Fantastic shot – one of the best kingfisher-with-its-catch photos that I’ve seen. I routinely encounter our kingfishers but have no really good images – in part due to the challenge. Good job!
Thanks Nick, but to be honest this wasn’t really a challenge apart from poor daylight. This kingfisher regularly catches a fish and lands with it on the pole in front of a hide at our local wetland centre. Of course you have to be lucky enough for him to turn up when you are there. Glad you like it though 🙂
Thank you. It is widespread in lowland areas of the UK where there are plentiful supplies of small fish and suitable steep banks for them to make nesting burrows. However it is amazing how many people have never seen one.
I am not a Nikon girl, I use Canon equipment so what I can tell you will be very general. For bird photography I use a Canon 5D mklll camera and a 400mm f5.6 prime lens.
I don’t know if Nikon do a 400mm prime lens, they may do a zoom lens up to 400mm but fixed focal lenses give better quality images than zooms.
You really need at least 300mm if you are thinking about bird photography, but unless you are going to be sitting in a hide or somewhere stationary, you need to bear in mind the weight. My lens weighs 1250g which is heavy but manageable, however I know I have had it round my neck if I have been out all day.
If you have a good camera shop nearby, I suggest you take your camera along and see if you can try out a lens or two to get the feel of it.
Good luck! I look forward to lots of bird pictures in future. Let me know what you decide on 🙂
Thank you so much. That’s several pieces of excellent advice, all in one go.
I went to Castle Espie WWT centre last week. A tale of two halves. I was almost tripping over ducks and geese around the ponds inside the centre. Then from the hides, looking out on to Strangford Lough, I was peering at tiny Brent geese in the distance. There were thousands of them, but they were soooo far away. I’m never going to be the person carrying a foot-long camera lens. So I’m not even trying to get equipment to capture distant flocks of geese, just trying to have a better chance to get shots of the birds around the farm, or on the shore. Maybe even those elusive pheasants!
So, here’s a very belated reply, to say thank you for your advice. One birthday and one Christmas later, I am now the proud owner of a new lens and tripod. First pictures are on my blog today. It feels like I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’ve got great gear to learn with.
pilipala51
Fantastic shot – one of the best kingfisher-with-its-catch photos that I’ve seen. I routinely encounter our kingfishers but have no really good images – in part due to the challenge. Good job!
Thanks Nick, but to be honest this wasn’t really a challenge apart from poor daylight. This kingfisher regularly catches a fish and lands with it on the pole in front of a hide at our local wetland centre. Of course you have to be lucky enough for him to turn up when you are there. Glad you like it though 🙂
Wonderful capture, Joyce.
Thanks Mike
Ufffff…. Preciosa, Preciosa Composición, Precioso Colorido, Un Gran Nivel De Detalle,… Muy Buena. Un Saludo.
Gracias por su gran complemento
That’s a beauty! Is it a common kingfisher?
Thank you. It is widespread in lowland areas of the UK where there are plentiful supplies of small fish and suitable steep banks for them to make nesting burrows. However it is amazing how many people have never seen one.
Beautiful.
I’m thinking of buying a new camera, or a new lens for my Nikon D90, especially for bird photography. Have you any advice?
Thanks Karolyn.
I am not a Nikon girl, I use Canon equipment so what I can tell you will be very general. For bird photography I use a Canon 5D mklll camera and a 400mm f5.6 prime lens.
I don’t know if Nikon do a 400mm prime lens, they may do a zoom lens up to 400mm but fixed focal lenses give better quality images than zooms.
You really need at least 300mm if you are thinking about bird photography, but unless you are going to be sitting in a hide or somewhere stationary, you need to bear in mind the weight. My lens weighs 1250g which is heavy but manageable, however I know I have had it round my neck if I have been out all day.
If you have a good camera shop nearby, I suggest you take your camera along and see if you can try out a lens or two to get the feel of it.
Good luck! I look forward to lots of bird pictures in future. Let me know what you decide on 🙂
Thank you so much. That’s several pieces of excellent advice, all in one go.
I went to Castle Espie WWT centre last week. A tale of two halves. I was almost tripping over ducks and geese around the ponds inside the centre. Then from the hides, looking out on to Strangford Lough, I was peering at tiny Brent geese in the distance. There were thousands of them, but they were soooo far away. I’m never going to be the person carrying a foot-long camera lens. So I’m not even trying to get equipment to capture distant flocks of geese, just trying to have a better chance to get shots of the birds around the farm, or on the shore. Maybe even those elusive pheasants!
So, here’s a very belated reply, to say thank you for your advice. One birthday and one Christmas later, I am now the proud owner of a new lens and tripod. First pictures are on my blog today. It feels like I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’ve got great gear to learn with.
I look forward to your future bird shots
Phenomenal shot
Thank you 🙂
☺☺☺
That is a stunningly beautiful shot!
Thank you Sue.
Great capture. My eyes are drawn to the two eyes caught in much different situations.
Thank you. Yes, they are the main interest in the image.
Spectacular! The Kingfisher is going on my list of bird’s to see… wow!
Thank you. They are beautiful birds.
Oops, I mean “birds.” 🙂
🙂