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