Checkout this Iridescent Bird: Common Kingfisher Striking Poses

They Brighten Up a Dreary Day

 

 

 

The bird was drying feathers, preening and, watching the stream below. 

It had made a few dives but, came back without any fish after each attempt.

Perched on a dead tree that had fallen over the waterway, it didn't notice me, sneaking closer.

The camera was equipped with the Sigma 50-500mm but, I wanted some close up images.

A Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) isn't much larger than a sparrow.

They are probably the most colorful bird on this island.

Whenever the opportunity comes along, it's a good idea to shoot some gigabytes of them.

A series of 8 photos were used in compiling this animated GIF.

Now, it's time for me to go celebrate with a cold beer.

Learn more about the Kingfisher at ARKive

Related Post:  Territorial Bird -- Common Kingfisher

Territorial Bird -- Common Kingfisher

A Guy Finds a Favorite Fishing Spot

 

 

Nobody is supposed to come along and violate your fishing rights.

Well, things happen, sometimes.

Another Kingfisher decides to go fishing at the same spot.

And, he has to say something even if she, is his mate.

He has to be saying something like, "You stay on your side and, I'll stay on mine."

 These birds eat, about 60%of their body weight in fish, daily.

They don't want anybody interfering with the food supply, especially some girl or, wife.

This dispute ended peacefully but, it doesn't always happen that way.

Sometimes, these birds will lock beaks and, see who can drown the other !

Related Post:

This Little Bird Whacks a Fish to Death

This Little Bird Whacks a Fish to Death

The Kingfisher Takes Its Prey Back to a Perch

 

 

Here's one smacking a little fish on a rock to kill it before gulping it down.

If the fish were alive, it might spread its fins to keep from being swallowed.

The bird doesn't want to choke on a live fish, refusing to be eaten.

Once the fish stops fighting and is sort of pulverized, down the hatch it goes.

 This is the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis).

It is also known as a River Kingfisher or, Eurasian Kingfisher.

In Japanese, it is called a Kawasemi (カワセミ).

Learn more about this bird at the following sites:

ARKive

BIRDGUIDES

A wetland wildlife site in Singapore gave me this information, deserving of a quote:

"Before eating a fish, the bird will hold it by its tail and whack it to death against the perch,

 particularly fishes with poky fins.

Otherwise, the live fish may extend its fins in the bird's throat, choking it, sometimes to death."

Japanese readers may wish to visit Okinawa-kaeru 

Wildlife Photo: A Kingfisher Motion GIF

Captured with a Pentax K3 and Sigma 50-500

 

The lens was stretched all the way out to 500mm and, I was too far away to hear the bird.

Maybe, I should have taken better care of my ears when I was younger.

It would be nice to know if that bird was doing some sort of mating ritual.

Or, do you suppose, he was just singing for his supper ?

Bird Photos: This Kingfisher Made My Day

The Big Sigma Lens Was at Home

Today we went down south to deliver a photo to Itoman City.

One of those overcast days convinced me there was no sense looking for birds.

So, I was only using the Pentax 18-250mm lens.

After lunch in Naha, we decided to go see how the Spoonbills were doing in Tomigusuku.

If Doc hadn't spotted this Kingfisher, I would never have known it was there.

Shooting with the lens stretched all the way out, I used up about 10 gigabytes of SD card.

Auto Awesome did the rest for me.

One of these days, I may do a blog post to show how easy it is to create these motion GIF files.

All you really do, is load 5 or more photos to your Google+ account.

And, they do the rest for you -- FREE !

Wildlife Photos: The Kingfisher and Ten Quick Shots

Today I'm in a bit of a rush; people to see, places go and things to do so, I'm just throwing up these ten quick shots I took of a Kingfisher while walking my dogs at the beach one day in Okinawa, Japan.

Kingfishers can be pretty hard to shoot when you're not prepared and that's the way I was that day.

The best way to catch them would be have a tripod set up and stake out an area where you know they'll show.  Then wait.

This guy saw me coming and played hide and seek while watching me out of the corner of his eye as I tried to maneuver into a position where I could catch him in the right light.

And when he got tired of me sneaking around zooming in on him with a 500mm lens I guess he decided he had people to see, places to go and things to do, too.  So, he left and ended the photo shoot.

The next time I show you ten quick shots of a Kingfisher they'll be different.  I'll be ready.

Wildlife Photo (Bird) Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

The Common or European Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) may be found near river banks and shorelines. They hunt for their prey in relatively shallow waters, consuming close to 60% of their bodyweight in small fish, daily.

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This Little Bird Whacks a Fish to Death

More Wildlife Photography from Okinawa, Japan may be seen HERE.