Thursday, January 12, 2012

Belted Kingfisher

- Belted Kingfisher _BIF8766 March 09, 2011 NIKON D3S
Male Belted Kingfisher
The Belted Kingfisher is a beautiful bird and is one of my nemesis.  The reason for it being an nemesis, is that it is hard to get close to photograph it. Even sneaking behind bushes being low to the ground, the Kingfisher seems to know that you are there, screech and fly off.  I have however been able to get some pictures over the last couple of years.
- ROT_1959 January 02, 2012 NIKON D3S
Female Beltedkingfisher on watch
Kingfishers are distributed across most of Canada, Alaska, United States, and they are found near bodies of water, where they can find their food, including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and even small mammals.  The male belted Kingfisher breast is not as brightly colored as the female.  The female has a rufous band across the upper belly.  You will find them sitting on a prominent branch on trees, post or other watch points close to the water, where they can plunge into the water headfirst after their fish prey.  They will also be seen hovering over bodies of water, just like some hawks also do looking for prey.


- - DSC_8963 December 06, 2010 NIKON D3S December 06, 2010 NIKON D3S
Hover
Belted Kingfisher
Taking Off after fish
- Kingfisher flight ROT_1962 January 02, 2012 NIKON D3S
Flight
- Kingfisher flight_BIF8773 March 09, 2011 NIKON D3S
Flight
- - DSC_9006 December 06, 2010 NIKON D3S December 06, 2010 NIKON D3S
On Watch


- Kingfisher looking over shoulderDSC_9000 December 06, 2010 NIKON D3S
Looking over its shoulder
So, when you are around ponds, lakes, streams and other bodies of water, keep your eye open for this most beautiful bird and watch It's interesting behavior

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