent!
Thank you, Kathryn.
YES! 🙂 Wonderful capture! Interesting she was able to correctly apprise the situation and act accordingly. Guess it’s a necessary survival skill……… 😉
“Guess it’s a necessary survival skill.”
I’d say so, Judy. Screw it up once and that may be the end of the kingfisher. Like windows, ice is hard and unforgiving.
Wow !!!!! A gem might be an understatement. That is a fantastic take off or dive photo. If I took that I would have to send it to every family member and friend, and maybe even frame it.
Obviously they have exceptional eyesight to be able to pick up aquatic creatures under water, but then to have the perception to know that there is a thin covering of ice is remarkable.
“to have the perception to know that there is a thin covering of ice is remarkable.”
Everett, things like that make me wonder how their minds work. What are their thought/perception processes? Or do their brains process stuff like that instinctively?
Glorious shot! Congrats on that serendipitous (and planned) set of circumstances that make your shot even better.
Thanks, Suzanne. I’m pretty tickled about that shot.
Spectacular take-off shot! The “look down” is also lovely.
Glad you like them, Brett. Thanks.
Like Michael, I exclaimed “Oh wow!” the second I laid eyes on that
first take-off shot–a dynamic gift from the photo gods……..congrats !
Thank you, Kris.
Indeed it is.
Love looking at all your posted photos. But there are those that make me whisper out loud to myself “Oh wow!”. That takeoff shot is one of them.
I do also like that one where she is looking down and (correctly) assessing the situation.
“I do also like that one where she is looking down and (correctly) assessing the situation.”
I do too, Michael – for reasons related to behavior. I just wish there was a catch light in her eye.