My first British kingfisher!
Posted by: Tony Lockhart on 08 June 2008
I took this shot while up in North Yorkshire last week. I couldn't believe my luck. I managed 4 photographs before I scared it off. It was on a wooden beam above a beck and I was on the bridge looking down from about 8 feet up. I was smiling for ages afterwards but I just wish I could have taken a better shot.
Tony
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by Bruce Woodhouse
Oh well done. We get them outside our house quite frequently but I've never managed to get a good pic of one at rest.
Bruce
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by BigH47
Lucky guy,nice of him? to look at you though!
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by Chris Kelly
Well done Tony! Great reaction to a fleeting moment. Camera? Lens?
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by Tony Lockhart
I had my EOS 40D and 17-85mm IS lens. I managed to crack off one shot, hide, adjust to more suitable settings, and take another three shots. The kingfisher was spooked on the third shot so flew off as a blur in the fourth shot. Thankfully I find the 40D a doddle to adjust 'on the fly', so much easier than the 20D I still have.
Tony
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by Chris Kelly
Yes the handling has certainly come on hasn't it? I had the original 10D - not sure what I'd make of it now!
The noise of my D3 would have spooked the little guy after one frame I suspect!
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by Tony Lockhart
The 40D is a lot quieter than the 20D, but the sound still produced this almost psychedelic pic when the bird realised what was going on:
Tony
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by Tony Lockhart
And thankfully I wasn't carrying this beauty/beast at the time:
Still, then I might have got a sneaky pic of William or Ffion in the apartment above us!!
Tony
Posted on: 09 June 2008 by Bruce Woodhouse
I think I like the blurred picture most!
It captures a lovely fluid shape, the outline of the wing etc. That flash of iridescent blue is actually what most of us experience when we see a Kingfisher.
Bruce
Posted on: 13 June 2008 by Chris Kelly
quote:
William or Ffion in the apartment above us!!
Be sure to use exposure comp to allow for the light shining from his head!
Posted on: 13 June 2008 by Chris Kelly
quote:
the sound still produced this almost psychedelic pic when the bird realised what was going on:
Actually I really like that pic!
Posted on: 14 June 2008 by naim_nymph
Nice photo’s Tony!
I used to see them quite often years ago when I was a child (we lived near a lake), don’t think I’ve seen a Kingfisher since…
This year I’ve given the garden birds a treat with a group of four hanging feeders, niger seed, mixed seed, fat-balls and nuts. To my delight this food supply is getting constantly raided by many different birds busy to feed their hungry offspring. Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Blue Tits; one would expect but I’ve been witnessing some clever acrobatics from Jackdaws, Blackbirds, a Robin, and a very comical pair of Collared Doves, all after the seed and fat balls.
The latest and most exciting addition is a mother Great Spotted Woodpecker that is frequently visiting the fat-ball and nutter hangers to feed her young male fledgling who sits watching close by.
nymph
Posted on: 15 June 2008 by MilesSmiles
Great pic Tony.
