15 Nov 2011

Black-capped Kingfisher at Mai Po, Hong Kong

Well, the cold front came and it chucked it down for a couple of days.

The less-than-ideal viewing conditions for waders didn't seem to matter when this Black-capped Kingfisher was patrolling the mudflats in front of the boardwalk hide.






Halcyon pileata - Black-capped Kingfisher

My much-thumbed 1954 edition of "Hong Kong Birds" by Geoffrey Herklots has a painting of this on the cover, a fine rendition by Commander A. M. Hughes.

Hong Kong's four commoner kingfishers - including this one - were a key factor in luring me into the world of birding.



6 comments:

  1. Wonderful bird and truly awesome pics. Especially the flight shots.

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  2. Wow I've never been able to capture kingfisher in flight before! Love the raindrops on its head.

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  3. Thanks everyone !

    I couldn't go wrong with a model as handsome as this one.... early winter seems to be the time when the most individuals of Black-capped Kingfisher are around.

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  4. Fantastic images, John... congratulations!!

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  5. .....and Thanks, Terry ! More soon, we've been on a trip....

    John

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