Stalking the Kingfisher, Part 2

 

Kingfisher on the quarry cliff

Perched high to survey the quarry pond for its prey, the Kingfisher puts itself in plain view. But those open sight lines also mean you can seldom get close to it without being spotted.

Showing the least interest in it even at a considerable distance almost always puts a Kingfisher to flight.

Cooper's Hawk watching and waiting

One day I wasn't the only one stalking the Kingfisher.

A fast-flying Cooper's Hawk burst from the treeline in pursuit of our mutual intended.

The Kingfisher's splash

Just as the hawk was closing in on it, the Kingfisher dove beneath the surface to escape its clutches.

The close call, in detail
The Kingfisher is already underwater

It was an amusing and tender irony to see the Kingfisher take refuge under the water surface where it as predator dives for little fish.

The Kingfisher's escape

The hawk flew on with the momentum of its dive. The Kingfisher surfaced and darted away.

The hawk, pivoting

For the moment my Devil Bird escaped the clutches of the raptor. Tender sympathies ricocheted among all the players in this natural drama, including myself.

The Kingfisher survived to carry on its elusive lifestyle with occasional visits to Halibut Point. I wish they were more frequent.