Footage shot by a nature photographer from Lille (Antwerp Province) has going viral on Instagram. Wim Bosch’s video of a humourous scene featuring two kingfishers has been viewed a whopping 8.7 million times so far. 384,000 people have “liked it” and no fewer than 16,000 people have reacted to the film that shows a male kingfisher try to woo a female bird by offering her a fish. However, the male bird’s advances are shunned.
When nature photographer Wim Bosch saw the two kingfishers he didn’t hesitate. He immediately took out his mobile phone and filmed the seduction attempt from behind the window of his woodland cabin. Wim posts nature photographs and films on Instagram and Facebook every day, "But never in my wildest dreams did I expect my film would go viral", he told VRT News.
In the video, the male bird tries to seduce the female with a fish that is in his mouth. The female seems anything but interested. "As long as the female doesn't accept the fish, the male doesn't stand a chance," Wim Bosch explains. "If either the female or male does accept the offering, a pair is formed and the kingfishers can start breeding."
"You don’t often see kingfishers. You need a place where water and fish are at hand. As a nature photographer, you mostly need patience, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
More than 8 million people have already watched Wim’s video.