Where do birds spend their nights? I was surprised one recent early morning to see a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) perched on a fallen tree not very far above water level. Why was the kingfisher there?
I am pretty sure the kingfisher wasn’t hunting—there wasn’t enough elevation for a dive. I wonder if it had spent the night there. Maybe the kingfisher has a fear of heights, which would be a terrible occupational hazard. Perhaps the kingfisher simply wanted to check out the scenery from a different perspective.
Whatever the reason for the unusual perch, it was nice to get a clear look at a Belted Kingfisher, even if it was from a long way off.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great shot of a difficult bird.
Thanks, Victor.
What Victor said. I very much enjoy watching these birds fly and dive while kayaking down a local river where I live. Spectacular birds.
Thanks, Dan. I love watching these birds, though I find them to be really tough to capture with my camera. I’ve often thought it would be cool to take photos from a kayak and have heard that certain birds will let you drift close to them.
It would be fun to capture them swooping in via GoPro, but the would probably be too far out to show up well. I have gotten pretty close to eagle in a kayak.
Or maybe it was posing for you so you’d get a great photo!
I only wish he had posed for a little while longer as I tried to get closer. 🙂
I love Kingfishers! This one looks like he’s sitting on an Alligator! LOL!
What an imagination, Sally. Of course, now that you mention it, I can definitely see the alligator.
It’s great when they hold still for more than a few seconds. Happy Thanksgiving Mike!