I photographed this fluffy Eastern Kingbird this past April while at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I read that birds fluff up in the cold to trap as much air in their feathers as possible. The more trapped air, the warmer the bird.

How I Got The Photo – Fluffy Eastern Kingbird

I was driving near the Tuff Boat Ramp when I saw this bird land on a small tree between the auto tour road and the river. I parked on the road with my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

Technical:

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date Taken: April 30, 2020
• Aperture: f8.0
• Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec.
• ISO: 800
• Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Focal Length: 700 mm
• Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM with a Canon 1.4x III Extender
• Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Here is a photo I took of an Eastern Kingbird regurgitating a pellet: Eastern Kingbird Regurgitating Pellet

I photographed this Eastern Kingbird just as it was regurgitating a pellet. You can see in my first photo that the bird is looking down as it regurgitates. The second photo it looks straight at the camera. You can then see the pellet in its throat. Over the years I have photographed lots of birds regurgitating pellets but this is the first having the bird look toward the camera.

Note: A pellet is the undigested parts of a bird’s food.

How I Got The Shot – Eastern Kingbird Regurgitating Pellet

I had my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Oklahoma
• Date Taken: May 19, 2020
• Aperture: f8.0
• Shutter speed: 1/2000 sec.
• ISO: 640
• Exposure Bias: +1/3 EV
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Focal Length: 500 mm
• Lens: Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM
• Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II