Kingfisher with Fish

[Mick Johnson]

Well a fish and a half really considering it was about to give it to one of it's young.

They actually feed them about one fish an hour so it can be slow photography really. 5 or 6 young, so 5 or 6 shots per hour.

This type of shot is easy but when trying to get them in flight it works out at zero shots per hour most of the time.

Shame the tail is hidden and it is on most of these I have, so this year I'm going to make an extra effort to get a few with all the bird.....I hope.

[Bearface]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

Love the image; it's nicely balanced and you've captured a great moment. Nice strong colours and a smooth, complimentary background really make for a pleasing shot.

I can't help wondering whether the focus was slightly out though (or whether there was some camera shake?), as although the kingfisher clearly stands out as clear as day from the OOF background, there's a hint of softness which appears to have been sharpened a fair amount to compensate. I could be mistaken, but that's my gut feeling.

[Stephen]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

I'm suprised this image has not had more attention or comments than it has. It is a shot that clearly takes a great deal of skill and patience. Knowing where to set up the camera, the habits of the bird, knowing where the bird will rest. This could be a set up perch for all I know, if so it probably meant Mick could control things even better. He has the background just right to achieve perfect uncluttered bokeh. Ok so the lack of the tail frustrates you Mick, I can assure you though from one photographer to another, and from one who has never done this sort of thing cos its not my bag so to speak, this image leaves me in awe....... respect

[Pops]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

As with all of your other Kingfisher shots I have see I just sit, stare and wonder just how you do it.

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

I can't help wondering whether the focus was slightly out though (or whether there was some camera shake?), as although the kingfisher clearly stands out as clear as day from the OOF background, there's a hint of softness which appears to have been sharpened a fair amount to compensate. I could be mistaken, but that's my gut feeling.

Your gut feeling is correct. It's one of those shots I've never used for either a print or website.

I do have a similar one on my site but that is about the same, in fact I've got about 20. I'll keep them till this summer when I shall be photographing them again but this time with much better lenses.

It was taken with a long zoom and a 20d and I found it was not as good with digital as it was with slidefilm, the lens that is.

All the really good Kingfisher shots I have are taken with primes, mainly a 100mm Macro lens for 'in flight' stuff. I have used a Canon 70-200 as well with great results.

I'm not the best at resizing and sharpening for web use, or I don't think I am so I have attached a 100% crop of the head so you can have a closer look. I'ts not been sharpened or anything. It was a Raw file.

I have used 'save for web' at 100% so it's lost something I suppose.

Thank's,

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

Thank's Stephen, and Pops. This 'is my bag' so I find this particular type of shot fairly easy.

It is setup with a stick in the middle of the river and opposite the nest burrow and my hide just 8-9 feet away and also in the river.

The sun was only in the right place for 2 hours in the morning but in that time the bird will come maybe 4-5 times, but sometimes not at all.

There was also no, good natural background, so I made this one with some sheep fencing and covered it with ferns.

Already got my license to do it all again this year, if the Kingfisher comes back of course.

[lumix]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

Mick I've got to say I admire you patience and determination to get these beautiful shots. I'm also, like the Kingfisher, a very keen fisherman. I have spent hours with the camera at my side just waiting for the opportunity to get a shot of the kingfishers working the same water as I. So far have not got a single shot that I would show to anyone. I'll probably win the Lotto before I do.

[Pol]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

Well I reckon it's another belter under yer belt, Mick.

Are you saying you built the hide in the river? Heck! If so, how did you manage to stay warm and dry?

Pol

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Kingfisher with Fish

Well I reckon it's another belter under yer belt, Mick.

Are you saying you built the hide in the river? Heck! If so, how did you manage to stay warm and dry?

Pol

Hello Pol, no, did'nt build it in the river but used a 3ft square canvas thing I have. I made a square base for it out of 3x2 and drilled it so I can push the 4 poles in it. In other words it can be free-standing but it is'nt very good in a wind.

The water was only about 6 inches deep so I actually left it there for days on end....well until it rained heavy and of course I had to move it before it moved itself.

I had a Dipper come under it one day and into the hide...frightened me to death for a moment as I was nodding off at the time.