Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)

[tupe]

Or at least that's what this little bird appears to be. I had never actually seen one before, and had no idea the tiny speck in my viewfinder was when I spotted his(?) silhouette this morning:
http://typelogic.com/photos/king_sm_blue.jpg

I went back at lunchtime for another chance with better results:
http://typelogic.com/photos/king2_320.jpg

This one is my favorite - he seems to be daydreaming on a warm spring day:
http://typelogic.com/photos/king1.jpg

[robertwgross]

Yup, that's the one. You will always find them facing toward the water. When they dive for prey, they are very noisy. Watch one of them if they catch a small fish. The fish will be wiggling, trying to get loose from the beak. The kingfisher will smack the fish back and forth onto the tree branch until the fish is comatose, then <gulp> down the hatch.

---Bob Gross---

[dancinec]

Not a bad shot Joe, considering I have only one on a wire and it took off as soon as I came near. You did well.

[Photodawg1]

Joe,
What a wonderful way to spend the day! Those are great. You are so close! These are pretty tough to capture. Keep them coming!. They do fish, I have shots of one, but you wouln't know if it's a fisher or a bee they are so tiny. I like the middle and last one...it's so strange seeing such an urban backdrop.

[tupe]

Not a bad shot Joe, considering I have only one on a wire and it took off as soon as I came near. You did well.Thanks, Dennis. I was lucky enough to be in the right place on the right day.

Joe,
What a wonderful way to spend the day! Those are great. You are so close! These are pretty tough to capture. Keep them coming!. They do fish, I have shots of one, but you wouln't know if it's a fisher or a bee they are so tiny. I like the middle and last one...it's so strange seeing such an urban backdrop.Thanks - I'm keeping an eye out for him. Sorry, I didn't intend to hijack your thread. I like the view you got - can't see this guy's chest, so I don't know if he had any of the rust coloring like yours.

After I took these shots the city did some major work on the little park, and I haven't seen the variety that was there last year. More people may be using it, as well.

[Gary Fairhead]

A very cool bird and one that is extremely hard to get close to. Its like they have radar..you did well under the circumstances.

[tupe]

Thanks, Gary. I suppose he was hungry enough to forget about me for a moment.

[sam walker]

A very cool bird to shoot. Love the crazy crest. Not that impossible to capture. Hard to walk up on yes. Belteds are very perch loyal and will move from one to the other in a territory. Pick one, focus on it and wait for the rattaling bird to arrive. Better yet they are one of the few birds that can hover over water. Really fun to see one pick a spot over open water and start spinning its wings to stay in position over a school of fish. Makes a good opportunity for about 3-4 seconds.
Sam

[Paul A]

Hard to get close to those guys, good job Tupe.

[tupe]

Thanks Sam, Paul. If I ever see another one, I'll try stalking the perch.