Friday, November 7, 2008

Sacred Kingfisher

Denis over at The Nature of Robertson has a very interesting post on a Sacred Kingfisher which was unlucky enough to fly straight into his car. He makes an interesting observation that "The angle of the sun, relative to the bird and the observer, can seriously change the perceived colour of the bird."
I am posting three photos of different Sacred Kingfishers which show this color difference. I have found this wide variation in color confusing to say the least. I have been advised to look for the buff spot before the eye - and then look at the other color features. I welcome further comments on this feature.
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10 comments:

  1. DuncanNovember 7, 2008 at 5:27 PM

    We saw a nearly black one last season Mick, only because its nest was in a burnt tree!

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  2. mickNovember 7, 2008 at 5:36 PM

    Make-up, however acquired, doesn't count, Duncan!

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  3. Tyto TonyNovember 7, 2008 at 6:43 PM

    Kingfishers are good example of light angles and colour changes, Mick.
    Even the drab Sacreds take on spectacular greens and blues seen soon after sunrise, if the sun' rays, the birds and our eyes are on the same line. Softer, diffused evening light doesn't work so well. Noon is terrible unless we get above the birds.

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  4. mickNovember 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM

    Thanks Tony. That is an interesting explanation. I just wish it were possible to photograph the same bird in the same place at different times of the day!

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  5. Denis WilsonNovember 7, 2008 at 11:34 PM

    Hi Mick
    Thanks for the follow-up posting.
    As an interesting example, Wikipedia has an article on Sacred Kingfisher - not normally my favourite bird reference, but often worth a look - as in this case.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Kingfisher
    There are two images (one is a small video) - but one looks decidedly greenish, and the other is a definite blue.
    Now we can add your three images. Thanks.
    Denis

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  6. mickNovember 8, 2008 at 3:26 AM

    Thanks for all the info, Denis. The photos on the wikipedia page were interesting. Now I want to find another kingfisher to photograph!

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  7. MosuraNovember 8, 2008 at 8:51 AM

    Wonderful photos. Can't comment on colours as it's been decades since I've seen one.

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  8. mickNovember 8, 2008 at 5:31 PM

    Thanks Mosura, I've been collecting photos of those kingfishers for some time now trying to understand the colors better.

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  9. AnonymousNovember 11, 2008 at 11:40 AM

    I really enjoy watching kingfishers too. They are fun to watch hovering in one place when they are searching out their prey. I got a belted kingfisher photo from Washington State that I will post tomorrow for comparison. But I think I like the spectacular greens that the Sacred displays.

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  10. mickNovember 11, 2008 at 12:48 PM

    thanks for your comment Bernie, I shall check back for your photo of the belted kingfisher

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