First Belted Kingfisher

Gallery: AvianPosted October 17, 2012131 views11 comments

Been a long time since I shared an image with you all so I'd like to change that with an image I made on Sunday of a belted kingfisher.

I finally saw my first belted kingfishers in the wild last Thursday and made a lousy documentary image from really far away just to prove I'd seen them. On Sunday I returned after storms cleared the area and found a nice place to set up on one of the perches I'd seen them using on Thursday. After 2 hours in my temporary hide I was rewarded when one of them flew right onto the perch I'd singled out.

3 minutes was all I got but I did get a couple of perched shots that I like. Thanks for looking.

50D, 100-400 @ 400, ISO 200, 1/2000 @ f/7.1, distance 80/90 feet

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on October 17, 2012 at 7:06 PM

This is really nice Wayne. Sounds like waiting in a hide is the way to go.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on October 17, 2012 at 7:35 PM

I've reached the documentary stage on these myself.

I've heard the Kingfisher raspberry more times than I care to admit. Good closeup. Looks like you had some harsh light to deal with.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 17, 2012 at 7:57 PM

Gotta love the Kingfisher. Great cartoonish look on her face. I really like the iridescence that you have gotten in the chest bands and side. And I like the diagonal perch. I think that this is a young female. The sky seems just a bit intense, but I wasn't there.

Good job.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 18, 2012 at 1:49 AM

One of my nemesis birds.... very irritating!
Nice catch of this one - like the open beak and perch.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Nall on October 18, 2012 at 3:29 PM

You did GOOD Wayne, that is a nicely lighted, detailed capture. I've only photographed them from a distance, darn hard to get close to. I can really appreciate this image!

Registered on October 5, 2012, 45 Posts, 168 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 18, 2012 at 4:07 PM

Congrats on your first KF Wayne, terrific pose you captured! I'd crop a little from the right and add more on the left if you have it.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 18, 2012 at 7:26 PM

I know how you must feel after getting this! This is a nicely detailed bird and perch. I agree with Nate re: the crop. Congrats on this VERY difficult subject! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on October 19, 2012 at 9:39 AM

Thanks for the feedback and comments everyone. Nate, I do have more room per your crop suggestion.

This was shot in bright late afternoon light, shortly after the sky had been scrubbed clean with good rains so I did have a deep blue sky to work with. I had strong winds blowing in my favor which helped drown out the shutter clicks (at least I think) and allowed me a bit more time than I might have gotten with this female.

I hope to spend some more time with these birds and with any luck get a decent flight shot. Thanks again.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 19, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Your patience and planning were well rewarded. I would be delighted to have this in my files.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 18, 2013 at 9:06 AM

Congratulation on this, your first of the species.. wish I could say it

Beautiful bird Wayne - I like the parted beak, crest, and perch. Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on April 18, 2013 at 8:42 PM

Very nice shot. I seldom see one here.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments