Juvenile Western Kingbird hovering near an adult – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I went up north yesterday to photograph Burrowing Owls but because of road construction the owls were very skittish but on the way to Howell, Utah some Western Kingbirds kept me busy as two juveniles begged for food from an adult.
Juvenile Western Kingbird hovering in flight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The juveniles flew in while I was photographing the adult and they took me by surprise. Fortunately I was able to lock onto this juvenile as it hovered in flight close to the perched adult.
Juvenile Western Kingbird calling while in flight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
And as the juvenile chattered away I got a nice series of images of it with green vegetation and a field of golden grain that had been harvested in the background.
An adult and juvenile Western Kingbird perched together – Nikon D810, f9, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The adult didn’t have prey when the juvenile flew in but that didn’t stop the juvenile from begging as it clung to the wooden post below the adult.
Two juvenile Western Kingbirds begging for food from the adult – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Then a second juvenile kingbird flew in and begged for food while it hovered near its sibling and the adult. This was all happening so quick that the buffer on my Nikon D810 started to fill and with that body that does not happen very often.
Juvenile Western Kingbird begging for food while perched – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The adult kingbird and one of the juveniles flew off leaving this one still begging for food and when its cries weren’t answered it flew off too.
Adult Western Kingbird with prey (green sweat bee?) – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The adult flew back in to another perch nearby with what appears to be a green sweat bee which it gobbled up quickly. They need to eat too!
So even though I didn’t come home with many Burrowing Owls images yesterday these Western Kingbird images more than made up for it!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Kingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Hi! Love the photo’s of your birds! Have a great day!
I like all your posts, but this one is simply outstanding. Thank you for all the pictures you take and for
your advocacy of all things big and small.
Perfection
Wow. Beautiful beggars, wonderful series.
What a terrific set of photos. You must have been very happy when you saw them So sharp and natural tones yet bright and vibrant. Not to mention nice lighting a good behaviors. You were on form!
No doubt about it Mia, you’ve gotten really good at this “photography game.”
Another nice series… ;-)))
Love to watch the spunky Kingbirds in our neighborhood. Thanks for the great images.
Well Mia, you have really outdone yourself this time! That second image is a true marvel which is not to say that the others aren’t absolutely wonderful.
very nice. Love your photography.
If I could be half as good as you with a camera, I would be twice as happy!