Birds, Birdwatching, and Photography
The Photogenic Eastern Kingbird
Eastern kingbirds sit calmly on their perch as I watch and photograph them from nearby
“Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?” — David Attenborough
I sneak up on birds to view and photograph them. Sometimes, I zigzag toward them to reduce the threat of intimidation. Still, many birds flee before I raise the camera and lens.
But eastern kingbirds are different. They remain calm on their perches as I observe and photograph them from nearby.
The eastern kingbird is a type of tyrant flycatcher. Tyrant flycatchers are the most prominent family of birds with over 400 species.
Kingbirds breed in the United States and Canada and winter in Central American and northern South America. They aggressively defend their territory and nests, sometimes from larger birds.
I spotted my first eastern kingbird of the year at Custer State Park in South Dakota. I passed by a bison herd before I saw the beautiful dark grey and white bird atop a tree.
This week, I discovered a pair of eastern kingbirds while hiking at Chester Woods Park near home. They peered out over the calm waters of Chester Woods Lake. The next day, I paddled a canoe across the lake. Two ospreys, with widespread wings, flew over the lake ahead of me.
I found and watched a pair of eastern kingbirds about 200 yards south of where I had seen a couple on the previous day. It may have been the same pair. I hadn’t taken my camera in the canoe but took in their beauty as I floated in the canoe offshore.
The birds tilted their heads as I watched them. They paid attention to me and made me feel like they enjoyed my company as much as I enjoyed theirs.
Kingbirds launch from their perch to snatch insects in midair. They may hover while consuming insects or fruits from branches.
“Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing and privilege it is just to be alive.” — Marty Rubin
The eastern kingbird is widespread and not uncommon, but every sight of them impresses my senses. I hope to return to Chester Woods Park again soon to search for these photogenic birds. Their beauty and pleasant nature remind me that it is a blessing and privilege to be alive.