Belted kingfishers have been my nemesis birds as they seem to be for many others. A couple years ago, my luck changed in a way I doubt it's unlikely to do ever again. (I'd be happy to be wrong, but chances seem slim.)
I happened to be in the right place at the right time for what I think was a food and / or territorial feud between siblings. It didn't last long but the Sony a9, 200-600 zoom with 1.4 extender didn't fail me that day.
I feel your pain regarding Kingfishers Kim but you had a great opportunity and your results are excellent. You got the perched bird and just enough of the approaching bird in focus to make #5 a great and unique shot !
Gary
Nice work Kim...
I have found this to be one of the most difficult species to photograph without relying on extreme crops. I really like pictures 3 and 5.
p.1 #11 · My allotted success with Kingfishers (?)
My favorite bird to document and great documentation we have here! Wow! So cool! All great, but #2 and #5 are my faves.
Went searching for my favorite lady kingfisher this morning. Didn't get the in-flight shots I was looking and prepped for, but she gave me some nice grooming/preening shots which I'll post here in a sec.
p.1 #15 · My allotted success with Kingfishers (?)
csdog08 wrote:
Really nice set. I do understand the nemesis. They are a tough bird to get close to. Those last two are killer!! Nice work
Thanks so much. My shooting style is sit-and-wait due to the skittish nature of everything that moves in the NE. I thank goodness I had the presence of mind to bump my shutter speed to 1/3200 sec as soon as I heard them. The rest was timing and luck on my part. Every once in a while, all the elements line up. Don't give up, and thanks for the comment.
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sum1sgrampa wrote:
I feel your pain regarding Kingfishers Kim but you had a great opportunity and your results are excellent. You got the perched bird and just enough of the approaching bird in focus to make #5 a great and unique shot !
Gary
Thank you, Gary. I was shooting with an "older" a9 and I've gotta say, it worked its magic to help me get these pictures. I appreciate your compliments and fully agree that # 5 is, more than likely, a once-in-a-lifetime standout frame.
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morris wrote:
The forth is my pick Kim. They are tough with there speed, agility and bright white neck
Morris
Thanks, Morris. That setting is where I photographed the turtles (Painteds on Snappers) and it was gorgeous that year with those fabulous greens. Love the perch too (and so glad it wasn't the metal pipe that was sticking up close by!). Yes indeed, those kingfishers are tough, but I feel fortunate to have lucked out with a good variety of poses this time.
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OwlsEyes wrote:
Nice work Kim...
I have found this to be one of the most difficult species to photograph without relying on extreme crops. I really like pictures 3 and 5.
regards,
bruce
Thank you, Bruce. Those are stand-out to me as well. For all the times I've missed with the kingfisher (or salvaged via large crops ), this time everything came together and made up for it. I'm pretty sure I won't get another chance like these two birds gave me that day. But I'll keep trying...
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Erictator wrote:
Great behavioral set! Nice to see the interaction too.
Eric
Thanks, Eric. The interaction was incredible. These two chased each other back and forth across the pond for several minutes, chattering as they do the whole time. They were pretty much a blur, until they weren't! I have some lousier pictures of them that shows one with a crafish in its beak, but lots of the commotion happened without any food showing. These show a fraction of the whole experience, but I'm mighty glad to have gotten them!
p.1 #16 · My allotted success with Kingfishers (?)
louie champan wrote:
Good for you Kim, terrific shots!
Thanks, Louie. This was apparently my consolation prize for all the times I've missed (and cursed them) in the past!
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johnohio wrote:
I feel your pain ! They always give me a hard time. Happy to see your success ! These are super shots !
John
Thank you, John. Up until these, my success with them was nil--not for lack of trying but could never get all the elements together. I appreciate your compliments--thanks!
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Jim Dockery wrote:
Nice set, I've never gotten any like these.
Thanks, Jim. Believe me, I hadn't either--in the ten years I've been shooting digital, nothing close to these. Keep at it though--I'm living proof things can change in a 3200th of a second!
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gcooke0522 wrote:
Nice job on these, Kim! They are a very tough bird to photograph. They move very fast and unpredictably. Well done!
Gord
Thank you, Gord. See my reply to Ericator above for the rest of the story. If it weren't for them repeatedly crossing back and forth across the pond, I'd have had nothing to show for my time there. Don't give up!
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jcnemy wrote:
My favorite bird to document and great documentation we have here! Wow! So cool! All great, but #2 and #5 are my faves.
Went searching for my favorite lady kingfisher this morning. Didn't get the in-flight shots I was looking and prepped for, but she gave me some nice grooming/preening shots which I'll post here in a sec.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, fellow kingfisher aficionado! I'd love to say I planned those two perfectly, but as I said to Gord and Ericator (above), I credit the kingfishers for making themselves known (their racket could have raised the dead ) and being in the right place at the right time--with the right shutter speed. I look forward to seeing your preening pictures as I never tire of kingfisher portraits.
p.1 #19 · My allotted success with Kingfishers (?)
Kim - These are fantastic, I have never shot Kingfishers but I have heard how difficult they can be. You nailed these ! Really like the 5th image - Confrontation with male.
), this time everything came together and made up for it. I'm pretty sure I won't get another chance like these two birds gave me that day. But I'll keep trying...