Stopping by a local creek to check for waterfowl I caught sight of a belted kingfisher sitting on a branch overhanging the water. With no chance for a photo because of intervening brush and a locked gate precluding me moving the car any farther my only chance for a photo was to get out of the vehicle. As I expected the kingfisher flew away as the car door opened.
Moments later the kingfisher flew past again. Looking at the overhanging branch I realized that it was a perfect lookout spot. Knowing that kingfishers will use a favored perch repeatedly I decided there was a good chance that the bird would soon return. Setting up the camera rig I waited motionless and was rewarded with the kingfisher returning withing about 15 minutes. However I had not taken into account a nearby tree just to the left of the perch. Although I had a clear view of the bird the out-of-focus tree washed soft color across the image keeping it from being the image I had hoped for.
At times it is desirable to use nearby out of focus objects to impart softness and color to an image; however this time it was not the case.
A short time later I spotted the kingfisher a considerable distance way creating quite a commotion. I have observed kingfishers catching fish by diving but this bird was flying low over the water repeatedly submerging and emerging. My guess would be that it was taking a bath, however I am not familiar enough with kingfisher behaviour to be certain.
Visit Camera Critters and post your own Critter for all to enjoy
11 comments:
What a beautiful bird with interesting hairstyle :)
Beautiful photos, too.
Regards and best wishes
Coy, great capture! I've found the Kingfisher to be rather elusive. Very quick to flight. Glad you got a decent shot of one!
I love his wild hairdo :)
Love the Kingfisher capture!
This is a great picture. I have seen them taking a bath this way,but that would sam like what he is doing.
Captured beautifully!
My Critter Post, have a blessed weekend.
Love the Kingfishers, but they're not easy to photograph. It may not be the image you wanted, but it's still good.
Great shots! I hope to see one again at a nearby body of water to the west of us this year.
Maybe not quite what you had in your mind's eye, but still a very nice shot!
The Kingfishers are one of my favorite birds.They seem to spook easily around me. Great sighting and photos.
Beautiful pictures. I find kingfishers difficult to capture and you did a great job.
Post a Comment