Female or Juvenile Belted Kingfisher - First!

This is one from my wish list. Earlier this morning I visited the State Park boat launch with the hopes of making a photograph or two of a Green Heron. More on that later, but these are special to me as I've so wanted to photograph a Kingfisher. This juvenile or female Belted Kingfisher gave me that opportunity. The first is from quite a distance away and therefore is a huge crop. The second, made with the short chance granted to me to be a bit closer, is not as bad.

Let me be the first to congratulate you, Lillian; I know how tough it is to get close to one. The second shot particularly is quite nice.
Al

WTG Lil! I have yet to get one to stay still!

Awesome shots just finally got one myself the other day.

WOW great shot. The 2nd one is my favorite!

great capture - I have been hunting them this past month in Montana - that is a Female- the male does not have the bronze belt

That second shot is Great!! It reminds me of a Kookaburra. I can almost hear it rattling.

CDMOOSE wrote in post #14913235
Let me be the first to congratulate you, Lillian; I know how tough it is to get close to one. The second shot particularly is quite nice.
Al

Al, thank you so very much. I was thrilled to be able to get as close as I did for the second shot.

Flo wrote in post #14913242
WTG Lil! I have yet to get one to stay still!

Gail, I wish many on you!!! Thank you kindly.

Modigity wrote in post #14913328
Awesome shots just finally got one myself the other day.

Excellent Morgan! Good for you. Thank you very much.

butterfly2937 wrote in post #14914858
WOW great shot. The 2nd one is my favorite!

Thank you kindly Carol. It is my favorite as well.

Marcy wrote in post #14915010
great capture - I have been hunting them this past month in Montana - that is a Female- the male does not have the bronze belt

Marcy, thanks for looking in, for your kind words and for your thoughts on the sex. I was hesitant to make the call because of both the incompleteness of the second band and the abundance of brown in the first. Both are characteristics of juveniles.

kpflynn wrote in post #14915056
That second shot is Great!! It reminds me of a Kookaburra. I can almost hear it rattling.

Thanks you kindly. I just looked up Kookaburra and see exactly what you mean.

second shot is fantastic!

2nd shot is awesome. Belted King Fishers have been a big adversary for me so far. They don't like to let me get close at all.

Drum roll please.... Tada! Congrats Lil, its one thing to get a picture of a bird that has been on a wishlist, but to get it with such image quality is more than satisfying. Superb job!

both of your shots are better than I have managed after 4 or so attempts.

your 2nd shot is pretty darn good.
Congrats.

I too know how difficult it is to close in on these guys. Good job on #2.

wow! second shot is awesome!

grats on the Belted Kingfisher!
been trying to get one but sadly, my local pond has been drained for dredging...

Very nice shots! Well done! These are still a bucket list bird for me. Some day...