Saturday 28 August 2010

Update on project kingfisher

In May I posted two photographs from project kingfisher. Since then I've have gone back to find the kingishers on multiple occassions. The good news is that I always see at least one. The bad news is when I take my camera they stay away. Two Sundays ago when I went without binoculars (it was a very grey day and threatening to rain) one settled about four metres from me and sat there for a good ten minutes despite me being joined by a dog-walker. Today with the first forecast weekend sunshine in weeks I set out early to try once again.

Warbler

Once again I came away without any shots. One flew by early on and after that I saw no sign of it or its mate. I did, however, have a great time photographing a warbler in the reed bed. At first I thought it was probably a reed warbler given its location and behaviour. As I worked closer, however, I realised it was yellower than I would have expected. So then I thought it was probably a willow warbler. Looking at the photos now I'm wondering if it is in fact a chiff-chaff. It didn't sing, so no help there. But the darker legs seem to indicate it is not a willow warbler and the yellowish front and roundish head seems indicate it is not a reed warbler? One of these days I'll get the hang of warblers.

Warbler

On the plus front this is the first set of wildlife shots in good light with the 7D and I am extremely pleased with the way the camera performed.

9 comments:

  1. Ian nice story line. We have kingfishers here too, and once I was lucky that he flew close, sat on the boardwalk railing for few seconds. I got few snaps, not perfect, but this is the closest ever been to the kingfisher, 2 meters. Nice pictures as always, and I like warblers they are so adorable, not to mention sparrows too. Good luck with your project... Anna :)

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  2. I too went looking for Kingfishers both one day this past week and again today. Everyone sees them at different places on a lake near my home, but I never spot them since last summer. Great captures you got of this little chap though. I love the empty branches in deep magenta with the bird perched perfectly. A human could not have chosen a more perfect branch to capture it on~

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  3. Whatever it's name,it's a cute little bird.Wish you good luck with Kingfishers,I love them sharp and accurate hunters. We have a few very beautiful ones over here.

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  4. Hi Ian,
    Well you got some shots at least and they are wonderful! I heard that kingfisher are quite shy bird and that you first have to observe where they land and build a hide to get nice pictures ;-) Have you tried that ?

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  5. Awesome images! The red adds so much to the bottom pic, it's a winner! :-)

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  6. Thanks for the comments, everyone. Yes, Chris. You're right a hide is normally needed. I was just hoping because this pair is so confiding I might manage without.

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  7. Oooh I'd love a 7D..... :D and your pictures make me want one even more ...

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  8. Hi Ian. Definitely all the right ID features for a Chiff .. great captures. FAB.

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  9. Kingfisher are really very small cute birds with so light weight but the nature best bird.here he just swings on the leafs as well as on the roots of the plants.This snaps are quiet superb to watch.

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