Young Eastern Kingbird hawking insects from a barbed wire fence – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This has not been a typical year for me, or for anyone else, and because of that I have spent less time at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge which is one of my favorite places in northern Utah to look for birds. The last time I was at the refuge was the 23rd of June. June is a busy month for birds at the refuge, August is a bit slower and definitely hotter, at least it is this year.
In June I discovered where a Eastern Kingbird might have been nesting next to the road to the auto tour route at the refuge and yesterday I may have seen the young from that nest hunting insects on their own. The two immature Eastern Kingbirds kept me busy yesterday morning for about 2 minutes. During that time I took 190 images.
Because I’ve spent most of my time up in the mountains to escape the heat the last three years I haven’t had as many opportunities with Eastern Kingbirds as I would like. The two minutes I had with these young kingbirds yesterday helped make up for that. I would have been happy with just the photo above.
Immature Eastern Kingbird lifting off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The immature Eastern Kingbirds were busy looking for prey and that meant I was able to photograph them lifting off from the barbed wire fence on a few of their foraging attempts.
I have to say, I really love the pose I caught this young Eastern Kingbird in.
Young Eastern Kingbird and wild sunflowers – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was also delighted when the kingbirds landed on a fence near some Common Sunflowers because the flowers added a nice pop of yellow and green to the images I took.
Immature Eastern Kingbird looking over its shoulder – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And the immature Eastern Kingbirds also gave me several different poses as they perched on the fence and looked around for prey.
By the way, the visible fleshy gapes of both of the Eastern Kingbirds I photographed yesterday was the only feature I needed to see to determine that they were young birds and not adults.
Young Eastern Kingbird in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I only had two minutes with these immature Eastern Kingbirds and I felt I had to make every second I had with them in my viewfinder count. I succeeded.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Eastern Kingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great group of pics. Although the Eastern Kingbird is a new entry to my limited ornithological dictionary, it is a fascinating bird. The Kingbird’s movement you caught in the 2nd shot seems so athletic and graceful; made me think of Rudolf Nureyev. Thanks Mia.
This is like super-model in a studio quality!
Well done! 🙂
Wonderful series, each photo is composed to nicely to show the plumage (and yellow gape) against the flowers in the background. I saw our first-of-season Eastern Kingbirds only this past week.
What an incredible two minutes.
All of these photos delight me but my eye is drawn again and again to the second. Thank you.
Another outstanding set! #2 is striking. Thanks for sharing.
That first lift-off pose is such a striking gesture! Once again, I think you have helped me ID a bird that I saw while on a walk. For a few minutes, you have captured a great variety. Well done!
Beautiful! You definitely made the most of 2 minutes. The second and third shots are extra-special.
These are stunning, the sunflower yellows are delightful. How were the deer flies?
All of your images are beautiful but that liftoff pose is just magical! Living in northern California I have only seen one Eastern Kingbird which was a huge draw for the local birders. I didn’t realize they were fairly common as far west as Idaho.
Love all of these photos. Almost as if he/she was posing for you.
Great photos! The pose in #2 is striking! I always enjoy your explanations and related stories.
Yes, you absolutely succeeded! The second photo looks as tho “she’s” a flamboyant flamenco dancer!