Preen
Sony A1, FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 404mm, S: 1/3200s, A: F7.1, ISO 1,250.
A moment in time - too quick for the human eye - captures the opaque nictating membrane of the malachite kingfisher as she cleans her wing feathers.
The warm winter sun of the late morning provided a break from the incessant clouds and rainfall. The kingfisher had come out, searching for her catch in the local vlei, or small lake. With tenacity and experience, it was not long before she had the opportunity and took a silvery minnow successfully. After the quick whack on the branch and flip of the little fish down her throat, she settled back and started to preen herself.
For all birds, feathers are both protection and a means to live, so taking good care of them remains essential. For this malachite kingfisher, though, it was also an opportunity to take in some of the warm sun and enjoy a well-deserved break. But not for long. A minute or two later, something caught her attention once again. She turned, checking out a subtle movement not too far away at the edge of the reeds. Her head bobbed up and down to assess the possible prey, and without a sound or warning, she suddenly flitted off, dive bombing a passing fish for yet another catch of the day.
Feathered Friends Collection
Welcome to our feathered friends, with their flights of fancy, twitchers' delight, and the lightest touch.
Ever-present in our lives, birds fill the skies, settle in tree branches, and thrive on the ground. Their movements fill us with delight and awe; their silence is broken by delightful songs or anxious craws. This collection celebrates these moments in time with our feathered friends.
