23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Kingfisher with a preying mantis
White-throated Kingfishers are relatively common in the Indian subcontinent. They inhabit a variety of locations. I followed a pair over several breeding cycles and their territory was neglected grassland with scattered trees. They would sit on a high perch and observe movement in the grass; lizards, large insects, small frogs and small snakes were potential prey. In the image shown a preying mantis was the victim.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 09.2024 |
| Date Uploaded: | 11.2025 |
| Photo Location: | near Penanti village, Malaysia |
| Camera: | Canon EOS-1D X Mark III |
| Copyright: | © Graeme Guy |