This Belted Kingfisher was perched on a wire that ran across the river. Fortunately I had my tripod with me because I would never have been able to get a shot of it without it.
I saw it dive into the river once but it happened so fast there was no chance of getting a photo of it.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
Nice capture . . . Always nice when they sit still for a few moments whole you set up the shot.
Thanks. This bird stayed for quite a while. It left for a short period twice but then came back to the same spot. I think it had good view of the fish in the river from that wire.
I noticed they tend to reuse the same perch.
I’ve tried using monopods but they’re not as easy to use as I would have imagined. I think it’s ok for spotting but I found them worse than hand-held as far as usability and not as good tripods for steadying a camera.
As suppose if one practices with it, they might become adept at using them. I’m not there yet.
WOW!
Thank you Amy.
I do not ever carry my tripod. It is just too heavy so I give you SO much credit for doing so. I’ve trained my arms and hands to be rock solid. Not easy by far with some shots.
I don’t carry my tripod if it’s a long distance. This was just a short walk for this shoot. Normally I don’t use a tripod because the wildlife is too fast for a tripod.
I see a lot of birders with unipods. I’m thinking about doing that. You should see these guys with these huge lenses slung over their shoulders on a unipod. I think I could actually do that. Although I am so used to whipping out my camera from my vest carrier and then from there, if the action is fast, carry my camera in my hands ready for the next shot. I so agree with you wildlife doesn’t sit still. You just have to have fast eyes and fast reflexes.
He’s certainly sporting a very modern haircut!
Bird shots are such a fun challenge. You were lucky on this one.