Todays Birds

[fracster]

Seeing CT`s pictures of birds gives me something to aspire to. So I have been wandering up the river Ribble a lot recently trying to master the "shooting" of birds.

Anyhooooos,I think(?) this is a tree creeper....

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Tree_Creeper.jpg

This is a wagtail of some description, a yellow one?

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Yellow_Wagtail.jpg

And i guess you all know what this is, other than far too fast for me.....:D

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Kingfisher_Resized.jpg

To all who have photographed kingfishers, how do you get near enough to them? Or do I need to get camoflaged up and hide in a hide......:shrug:

[jimbob]

nice attempts.its a grey wagtail i do believe

[fracster]

nice attempts.its a grey wagtail i do believe

Thanks for the ID Jim. Just looked it up and a grey one it be.......:thumbs:

[jimbob]

no probs mate :-)

[Richard T]

looks like you had a good day!

best you go back for the kingfisher, might need to attach hubble to your camera though :D

[Busby]

:) I don't think there is an easy answer to the question...'How do you get near Kingfishers?'

Camoflage and a hide would of course help tremendously, but keeping still and low often behind a tree works just as well in my limited expierence.
Patience is the greatest virtue in photographing these birds...I've spent tens of hours in the last few weeks watching KF's and have only been rewarded a handful of times with half decent chances to get close.

One important thing I have noticed is they are most certainly creatures of habit and tend to fish in the same spots and perch on the same branches...In saying this, I mean they might have 5 or 6 perches in a specific area that they tend to use.

Looking at your photograph (excellent capture btw) you have probably noticed what appears to be holes in the bank...Could be any one of a number of things, but can also be a sign of nesting Kingfishers....

[fracster]

The sandmartins nest there mate, I will find where the kingfishers are nesting and find somewhere nearby to hide.

Hopefully with success, I`ll let you all know of course.....:thumbs:

[Venomator]

Reckon you have gone some way along the road to mastering with these attempts ... :thumbs: ... they are all captivating images and give us the opportunity to see different species in real habitat ... :D


Be very careful when trying to photograph birds at or near nests as they are mostly all protected and Kingfishers have particular restrictions I believe ... :shrug: ... and all can be easily spooked and may even desert their nests at the slightest disturbance, however well intentioned ... :suspect:




:p

[fracster]

Fair comment,i`ll keep that in mind.....:thumbs:

Prepare for a few blue dots then.......:)

[Jo]

I would be very very careful being anywhere near the Kingfishers if I were you. You could end up in serious trouble (you could be jailed it's that serious!) being anywhere near a possible nest sight with or without a camera.

There is a very interesting thread on a wildlife forum I visit occasionaly HERE (http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/9791-kingfisher-diary-photos.html). It's long, but covers some very important issues. Worth a read :)

Having said that, the Treecreeper and Grey Waggy are nice shots :thumbs:

[InaGlo]

Nice variety you caught there :thumbs:

Ive yet to see a Kingfisher myself so Im just a tad envious too!

[fracster]

I have given this some thought......:cuckoo:

The river is public footpath both sides in this area. However, the path diverts into the woods and up some bankings for about a mile in certain areas. The reason seems clear now, there are not enough of these beautiful birds about as it is, so i`m better staying away from where they may,or may not, be nesting.

Guess i`ll just have to be patient and/or lucky.....:thumbs:

F2.8 400mm with my 1.7tc would be a nice help though, guess i`ll have to buy a lottery ticket.....:D

[fracster]

Another grey wagtail, stood on a rock in the river rapids with lunch in beak.

CC more than welcome please.


http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Grey_wagtail003.jpg

[IanC_UK]

As everyone else has pointed out, the Kingfisher is a schedule one bird and without a license or shooting from an established hide you stand a great chance of getting arrested and at least fined. Doesnt mean you cant take pics of them away from the nest, but does mean you have to be very careful. Ignorance is not bliss unfortunately.

Saying that, that last one of the Waggy is very nice, good clear water too :)

[fracster]

Thanks Ian.

I can assure you that I will be going nowhere near where I think they are nesting. They need to be left in peace to produce young......:thumbs:

[Cuddy]

Fracster, later in the year when the breeding season has ended would be a good time to catch them. They will still be using the same areas so keep an eye out (from a distance) and learn there habits.

Hope you manage cos they are little gems.

That second Grey Wagtail is a belter.

regards brian.

[fracster]

One from today. In a wood near the river.

Saw the KF twice,but failed again to capture it.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Blue_tit006.jpg