In spite of good intentions I didn't get to the path along the river before the dog walkers. So no photos of shy creatures like deer or beaver.
Instead I found a mamma duck trying to wake up her brood of fuzzy babies.
Even baby ducks come to breakfast with their eyes barely open.
It's so hard to leave the warmth of a cozy bed.
I don't know what kind of day they had planned but it probably wasn't school.
Just the fish are in schools right now. (snort, chuckle)
So I walked on to the pond.
There in the distance I saw something on a pole that looked sort of like a bird. What kind of bird?
Holy crap! It's a kingfisher.
I've been trying to get a photo of a kingfisher for so long.
And now he's gone.
>:p
But wait! There's more! He landed on a power line with his punk hair all fluffed up.
I usually catch glimpses of kingfishers along a stream as they plunge from a shady perch, bill down, to capture a small fish they've spotted. Then they dart away giving their loud, rattling call.
I really felt lucky to spot this little guy at a time when I had my big camera along.
I really felt lucky to spot this little guy at a time when I had my big camera along.
I zoomed in and got a better shot. This was starting out to be a great day!
It was easy then to see his powder blue coat, black tie and big hair.
Very eighties.
Your kingfisher is quite different to ours - and yes, I too thought it looked like a kookaburra!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see your Kingfisher. Same kind of shape as ours but different colours. Let alone never photographing one-I have never even seen one!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post about my cousins--loved the kingfisher, too!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought mullets were out!
ReplyDeleteReally great pictures of a really cool bird!
What luck...and great shots.
ReplyDeleteThis brought back a great memory, Leenie. When my daughter was in Australia for a year, the thing that always struck me were the amazingly exotic bird calls in the background during our phone calls. One time it was the kooaburra. :) I love when we finally get a shot at one of the elusive varieties of birds. Lovely Kingfisher shots! :)
ReplyDeleteMama ducks and babies are a fascinating watch. I've not seen them get up in the morning, but putting them to bed at night is the reverse of the process you described. There always is a rogue kid or two darting away from the bank, seeing how far into the lake before he was busted and brought back.
ReplyDeleteLove these natural shots.
ReplyDeletePearl
Hi Leenie!
ReplyDeleteLove the birds -especially the baby ducks!
How wonderful to get photos of a bird that you had on your list. And for us to see a bird that we normally wouldn't. I've also got a soft spot in my heart for ducklings.
ReplyDeleteJen
I'm thinking it might feel rather nice to be a duck these days...living in the water! :) I'm glad you finally got some nice shots of your Kingfisher!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - I've never seen a Kingfisher before, and yes,look a lot like our kookaburra.
ReplyDeleteI love it when some Americans mispronounce it with kook rhyming with spook instead of cook, and borrow as is lend.
"Oh your kookoborrows are just darling!".