Douglas County, Oregon
Sometimes long, long stretches of patience pays off and we get an unusual photograph ... and sometimes luck just jumps in and things happen so fast I have to pinch myself to be sure I wasn’t just dreaming.
Dale and I were slowly driving along when I spotted a kingfisher sitting in a tree next to the road. Kingfishers always seem to perch just a tad too far away or flush as soon as we get near. Rule #1 when photographing wildlife is to ‘give it a try.’ Dale slowed down and I eased my camera up on the bird.
I had just time enough to fire off a couple of shots and check my exposure when suddenly the kingfisher’s mouth opened.
Suddenly I realized I was watcing the kingfisher cough up a pellet ... just like owls do!
I’ve since learned a quite a few birds, that swallow whole prey items, cough up pellets. In addition to owls, hawks do, and crows, herons, and kingfishers. Probably several more species of birds do too.
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| That feels much better! |
wow - what a moment to experience- and to photograph - then to share with us all
ReplyDeleteFor goodness sake. I didn't know this. I sure haven't seen this. What great photos. I kept feeling like I need to clear my throat after reading this.
ReplyDeleteHi, Elva,
ReplyDeleteNice shots! Thank u for sharing the wonderful photos and the interesting post!
Cheers, Sadami
Wow, great photos, and a complete surprise to find the cough up pellets!
ReplyDeleteI bet there are few who have ever captured that moment in a kingfisher's life! That photo ought to win an award!
ReplyDeleteWow.. those are AMAZING shots. What perfect timing on 'trying' to get one photo. :)
ReplyDeleteHe did look like he felt better when it was out.
Not sure what the pellet consists of but looks nasty. :)
Oh wow!!!! Never seen that before even in pics!
ReplyDeleterajesh
Oh my gosh! Who knew!?
ReplyDelete