I spent yesterday morning high up in the Wasatch Mountains where part of the time I focused on photographing the Belted Kingfishers that I found in two counties.
Calling female Belted Kingfisher high in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I had stopped to look for small migrant birds in a stand of leafless willows when I heard the chattering of this female Belted Kingfisher not far from where I had parked my Jeep. I turned the engine back on and moved forward just enough to have a clear view of her. As my “mobile blind” moved forward she turned her back towards me but I was able to take lots of photos of her when she turned her head.
When she called another distant Belted Kingfisher would reply. I never did see the kingfisher that responded to her calls.
Female Belted Kingfisher perched over a mountain pond – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The female Belted Kingfisher was perched on a branch that hangs over a pond that was created by beavers that have been busy building dams in the area for several years. Just a tiny bit of her rusty red belly feathers are shown in this photo near her left wing and the branch she is perched on.
Male Belted Kingfisher swallowing a fish – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Later in the morning and in a different county I had parked near a creek to sit, watch and wait to see if any migrating birds would fly in when some movement caught my eye. A male Belted Kingfisher had flown in with a small fish and perched where I could photograph him. By the time I got my camera raised and focused on him the fish was no longer visible in his bill but he was still in the process of swallowing it.
Belted Kingfisher male in flight – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Because it was getting to be later in the morning the vehicle and foot traffic was getting heavier on the muddy road and when a group of people walked past where I was parked the male kingfisher lifted off and flew to another perch near the creek but farther from the road. I took a few more photos of him on the new perch and some of a Turkey Vulture that floated by over the mountains.
Since the sun was starting to get high in the sky I thanked the kingfisher and started to head towards home. It was a wonderful, sunny, peaceful and very relaxing morning and I’m very glad that I decided to head up into the mountains.
I also photographed some Uinta Ground Squirrels yesterday morning and I will share some of those photos tomorrow along with the stories behind the images.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Belted Kingfisher photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wow! What a great series of pics!The difference between the male and female Kingfisher’s is fascinating. Thanks Mia.
For me a very difficult bird to photograph because they are so fast !! And fairly rate here in Rhode Island.
I had not realized the difference between the male and female. It’s amazing how much a person can miss even when seeing a bird frequently. I also would have guessed that the one with the rust was the female, but in this rare case the female is brighter and prettier than the male. Thanks so much to your bits of information on each critter! Loved these pictures and checked out your pictures of the female also!
Many thanks.
I am so glad that you were able to enjoy a bit of feathered heart balm, and very, very glad you shared the wonder.
Fantastic shots, Mia. I especially like the ones you took of the male — the behaviors are clearly shown and the shots are high-quality — batting 1000! 🙂 There’s also something quite endearing about the female — and her little feather that’s out of place.
They are wonderful photos! Such interesting birds, for some reason burrowing birds peak my interests. Where there is a niche there is an inhabitant.
You have peak my interest so now I will have to go.
I am terribly envious. They have such keen eyesight that the only way I’ve been able to get a good shot of them is like you from the blind of a car.
Trouble is, I don’t have a location that you can drive by where the birds perch.
They are so beautiful and I love their distinctive voice.
Thanks for sharing
My nemesis! Fantastic photos.
Very. Cool photos, Mia
These are excellent Belted Kingfisher photos…beautiful sharp images with catchlight in the eyes. The subjects are nicely isolated with soft backgrounds.