Male Belted Kingfisher tossing his prey into the air – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
It was sunny and cool yesterday morning and it felt great to get out into the field. I had fun photographing a male Belted Kingfisher at Farmington Bay as he caught prey and ate it on a post near a little creek. Even though I didn’t have the best light on the kingfisher’s face I loved the action in this frame with the fish in the air and the kingfisher’s bill wide open to catch it.
Not long after this frame was taken the kingfisher lost this fish when it slipped out of his bill and landed on the ground below the post.
Male Belted Kingfisher lifting off from a post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The Belted Kingfisher was actively hunting yesterday and I had several opportunities to photograph it as it left the post and as he landed on it with prey. In this photo I caught the kingfisher at the moment he left the post.
Male Belted Kingfisher with tiny fish – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
And this image was taken right as the kingfisher landed on the post with another tiny fish in his bill. I like the raised wings, the tipped up tail, the view of the kingfisher’s tiny legs and the fish in his bill.
Male Belted Kingfisher landing with prey – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
In this next landing pose the kingfisher was getting his balance on the post and then settled in to eat his prey.
Belted Kingfisher male with a fish in his bill – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I took a 113 image burst with the D500 as the kingfisher lifted off, caught the prey, landed on the post and then consumed the prey and never once felt like I needed to worry about my buffer filling up. I am loving the Nikon D500 for photographing birds!
Belted Kingfisher male shaking his feathers – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
After the kingfisher ate the tiny fish he shook his feathers off before he flew away. I’m glad this male Belted Kingfisher has stuck around Farmington Bay because it has given me more opportunities to photograph him.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Belted Kingfisher photos plus facts and information about this species.
great shots Mia…thanks for sharing!!
Love the texture of the post and that it pairs perfectly with the backround.The Belted Kingfisher looks great (so cute with tail pointing upwards). I enjoy your high quality work and look forward to seeing more in the future.
Beautiful photos, I hope to see him in my future travels.
Really special Mia, thanks.
That first image is a winner! Did you see the story of the bid for oil and gas lease that was rejected by the BLM because they didn’t think the environmentalist couple would actually use it?
“The BLM’s decision to reject our lease bids highlights the agency’s misdirected and antiquated approach to fossil fuels,” said Terry Tempest Williams. “This case shines a light on BLM’s fidelity to the oil and gas industry while willfully ignoring the urgency—in an era of climate change—of more enlightened management of the public lands that belong to the American people.”
Excellent site with a lot of good information and a guided search: westernlaw.org
Thank you Utahbooklover.
I have been following the oil leases and Terry Tempest and Brooke Williams struggles with the BLM lands, I know them both personally and know that they are doing the right thing by appealing the BLM decision. I am in their corner. Thanks for sharing the link to WesternLaw.org.
You’re welcome Mia. Good to know you follow so many environmental issues. I only know Terry by her books and documentaries I’ve seen on KUED. I see the site is also known as the Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) — I must add them to my ever growing donation list.
A very entertaining bird…
They really are very entertaining Patty!
What a cute little bird! Happy Thanksgiving, Mia!
Thanks Kim, I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
A wonderful series of images Mia. This species has eluded me to date!
Thank you Glen, they used to be a nemesis bird for me too. I hope you get to see & photograph them soon!
More spectacular photos, Mia.
Thanks Bob, he was fun to photograph.