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

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

Lucky guy,nice of him? to look at you though!

Well done Tony! Great reaction to a fleeting moment. Camera? Lens?

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

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!

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

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

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

Well done.
I am lucky where i live, there are a few on the Canal across the road from where i live.
So i get to see them all the time.
We also had a Osprey there for a week not so long ago.
Dont get many of them in Kent.
Munch

quote:

William or Ffion in the apartment above us!!

Be sure to use exposure comp to allow for the light shining from his head!

quote:

the sound still produced this almost psychedelic pic when the bird realised what was going on:

Actually I really like that pic!

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

Great pic Tony.