fredtoo Loc: Houston

Bubalola's great Kingfisher photo posted a couple days ago reminded me of how fond of Kingfishers I am, that there are a few other known "addicts" on the site, and that I have a Kingfisher shot that I yet to post.

So for you sparse number of Kingfisher fans, I present Megaceryle Maxima (AKA "Giant Kingfisher"). Which is a relative term, since all Kingfishers are pretty small (with the exception of the Australian Kookaburra which is a sizeable bird). This fella on the other hand is about hand-sized.

Some photos are quickly snapped and turn out to be unexpectedly great shots. This is the opposite of that. We were on our end-of-year visit to the Okavango Delta, Botswana finishing up a river trip on a pontoon boat, and it was our final day. A flutter was noticed in a nearby very large squat brushy tree, so the boatman slowly motored over.

This guy was deep inside the tree, and before long so were we. The thing about being a boat passenger and photographer is that you have only very minimal control over positioning. Its not like walking around the base of the tree to get the exact view you need.

On top of that the boat never stops moving, especially if there are five other people on board. Then there was the issue of very little light filtering into filtering into this very brushy tree. Not to mention the brush itself getting totally in the way of a clear shot. I will give the bird full credit for being patient, however. I probably fired off at least 20 shots before he gave up and left me wondering if I had anything useable and reasonably in focus.

Turns out I had this. Nowhere near perfect, but I'll take it.
Dedicated to Kingfisher fans everywhere (I know of at least two).

(Download)

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Considering the circumstances, you did good getting a decent photo.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Well, you have just reached one of them! And I think it's great! Circumstances or not! Perfection doesn't always mean a Hallmark Greeting Card, Fred! I get jealous every time you post one of your Africa photos!!!
By the way, I posted a couple of Kookaburra shots from my Australia trip, some time ago!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I love Kingfishers but I sure haven't had much luck getting good images of them.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Bubalola Loc: Big Apple, NY

fredtoo Loc: Houston

ha...sometimes "decent" is acceptable.
thanks for looking in.

fredtoo Loc: Houston

'ppreciate the thumb!

fredtoo Loc: Houston

Well, I'm going to look up that posting. I can't honestly say whether I have seen a Kookaburra, maybe at the zoo across from Sydney...but zoos don't really count for sightings. Do you remember the name of the post by any chance?

thanks for checking in, Keith.

fredtoo Loc: Houston

they are "flitters". They light in a spot, and then flit away before you can get the camera to your eye. I think this guy just felt nice and safe in his bushy tree, so he stayed put.

thanks for looking in.

fredtoo Loc: Houston

thanks for the thumbs!

fredtoo Loc: Houston

thanks Buba

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Hi Fred! I'll have to give it some thought, it's been awhile.

Yeah, I posted a photo of one on the ground. The Aussies that responded said they had never seen one on the ground! I wasn't smart enough to know that I had something unusual!

I posted another in a tree, a really cool photo that got a lot of responses. I think I posted two photos in that one!

fredtoo Loc: Houston

hey Keith, talk's cheap. Show me the goods!