Spring male Belted Kingfisher portrait – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I took my first of year male Belted Kingfisher portrait photos three days ago high in the Wasatch Mountains when this bird flew in close to me.
The male kingfisher had been perched on the other side of a fast flowing alpine creek when he dove for prey. Instead of flying back to where he had been previously perched he flew into a willow thicket which was close to where I had sat in my parked Jeep.
When circumstances allow I love taking portraits of my subjects because I appreciate the fine details that show in close up photos. I didn’t approach this kingfisher, he approached me.
As I observed and photographed this male Belted Kingfisher he captured four tiny fish from the creek. Each time he left the branch he was perched on to dive into the water he gave his rattling call.
The shadow on his bill and the bright willow branch behind his head were unfortunate. But this is a wild bird doing exactly what he wanted to do.
Me? I felt lucky to be this close to him and in the right spot at precisely the right time.
After the Belted Kingfisher left and flew out of sight I drove up the road and continued to look for more birds in the mountains. My most exciting find was when I heard a Sora calling later in the morning about 10 miles away from where I photographed the kingfisher. I typically don’t think of Soras as high country birds.
Over the next few days I probably won’t be out in the field much because we are supposed to get some much needed rain. I hope we do get the moisture. Everything is so dry here already and the hot, dry days of summer haven’t even begun.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Belted Kingfisher photos plus facts and information about this species.
Belted Kingfishers seem to have such interesting personalities. Thank you for sharing this fellow. Crossing fingers that your rain forecast comes to fruition!
I really appreciate this portrait – as I always do. And hope, fervently that much needed rain does fall.