Belted Kingfisher...

[jprzybyla]

I have been trying to photograph this guy for a long time. I saw him frequently but always in the distance. Monday that changed. Not the best, I wish the light had been different. But with nature photography you cannot plan it. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

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[ggt]

I like his expression in the last pic!

Are his wings that blue/black color or is it a PP issue? I don't know how to distinguish it. I guess, from the neck, it is a bit overexposed???

I like him non-the-less!

[Cantab]

Very good photos, especially when compared to my recent attempt on a kingfisher that was too far away
I like being able to see his tongue.
What length of telephoto did you use?

[Bobobird]

They do make it a point to stay as far away as your lens x 4

Nice catch.

[botspur]

Hi Joe, a good effort. As you said the circumstances were not in your favour, which means you have to go back, have fun and good luck.

[jprzybyla]

I like his expression in the last pic!

Are his wings that blue/black color or is it a PP issue? I don't know how to distinguish it. I guess, from the neck, it is a bit overexposed???

I like him non-the-less!

Thanks you Gretchen for commenting. Regarding the color and the overexposure from the neck up both were caused by pulling detail out of shadows on the image. I wanted the eye to show and in doing so most likely overexposed that area.

[jprzybyla]

Very good photos, especially when compared to my recent attempt on a kingfisher that was too far away
I like being able to see his tongue.
What length of telephoto did you use?

Thank you for viewing and commenting Bruce. I shot these with a Nikon 55-300mm at the long end. That would be 450mm compared to the full frame equivilent.

[jprzybyla]

They do make it a point to stay as far away as your lens x 4

Nice catch.

Thanks Bobo, very much appreciated.

[jprzybyla]

Hi Joe, a good effort. As you said the circumstances were not in your favour, which means you have to go back, have fun and good luck.

Thanks Clive, I was back there today but no kingfisher but I did hike out to the eagle's nest. Shot a Bald Eagle hanging out around the nest, surprised they are using the tree the nest is in this time of year.

[Cantab]

Joe, did you see any eaglets in the nest? If so, it's another photo op!

[jprzybyla]

Joe, did you see any eaglets in the nest? If so, it's another photo op!

Hi Bruce, no eaglets...wrong time of the year for nesting in Florida, but I am sure they will use the nest again next spring. Below I have posted a photograph I took today showing the nest and eagles. I did not want to get too close to make them feel insecure whereas they were still hanging around the nest. If you look closely you can see vegatation growing out of the nest, when they nest again they will cover that with more sticks and branches. That is why year by year eagles nests become larger. Another thought... these may be the eaglets that were hatched last year, not sure.