Creation Speaks: The King's Fisher

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9

Belted Kingfisher; Walton County, Georgia. May, 2018

Thursday, 9:01 AM - An attuned ear will frequently hear the loud rattle-like voice of Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon) patrolling ponds and waterways for fish. Occasionally one will take a fishing break and sit long enough for a photo, as this one did, perched upon the post of an old duck nesting box behind the animal shelter. I’ve had the privilege of watching one of these amazing birds take its characteristic headlong dive into the water from a branch overhanging the pond and come up with a large fish. As I watched him swallow this fish that I assumed was too large a catch to slide down his throat, I was amazed at his fishing skill. Truly, a king fisher!

October 26, 2016; 8:51 AM. Walton County, Georgia.

The origin of the name isn’t certain. But, as it is certain that this bird is adept at fishing, the appropriateness of the moniker is obvious. However, since many other birds are also quite good at catching fish, another theory is that some monarch with an affinity for the bird gave him the name: thus, the King’s Fisher. I can’t help but think of King Solomon’s “three thousand proverbs which spoke of trees, beasts, birds, creeping things, and fishes.”[i] In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary states the name was originally written as The King’s Fisher (“kyngys fischare” in Middle English).[ii]

October 26, 2016; 8:52 AM. Walton County, Georgia.

THE KING OF KINGFISHERS
During his earthly ministry of discipling young fisherman to become apostles, Jesus stated, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”[iii]  His desire is for His followers to “launch out into the deep and let down the nets for a draught”[iv] of lost souls; so much so that He desires our nets to be so heavy we might “not be able to draw them in for the multitude of fishes”[v]! If it is truly our Lord’s desire for us to be such fishers of men, we should strive to be the best fisherman possible. We can learn a few fishing tips from the Kingfisher.

August 4, 2016; 9:01 AM.

October 26, 2016; 8:53 AM. Walton County, Georgia.

BE VOCAL!
Kingfishers are quite vocal and are often heard long before they are seen.  They almost always make their presence known by a loud, rattling call. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology states, “Male and female Belted Kingfishers give strident, mechanical rattles in response to the slightest disturbance.”[vi] I can always hear a Kingfisher from my office if there is one on the shelter pond. As Christians hoping to win souls for our King, we should be just as vocal about the saving grace of Jesus everywhere we go. Our presence and evangelistic desire should never be hidden.  As Paul said, “If our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost.”[vii]

DIVE IN!
The Kingfisher’s mode of catching fish is also an inspiration. They plunge headfirst directly from a perch, or, by hovering over the water bill downward, dive in after a fish they’ve spotted. Oh how many more souls we might win if we were to dive headfirst into every situation declaring the Gospel! A “pool” of souls on a city bus?  Dive in head first and preach! A “school” of fish? Take a plunge and declare the word of God no matter what the teachers might say! After all, we are the King’s Fishers, and “Peter and the other apostles said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”[viii]

​[i] 1 Kings 4:33
[ii] https://www.quora.com/How-did-the-kingfisher-bird-get-its-name
[iii] Matthew 4:19
[iv] Luke 5:4
[v] John 21:6
[vi] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/id
[vii] 2 Corinthians 4:3
[viii] Acts 5:29

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