Camouflage and Kingfishers

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Mdf123

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There has been discussion on this Forum as to the best way to get closer to birds. I have a theory, for Belted Kingfishers at least. I kayak a few days a week and oftentimes locate Belted Kingfishers. In the past I occasionally got a decent picture of the Kingfishers but usually got distant shots of perched birds, blurry take off shots or crisp tail feather shots. I had noticed that the Kingfishers were less anxious when I was wearing bright colors. During the Summer the lake was too busy with other boat traffic to try out my theory as the other boaters were causing the Kingfishers to fly off upon approach. In late Fall I started dressing in orange (not hunter orange) headgear, jacket and pants on occasion when kayaking. I stopped using my white paddle when searching for Kingfishers and used my red paddle exclusively when looking for Kingfishers. I have attached a few photos I have taken in recent days that show a few different birds All shots were taken with a Nikon Z6ii and a 300PF lens with a 1.4 teleconverter while seated in a kayak. In the past it would have taken months, not days to get even a few semi in focus in-flight shots. (It has been very windy here recently which has negatively impacted ability to keep the kayak straight, thereby effecting the quality of the photo opportunities.) I do not know why, but while wearing orange I get closer to the birds, and if they do fly off they don't travel as far as they did previously. P.S. Wearing orange, not surprisingly. does not help when trying to get close to ducks, loons and other waterfowl

Michael

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Nice set of images and interesting observations. Will be interested to see how things progress.

We have an orange kayak and in the spring we get frequent visits from humming birds when we're paddling. Sometimes they will come check us out when we're half a mile from shore.
 
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I have absolutely no idea if what I'm about to type is accurate or not but is it possible Kingfishers don't see orange? I do know some creatures see things a lot differently than we do. Some see well into the UV spectrum and colors we cannot.

It is possible you've found a color combination they don't see as threatening.????
 
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Mdf123 said:
There has been discussion on this Forum as to the best way to get closer to birds. I have a theory, for Belted Kingfishers at least. I kayak a few days a week and oftentimes locate Belted Kingfishers. In the past I occasionally got a decent picture of the Kingfishers but usually got distant shots of perched birds, blurry take off shots or crisp tail feather shots. I had noticed that the Kingfishers were less anxious when I was wearing bright colors. During the Summer the lake was too busy with other boat traffic to try out my theory as the other boaters were causing the Kingfishers to fly off upon approach. In late Fall I started dressing in orange (not hunter orange) headgear, jacket and pants on occasion when kayaking. I stopped using my white paddle when searching for Kingfishers and used my red paddle exclusively when looking for Kingfishers. I have attached a few photos I have taken in recent days that show a few different birds All shots were taken with a Nikon Z6ii and a 300PF lens with a 1.4 teleconverter while seated in a kayak. In the past it would have taken months, not days to get even a few semi in focus in-flight shots. (It has been very windy here recently which has negatively impacted ability to keep the kayak straight, thereby effecting the quality of the photo opportunities.) I do not know why, but while wearing orange I get closer to the birds, and if they do fly off they don't travel as far as they did previously. P.S. Wearing orange, not surprisingly. does not help when trying to get close to ducks, loons and other waterfowl

Michael

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Michael, they are fantastic shots!!! I’m am really envious but also motivated 👍👍👍 Very interesting observation. Who said the Z6ii can‘t capture BIF. 😉Well done.
 
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First, excellent photos of a bird that doesn't like it's photo taken.
And second, it really bugged me because I couldn't understand how orange would allow you to get closer. So I did Google research and found something that might explain it:
“Kingfishers have specialized eyes and excellent eyesight. The retina of each eye has two fovea. The cone cells have a high proportion of red droplets, which may act as chromatic filters, allowing sight through the surface of the water.” (Fowler and Miller 2003: 254)
I don't remember how eyeballs work, but maybe the red droplets cancel out the near-red (orange) of your "camo clothes" and reds/oranges aren't seen. That's just a guess so I'm going to contact an ornithology professor and see if he has an explanation.
 
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Karl said:
First, excellent photos of a bird that doesn't like it's photo taken.
And second, it really bugged me because I couldn't understand how orange would allow you to get closer. So I did Google research and found something that might explain it:
“Kingfishers have specialized eyes and excellent eyesight. The retina of each eye has two fovea. The cone cells have a high proportion of red droplets, which may act as chromatic filters, allowing sight through the surface of the water.” (Fowler and Miller 2003: 254)
I don't remember how eyeballs work, but maybe the red droplets cancel out the near-red (orange) of your "camo clothes" and reds/oranges aren't seen. That's just a guess so I'm going to contact an ornithology professor and see if he has an explanation.
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Here's part of what I got back from my ornithology professor:
As far as what the kingfisher sees with regards to orange clothing, if the red droplets disperse the red colors before triggering a nerve impulse, it would see a monochrome shade of gray, the brightness determined by the intensity of the orange. The clothing would not be invisible.
He said that he can't be sure about this without reading the original article. So maybe orange is the new camo!
 
