Copyright © 2018 by Ali Bernie Buga-ay, all rights reserved. Blue-banded Kingfisher: this photograph may not be used without permission.
The Blue-banded Kingfisher or Alcedo euryzona, is a Critically Endangered species of Kingfishers found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest and rivers; at Kaeng Krachan National Park, a long a stream.
I have seen this Kingfisher a couple of years back but never had the chance to take a shot as I was driving along the stream with my driver’s window rolled down open. As I was about to reach for my camera, it just took off, at least I had the chance to see it then. To find it, one must go to the south of Thailand and wait for the right timing during the nesting season. It is an expensive travel and time consuming, so having the Blue-Banded Kingfisher for the first time in ten years, is a special twitching to not miss.
It has been twenty-one days since we last took photographs of the nesting and feeding Critically Endangered Blue-banded Kingfishers at Kaeng Krachan National Park. Sevendays of Creation adapted the rule of not posting birds and animals birthing or nesting with Endangered, Critically Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Extinction, until they have safely fledged or delivered of in the wild. We have taken seriously responsible wildlife photography ethics and practices.
I have seen this Kingfisher a couple of years back but never had the chance to take a shot as I was driving along the stream with my driver’s window rolled down open. As I was about to reach for my camera, it just took off, at least I had the chance to see it then. To find it, one must go to the south of Thailand and wait for the right timing during the nesting season. It is an expensive travel and time consuming, so having the Blue-Banded Kingfisher for the first time in ten years, is a special twitching to not miss.
We were at the site as early as 5:00 am when the danger of meeting wild animals has been shrugged off by every wildlife photographer in Thailand. The last known nesting of the Blue-banded Kingfisher was ten years ago and this must be something great. Seriously, I have seen the Kingfisher two years ago in between streams 2 and 3 and that was it, no record shot as a lot of people told telltale stories about it. Now it is a dream come true in which we all have been waiting for. Two female fledglings went out yesterday and they are all safe. Some of the best wildlife photographers in Thailand waited for the precious moment to come for six days camping at Bang Krang, they have been in their hides very early in the morning for straight six days and it has paid. Good luck little ones, may your safe passage to the forest will bring more of you in the future.
Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand
June 1, 2018
Nikon D500 + Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Fotopro TS-85C | Fotopro WH-30 | Carry Speed FS-Pro | Nitecore UNK1
