Belted Kingfisher on a Foggy Morning

Photographing a Belted Kingfisher in Foggy, Wet Weather

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Today, as the rain falls outside, I’ve been going through some of my old photos. I came across this image of a Belted Kingfisher taken on November 24, 2011, at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I was walking the Horton Slough trail when I spotted this Belted Kingfisher perched on a guard rail. The day was cold, wet, and foggy—challenging conditions for any wildlife photographer, but they can lead to unique and impactful images. I thought it would be a good one to share, especially given the similar weather today.

Belted Kingfisher on a Foggy Morning
Perched on a guard rail in the cold, misty morning at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, this Belted Kingfisher stands out against a fog-softened backdrop. Captured on a wet November day, the conditions bring out the bird’s distinct silhouette, highlighting its rugged beauty in challenging weather.

Conditions and Camera Settings

  • Date: 11/24/11
  • Time: 9:12:26 AM
  • Camera: Canon EOS 7D
  • Lens: Canon 500 f/4
  • Focal Length: 500 mm
  • ISO: 640
  • Aperture: f/4.5
  • Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec
  • Exposure Compensation: +0.3

This setup helped me capture the details of the kingfisher against a subdued, misty background that highlights the bird’s outline.

Tips for Photographing Wildlife in Wet, Cold, and Foggy Conditions

1. Protect Your Gear

  • Use a rain cover: Rain and moisture can damage equipment. A waterproof cover keeps your camera and lens dry.
  • Carry extra lens cloths: Moisture builds up quickly. Have microfiber cloths to wipe off any condensation.
  • Consider a lens hood: This helps reduce water droplets on your lens and cuts down on glare from wet surfaces.

2. Manage Low Light

  • Increase ISO cautiously: Fog and clouds reduce light, requiring higher ISO settings. Balancing noise with light sensitivity is key—640 worked well in this instance.
  • Wider aperture: A setting like f/4.5 lets in more light, allowing a faster shutter speed to freeze movement, especially for restless birds like kingfishers.
  • Adjust exposure compensation: Fog can trick your camera’s metering system. Use positive exposure compensation (+0.3 here) to prevent underexposure.

3. Focus on Silhouettes and Outlines

  • Fog and mist can create a natural, soft background that makes subjects stand out. Position yourself to capture the subject’s silhouette against this softer backdrop.
  • Use a narrow depth of field to keep the subject in sharp focus while letting the fog naturally blur the background.

4. Stabilize for Sharpness

  • Tripod or monopod: Essential when working with heavy lenses in low-light situations to prevent motion blur.
  • Image stabilization: If available, engage it to counteract any slight camera shake, especially for shots at 500 mm.

5. Embrace the Mood of the Weather

  • Fog and wet conditions create a muted, peaceful mood. Don’t overcorrect the contrast or colors in post-processing, as the natural atmosphere contributes to the image’s character.
  • Adjust the white balance to emphasize cooler tones, enhancing the cold feel of the shot.

6. Be Patient and Observant

  • Wildlife behaves differently in these conditions. Birds like the Belted Kingfisher may perch more often, allowing for steady shots.
  • Movement is subtle. Watch for any shifts in behavior, as the bird might stay still longer in colder weather, giving you time to adjust and capture details.

Final Thoughts

Photographing wildlife in foggy, wet weather is challenging but rewarding. This Belted Kingfisher image demonstrates how a foggy background can help a subject stand out while adding mood to the shot. Today’s rain reminded me of the unique conditions that day, and I wanted to share this image as an example of how to work with less-than-ideal weather. Experiment with these settings and techniques the next time you encounter similar conditions. You’ll gain unique images that differ greatly from those taken on clear days.