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View Full Version : Eastern Kingbird Fledglings plus Adults and Feeding (2007)

Gary Fairhead
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 19:16
Last year we had great opportunities to get tons of Eastern Kingbird shots as they nested at eye level over the water at Petri Island. This year no such luck.. However on one of the unbeaten paths near my home I noticed a couple nesting...terrible angle and I deleted any shots I got as they were too high and I could not at first tell if there were any nestlings. On this morning as I was walking in waist high grass looking for Least Flycatchers in nearby trees I saw a Kingbird fly accross my path about 100 feet further. I expected that as usual, it would take off when I got within 50 feet...but it stayed. Then I saw why...2 fledglings in a tree to my right. They had probably left the nest a few hours before or the previous night. I stayed with them for about 20 minutes took some shots and moved on. They were still there on my way back . Here are several captures of these great little tyrants

Canon 30D 400mm F5.6 580EX...All comments and critiques welcome.

One of the proud parents

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/2007/newest.jpg

First feed me shot

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/KingFledge6.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/Kingfledge.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/Kingfledge2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/Kingfledge4.jpg

The trap is set

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/IMG_3844.jpg

The moth is not impressed

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/IMG_3845.jpg

The adult looks to me for advice but I dont have any

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/IMG_3848.jpg
Naturalist
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 19:18
Good work! Very nice series of shots.
hTr
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 19:19
Nice behavior series Gary, Very nice Photos as well!
pttenn
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 19:19
That last shot is really special!
Karen
EZRider
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 19:29
Absolutly stunning shots man!!

They really pop off the screen here :)


All great shot but the first one is perfect imo! The light and the background is awesome! Nice post !!
Mike Veltri
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 19:42
sweet pics
ajosteve
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 20:35
Beautiful clear shots. I love the first one, but they are all fine...very nice work...I have to get me one of those big lenses..steve
canonloader
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 20:39
Wow Gary, what a series. We had a lot of Kingbirds this summer, but I saw nothing like this. The light is really nice in all of these and everything is so sharp. Do you use a tripod?
sam walker
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 20:48
well done Gary. We are fond of the kingbird here. They are perhaps the most curious of the large flycatchers regularly following us around the marsh. And they are a handsome bird.
Sam
Lyall
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 20:50
Awesome shots as usual, Gary. The clarity of your photos is always stunning.
downywp
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 01:07
These are all so nice! sharp, detailed and wonderful angles, especially the feeding sequence! The light looks tricky and you handled it very well - Excellent work!:)
jdizzle
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 03:17
Nice shots! Love the short story along with it.
Wayne Wood
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 04:58
brilliant shots Gary , tack sharp and the exposure is perfect
dreamline
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 09:29
A superb series Gary.

#7 is really special. Timing, focus and lighting are spot on.
busbyea
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 13:07
Great series; Love the behaviour & Interaction.

Very nice lighting with good details showing. Poses are extremely nice.

Amazing quality.
aligater
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 13:15
Very nice series Gary, last one is priceless.
BIRDSMARTIN
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 15:14
Very nice Gary, as always you astound me with your total quality. Congratulations.
Douglas
Gary Fairhead
5th of October 2007 (Fri), 20:26
Wow Gary, what a series. We had a lot of Kingbirds this summer, but I saw nothing like this. The light is really nice in all of these and everything is so sharp. Do you use a tripod?

Thanks Mitch and yes I use a tripod quite a bit. I will take the camera off for flight shots or when i am in a sitting position or if the angle is steep. Quite often ( as in this case for a several of the shots) I use the tripod with the legs in...like a monopod. After a few shots I will ease the legs out and go tripod mode. If i am shoorting shore birds or ducks close by then I leave the legs collapsed for the lowest angle...Works for me:D

A big thanks to everyyone who looked and commented...much appreciated and here are two more from the same shoot


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/Kingfledge3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/Kingfledge5.jpg