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Project Noah Nature School
Megaceryle alcyon
Canal/ deciduous habitat
This was the closest I've ever gotten to a kingfisher. I had spotted him prior to hitting the trail, and it wasn't long before that familiar call told me I had been spotted. I had seen the fallen tree that it had been in, so I just went to the tree, set up my tripod and camera, and sat......for 10 seconds! It landed right in front of me trying to make out what I was and even let out a call! It was a very exciting moment, and oddly enough, it posed for about 15 shots or so before flying off and providing one more alarm call.
Spotted on Jun 8, 2012
Submitted on Jan 23, 2014
25 Comments (1–25)
Thanks Marshall. This will probably never happen to me with a kingfisher again:) it was an awesome experience!
WOW! This is such a beautiful picture. Love these birds. They are pretty elusive from my experience, so what a nice opportunity for you! Thanks so much for sharing!
Than you very much Chamalka!
Wow.....Awesome photos!!!!
Thanks so much Gilma, that is very kind of you to say. Much appreciated.
Love your story of how you got your picture, it is a lovely shot, thank you for sharing, I hope you get SOTD soon.... : )
Thanks Arya! I never changed the white balance, but I did change the aperture in the series, but not by much. The only thing I can think if is that it was windy that particular day and there were a lot of fluffy white clouds moving about. Perhaps that had an effect on the photo. In a series if 15 shots, the first picture was the first, the second picture was the fourth, and the third picture was the last. Good eye. I had never really noticed that.
Did you adjust the white balance between shot 2 and 3?
The clarity in this is awesome! Nice shot Bill
Thanks Karen for making my pic the fun fact today:) Kd, thanks for the very kind words, and yes, they are never cooperative birds. That is for sure!
Beautiful kingfisher Bill! They are notoriously difficult to photograph clearly. absolutely love these birds. Your images show how beautiful nature is.
Fun fact! Although it is the male that boasts the most striking plumage in the majority of bird species, in the case of the belted kingfisher it is the female that is the most colorful. She can be distinguished from her mate by the presence of a broad chestnut band across her chest and chestnut streaks on her sides. Belted Kingfishers are monogamous within each breeding season but form new pairs every year, and both birds share nest building and parenting duties. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...
Thanks Dilan, Emily and Adarsha! It was a pretty cool nature moment to be so close to this wonderful gal.
Adorably cute :)_
Lovely!
Beautiful photos!!Nice!!
Thanks Noel! Thank you Jemma for the gender ID.
this is a female.
Wow! Great spot!
Thanks Ashley! They hate me too, but I must have been wearing the right cologne that day:)
Awesome photos, Bill! These birds hate me so much haha
Thank you Melody! Much appreciated and always willing to share. Glad you liked it.
Wonderful spotting, thanks for sharing!
Thanks Tom. This was highly unusual, as I've never gotten closer than 50 yards or so unless they are flying by. Glad it happened though:)
Lucky you! I've always had a tough time getting anywhere near a kingfisher. Great pics!