Upon returning from a hectic Florida birding photo trip in early September, we resumed our regular walk at Bolsa Chica. Much to our surprise, we saw a Belted Kingfisher (something we also saw in Florida but unable to photograph due to extremely poor lighting). Throughout the course of next days and weeks, the Kingfisher had become a "flavor of the month" (see another of September's Flavor of the month).
The Belted Kingfisher is a very skittish bird. The slightest sight of a photographer from 100' away would be enough to send them packing. With patience, team work, and a little luck, we've managed to capture a few looks of this hard-to-get bird. All photos were taken either in late afternoons or early mornings.
As of this week (Dec. 1), the Belted Kingfisher is still present at Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Its loud trilling calls can be heard throughout the day. Yesterday we came upon one on a perch less than 20 feet away from the trail but there was also dense fog so we just walked on...
Thank you for viewing.
wonderful series. You got so many shots of her. I only got two. But I may be heading down soon again. Or to San Joaquine... Or El Dorado.... We'll see.....
kirry007 wrote:
Beautiful... you have obtained more pictures of this bird than anyone does in a year. Great stuff, nice action !
Appreciated. It sure helps that BC is virtually our backyard so we can take a walk there almost every day. We're pretty sure that other local photographers got tons more photos of this bird than we do. But thank you, Kirry.
wonderful series. You got so many shots of her. I only got two. But I may be heading down soon again. Or to San Joaquine... Or El Dorado.... We'll see.....
My favorites are # 3,4 6, & 10
Well done
Lil
Thank you, Lil.
Better check the weather b4 u go. It's been foggy every of this week. And today there's absolutely no sunshine at all.
A & H
Wow - I'm just so-o-o jealous! I live in Florida and have been trying to get even a halfway decent shot of a Kingfisher. I haven't yet been successfull at it! I like #1 and # 3 best, but ALL are beautiful! Some day I hope to get close to the work you manage to do with the Kingfisher - one of my favorite birds...
As you noted these guys are not easy to work with.
Tim
Thanks very much, Tim.
One day as we were walking towards the back trail, we heard the unmistakable calls of the KF then we looked up and saw two KF chasing each other. We got most of the pics on that day, as they were too occupied to notice us.
