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