Young Western Kingbird after eating a bug – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While I was out exploring in the West Desert three days ago I spotted this young Western Kingbird perched on a barbed wire fence close to the road. After quickly pulling over I was able to lock onto the kingbird right after it ate a bug. This image shows the young kingbird swallowing the insect with nothing but the sky behind it.
Immature Western Kingbird in the West Desert – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
A few moments later I moved my Jeep forward to get some of the sky island mountain foothills behind the immature kingbird. I wasn’t enthusiastic about the plain blue sky in the previous frames that I had taken.
Young Western Kingbird in a desert – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This young Western Kingbird was using the fence as a spotting location for the insects they were hunting both on the ground and in the air. Not long after I took this photo the kingbird lifted off and caught something in the air.
Young Western Kingbird looking over desert foothills – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I moved forward to continue photographing the immature bird I had dried grasses in the background of these frames and the distant foothills. The kingbird seemed unconcerned about my presence as it looked around for more prey to capture and consume.
West Desert immature Western Kingbird – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After a few minutes another young kingbird flew in and chased this one off the barbed wire perch. I was delighted to have the young Western Kingbird in my viewfinder for as long as I did.
I’ve been avoiding locations where I typically have better chances of seeing this species because of deer flies. I am so severely allergic to their bites that I am deeply concerned about being bitten again especially when I am alone.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Kingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Really interesting narrative and pics. You certainly captured the Kingbirds alertness as it looked for some munchies. Thanks Mia.
I am glad that you had success and am glad that you could avoid the deer flies – which as far as I know we don’t have.
I love the baby face! Be safe!
So precious. Sorry about the deer flies. Ours have “left”, had several weeks where they made the walks miserable glad neither of us are allergic.