I can’t share the awful ‘spot the blur’ shots I took today, so here are some beautiful Azure Kingfisher shots that I prepared earlier.
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm f/4.0 L IS USM
The Azure Kingfisher I saw today was across a lake, hidden in deep shadow beneath some overhanging ferns. I was staggered and impressed when a fellow birder pointed it out. The shots I took are indistinct blurs whereas the shots I was lucky enough to take a while ago show the true beauty of this exquisite species.
This tiny kingfisher is perched on a small garden stake. Azure Kingfishers are about 18cm bill to tail, and they weigh about 35g. Their colours are beautiful violet-blues with rich rufous underparts. Adult birds can have a small white tip to their bill, while juveniles can have a larger white tip which makes me think the bird above is likely to be a young bird.
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 2000
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm f/4.0 L IS USM
Azure Kingfishers feed by patiently perching above water before plunging headfirst to catch their prey. Their splashes are surprisingly dramatic.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm f/4.0 L IS USM
Even having the camera set at 1/1600 of a second was not fast enough to freeze the action of this kingfisher as it shook itself after a dive. I like the ‘movement’ of its wings and the spray of drops around it.
It’s that time of year again when the Victorian government is making a decision about this year’s duck shooting season. Every year there are fewer ducks and increased opposition to this archaic and unnecessary ‘sport’. If you’d be so kind please send an email to these ministers imploring them to ban duck shooting in favour of nature-based tourism: daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au, mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au, lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au and your local member of parliament.
More information on the realities of duck shooting can be found in my articles relating to the Season of Shame in the right hand sidebar, or by using the search button above.
Stay safe, happy birding, Kim
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Politicians emailed. A barbaric sport and distressing hearing the guns going off for us nature lovers. Love your photos
Thank you so much Carolyn. It’s sad that we have to keep the pressure up for something that is so obviously wrong, Kim
Exquisite shots Kim. Angus remarked that your photos instantly recall seeing the Azure Kingfisher on a former bush property of ours and watching the birds plunge so fast into the river. Lovely memories.
Thankyou and will once more write to the Victorian Ministers.
🙏🏻
How wonderful to have had them on your bush property, I’d have got absolutely no work done whatsoever! And how wonderful of you to write to the ministers again, thank you so much, Kim
This is unbelievably gorgeous!!! I think I’ve got a new favourite!
Thanks heaps Tess. They are unbelievably gorgeous, I agree!
Very pretty photos of a very pretty bird
Thank you Tamsin!