Kingfisher in flight
Thursday 21 March 2019, 11:11 by Harry Kiewiet | 6,517 views | 7 commentsThis article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.
A blue flash and a whistling call, that is how the kingfisher announces itself. The kingfisher is a highly agile flyer. With its short wings, it can reach speeds of more than 50 kilometres per hour.
The photos were taken depending on the light, usually with settings of 1/4000s, f/4, ISO 1600 at 600mm.
The kingfisher has a fast, straight flight, usually just above the surface of the water. But it also sometimes manoeuvres at high speed between closely spaced trees, and then you watch in amazement as it always manages to pull it off.
Kingfisher in flight with fish
When kingfishers have young, it is a busy period for the pair. Both the male and the female provide the young birds with fish.
The young birds get 8 to 10 fish a day. This means that the pair catches between 50 and 60 fish every day for the young kingfishers.
At first, the young kingfishers get small fish of around three centimetres. After more than a week, the fish are already considerably larger, around 5 to 6 centimetres.
After 23 to 25 days, the young birds leave the nest tunnel and are fed by the pair for several more weeks.
After that, they have to fend for themselves and are chased out of the territory. Threats to kingfishers include polecats, weasels, mink and human activities along the banks, such as mowing, recreation and vandalism.
About the author
Harry is een selfmade vogelfotograaf. Hij is coördinator van de ijsvogelwerkgroep en vrijwilliger in de weidevogelwerkgroep van natuur- en milieuvereniging 'Het Stroomdal' in Drenthe. Hij wil graag in zijn artikelen met tips & tricks laten zien hoe zijn foto's tot stand zijn gekomen.
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7 comments
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Ab welbergen wrote on Sunday 24 March 2019 at 12:25 | replyWhat beautiful shots. Wonderful!
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iet van 't Zelfde wrote on Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 10:59 | replyThese are gorgeous photos, my compliments.
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willyduvel wrote on Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 13:00 | replyBeautiful images !
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Lidy wrote on Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 13:02 | replyAwesome, though difficult to photograph because of its speed huh.
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arie wrote on Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 13:17 | replyBeautiful!
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Gerard wrote on Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 14:53 | replyThis is truly top-notch. I try it too but I can't get them properly in my sights.
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Jan wrote on Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 16:06 | replyBrilliant!! very beautiful, takes some time but then you've got something!
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