The Kingfisher and the Falcon

 

The kingfisher was perched upon a stump protruding four feet above the lake surface. From this lake location near the mouth of the river which fed the impoundment, he commanded an excellent view of the water below, where smallmouth bass minnows hid amongst rocks of the lake bottom. His gaze was unyielding as he remained motionless.

 

The morning light exposed his target and in an instant, like a thrown spear, he plunged headfirst into the water, but his quarry was too quick and the fisher extracted himself from the water, shaking water from his wings, as he maneuvered back towards the perch.

 

Out of nowhere, a more ominous predator streaked towards the kingfisher. Barely avoiding the falcon, the flying fisher dove back towards the water and disappeared into the safety of the lake waters, beyond the peregrine’s reach.

 

Unable to remain in the water, the kingfisher leaped skyward again and flew at full speed up the river in search of an escape route. The faster peregrine circled and attacked again and once more the kingfisher dove. The kurplunk of the bird hitting the water caught the fisherman’s attention and he gazed at the two birds astounded by the scene in front of him – one bird maneuvering to escape and the other with bloodshed on its mind.

 

The kingfisher appeared over matched as it climbed and dove only to climb back into the air again. The fisherman was certain the kingfisher’s demise was imminent, but after a series of dives and recoveries by the kingfisher, the peregrine became perplexed by the its inability to catch the long billed diving bird and gave up the pursuit to seek a better opportunity for the acquisition of breakfast.

 

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