Adesh Shivkar wrote:
> Species:
> Common Name : Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Also called Three-toed Kingfisher
> or Black-backed Kingfisher)

> Scientific name: *Ceyx erithaca erithaca*

> Status in the Region: Rare monsoon breeding migrant (from June-Oct).....
> Partial to flowing streams in deep forests.
> Place: Forest in Mumbai, India.

> Date: 20.7.08

> Equipment: Canon 40 D with Canon 100-400 mm IS lens

> Notes:

> It was my dream to photograph my most favorite bird and though, I have seen
> him several times over the years (even once had an opportunity to handle
> it), I always wished to make an image?..These jewels lead a mysterious life
> really?.. It is a breeding visitor to the Mumbai region arriving with the
> rains and vanishing as soon as the breeding is over?.surprisingly, there is
> not much information from where this population comes from, as there are
> very few records down south in non-breeding season?.. I suspect they migrate
> from Srilanka (?), but this needs verification. This tiny bird has such
> amazing colours that one gets stunned at its mere sight. It is a true forest
> dweller, found mostly along flowing streams in shady places, but never in
> open habitat??this extremely elusive bird is usually seen darting its way
> with such speed and agility that most of its sightings are just a glimpse
> like a zooooooooooming fire ball?. I feel blessed that I lived to see this!

> It has a distinct high pitched call, which helps to locate the bird, however
> it is seldom seen and moves almost like a bullet thro' the forest
> undergrowth, sometimes injuring itself while trying to navigate thro' the
> glass windows (in structures inside forests) obviously confusing it for a
> opening.

> The image is not exactly how I expected (I know, I am beign
> greedy:-)?.however, with the extremely low light conditions (It was very
> cloudy and in shade), high ISO and just a few seconds glimpse? I could just
> manage this much.

> For the groups which don't allow attachments......here is the link to the
> photograph...

> http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=54947

> For more information on this species.....click below.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-backed_Kingfisher

> http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:FE-0-LS4x4QJ:rmbr.nus.edu.sg/bib...

> Regards,

> Adesh Shivkar
> (Mumbai)