Bobby Harrison Bird Photography: Pic of the Day

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Pic of the Day

Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon: Big Cyprus National Park, Florida
Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/2500 sec. @ f5.6

For decades I have tried to photograph a Belted Kingfisher. I cannot tell you how many times I have driven down the highway and seen kingfishers perched in the perfect locations, just to have them take flight as soon as I step on the brakes to slow down. I can’t recall a single time when I had even gotten close to getting a shot.

This past week, December 30^th it all changed. While birding along the Tamiami Trail in southern Florida I stopped at the slough next to Clyde Butcher’s Photography Gallery. As I pulled in to the parking lot, a kingfisher alighted on a branch about a halfway across the slough. I could not help myself, I grabbed my camera and headed to slough with hopes of photographing a kingfisher.

I had expected the kingfisher to fly from its perch as soon as I got out of the van, but it remained on the perch. I was too far from the bird for a descent shot, so I began to slowly walk toward the bird. Much to my surprise the kingfisher didn’t fly. I took a few shots, and could not believe I was actually photographing a kingfisher. But, there were a few leaves obstructing the birds tail feathers, and I needed to be in a different position. Again I picked up camera and tripod and moved until I found the angle I was looking for. Once I was in the right spot I began to shoot, and shoot, and shoot. I took almost 200 images before the kingfisher dropped into the water, and then flew to a secluded branch with a fish.

I hear that patience is a virtue, all I can say is that I have been patiently waiting for this photograph for decades, and I finally got it. Now, if I could just get a kingfisher photo with a fish in its beak!