Male Belted Kingfisher with freshly caught prey – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
More snow has stayed on the ground at Farmington Bay than it has where I live and that excites me because I can get snow in the background of my images that are taken there. Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph the continuing male Belted Kingfisher with the snow-covered marsh in the background, a few times he even had prey. At home the snow has only stayed on the ground where there are shadows all day because of the low angle of the winter sun.
Once the kingfisher flew down and as he snatched prey from the water below I got set up to capture some landing shots because I expected him to land on his favorite perch, I pre-focused on the perch… but he didn’t appear in my field of view. Then I saw that he had landed on a second nearby perch instead of his favorite post. Ah, the best laid plans and all that. So I quickly swung my lens towards the second perch and was able to photograph him as he swallowed the fish.
Belted Kingfisher after eating his prey – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Truth be told, I was happy to photograph him on the second nearby post because there were some grasses above the snow in the background which gave the images a bit more interest than a plain white, snowy area might have. In this frame the kingfisher had just finished shaking after he consumed the small fish.
Perky looking male Belted Kingfisher – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The Belted Kingfisher didn’t stay on the post very long after he ate the fish, he shook, raised his tail, defecated and flew back to his favorite perch that is closer to the water below.
This kingfisher is likely to hang around the same area of Farmington Bay WMA until the surface of water in the small creek freezes solid and then he will move on until he finds another water source that is open. Even though we have had snow here it is still much warmer than it normally is at this time of the year so he may stick around all winter if this warm trend continues.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Belted Kingfisher photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great images Mia. I love the shade of blue in the cold / snow environment of the Kingfisher. It almost looks like its feather crown is partially frozen.
Looks like me at a sushi bar. Although, I do have better manners. Great pic Mia.
Love the mighty hunter. Thank you.
Wonderful series….
Gorgeous images, Mia.