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 30th 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!



Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon: Big Cyprus National Park, Florida
Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1250 second @ f5.6

Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon: Big Cyprus National Park, Florida
Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/200 second @ f7.1

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