As I set out in the morning, I had high hopes, thinking this might be one of the best photographic subjects for the season – even though it was going to be hard to photograph.
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I was returning to where there were nesting Kingfishers in a termite mound about four metres above ground. I had had my eye on them for some time and was waiting for the right moment.
When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was that the termite mound where they were nesting was badly damaged, with part of the mound gone.
I feared the worst, thinking a predator had got them and that the chicks would be gone, but it turned out that they were still safe and sound.
After a few minutes the birds arrived and I knew all was well.
Photographically it wasn’t an easy subject as we had a very active background.
To stop the action, I had to use high ISO which resulted in grainy images - not good, obviously – but nonetheless I managed to get some decent shots which tell the story of the Kingfishers feeding their chicks.
There were a great numbers of Cicadas hatching at this time and they were playing a major part in feeding all the birds in the area. The kingfishers were obviously happy, getting all kind of insects as well as skinks.
Then the surprise of the day, a very large goanna arrived and it was immediately bombarded by the kingfishers. No surprise there.
All the attention caused it to soon leave the area, but it was back again an hour or so later. Again the adult birds attacked, and eventually it moved on.
This had to be the villain that damaged the termite mound in the first place. I expect it will continue to return and will have the chicks in the near future. Unfortunately this is a common thing in nature.
A number of other birds are now nesting, rather late, but they should have chicks soon.
Sacred Kingfishers are probably the most common of our kingfishers, and are found throughout Australia with the exception of central Australia. They usually have two broods a season.
Both birds develop the nest, and both birds defend the nest – as was very much the case with this pair and their persistent goanna. They feed on all types of insects and small reptiles.