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great images and thanks for the info.

Do you have special wide kayak or are you talented using one. I have tried kayaking a few times and once a flipped just after launching.
 
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RichF said:
great images and thanks for the info.

Do you have special wide kayak or are you talented using one. I have tried kayaking a few times and once a flipped just after launching.
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I have a small whitewater kayak that I use mostly in the summer. In the winter I mostly use the Old Town Trip which is a fishing kayak and easier to get in and out of while wearing boots to keep my feet warm.
 
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NorthernFocus said:
Nice set of images and interesting observations. Will be interested to see how things progress.

We have an orange kayak and in the spring we get frequent visits from humming birds when we're paddling. Sometimes they will come check us out when we're half a mile from shore.
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When we were younger, my wife had a red bikini top that always seemed to interest the hummingbirds. Maybe I can get her to see if it still works! ;)
 
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Great images and very interesting on the orange. I have avoided flourescent hunter orange unless I need it for self protection in some places during big game rifle season. I typically wear full camo when I am going to be in areas not frequented by lots of people in "civilian clothes". When I am in urban areas where the birds including kingfishers are used to seeing people strolling along the river etc. in normal clothes then that is what I wear in fact if I wear camo in those locations the birds are more skittish than they are if I am just strolling in my ciivies :)
 
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RichF said:
great images and thanks for the info.

Do you have special wide kayak or are you talented using one. I have tried kayaking a few times and once a flipped just after launching.
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Rich, i also tried the standard kayak with the little oval opening. No way I would bring any camera in one of those…hahaha. And while there are several manufacturers of fishing kayaks, I chose the Native Watercraft (sit-on-top type). My first was the 14’ Slayer. Very stable and comfortable (you can even stand up in it - carefully). Then I purchased the 13’ Slayer Propel. It has a lower unit similar to a trolling motor that you actually pedal for propulsion and can either go backwards or forwards depending on which way you pedal. Basically leaves you hands free. Again, very stable and I have few concerns about bringing my gear. Of course, I do keep everything in a dry bag attached to the boat just in case.
 
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RichF said:
great images and thanks for the info.

Do you have special wide kayak or are you talented using one. I have tried kayaking a few times and once a flipped just after launching.
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I had a similar issue with smaller lighter kayaks, In my 20's & 30's I did a fair amount of expedition kayaking (fully geared to camp move and cross rough waters) in a skirted sea kayak. Once I reached my 60's my core muscle group isn't as good and my flexibility is dismal. I now use a Jackson Fishing Kayak (Big Rig) it is the one I found to be amazingly stable. It is a sit on top model and it has a very nice seat set-up. This is a big kayak works well with a small trailer you would not likely be lifting it onto a roof- mounted kayak carrier. Price point they are somewhat expensive but I have found mine to be a very good investment. I use it with my D5 300PF and 1.4TC as well as the 200-500mm. Finally you may find that a good outdoor outfitter would have a venue in the spring when you can test different boats which would be a great way to know before you buy. Hope this helps I just know that after years of kayaking this Jackson Big Rig is the most stable kayak I have ever been in.
 
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Critters react to movement. It is why I like the Hobie pedal type kayaks as there is not paddle moving around in the air to spook animals. Best option is to invest in one of the electric drive motors for kayaks. They can work with small 12V 8AH batteries like the ones used in wheelchairs. Some people have mounted a 2x4 or 1" pipe across the kayak and then attached a regular shallow draft trolling motor and these sell for less than $150.
 
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Calson said:
Critters react to movement. It is why I like the Hobie pedal type kayaks as there is not paddle moving around in the air to spook animals. Best option is to invest in one of the electric drive motors for kayaks. They can work with small 12V 8AH batteries like the ones used in wheelchairs. Some people have mounted a 2x4 or 1" pipe across the kayak and then attached a regular shallow draft trolling motor and these sell for less than $150.
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I fished out of a Hobie Mirage for several years a heavy beast but amazingly stable, efficient and fast ... had a special hydraulic assist rack to get it up on top of my Land Rover.
 
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