Windblown kooka

How absolutely adorable is this very windblown Laughing Kookaburra!

People often wonder how I handhold such a long lens and I don’t think it’s ever been trickier than it was photographing this kookaburra in such high winds. It was mainly its head feathers that were being buffeted but the kooka kept turning, and going to ground for a juicy worm or two, before returning to the branch. And the sun kept going in and out which meant that I was holding the camera up for ages, and ages, as I waited to see what magic the kooka and the wind might make together.

My arms started aching, not only was I holding the lens up but I was trying to keep it steady when the wind had very different ideas. Then it happened, the kooka turned towards me, the light was perfect, and the feathers were showcased in a way I’ve not seen before.

Kookaburras are large members of the kingfisher family. They eat a range of prey, which was mainly worms for this kooka as I was watching this mealtime. I’ve also seen them take frogs, skinks and an Eastern Yellow Robin. Seeing that poor robin being swallowed whole is an indelible memory.

On a happier note, the laughter of the Laughing Kookaburra is one of my favourite sounds and it never fails to make me smile.

Happy birding, Kim

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