Willow the Kingfisher

[Michael]

Thought you might like to see Willow (that's where I first saw him) having a nice little stretch between meals.

[IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/Twinkle3000/Willow2600.jpg[/IMG]

[Ian]

Wow, incredible picture Michael.

We have a resident kingfisher along our stretch of river - but I've never been able to capture a pic - let alone a beauty like this one.  Congratulations.  Ian

[Michael]

Thanks Ian, it’s surprising how placing a convenient perch over the water’s edge helps. By the way – love the house.

[Francie]

Michael,

 

That’s an incredible photograph. I am interested to know what equipment you used to take it. Well done.  

 

Francis.

[Christine Animal]

Superb Michael !

 

[Michael]

Ingrediants for Willow picture.

 

1 Nikon D70 SLR digital camera.

1 Sigma 170 – 500mm zoom lens.

1 Willow.

 

Place ingredients in a suitable location;

Add conveniently placed perch.

Add bucketfuls’ of luck and copious amounts of patience.

 

Result;

[IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/Twinkle3000/Willow1600.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks for the kind comments.

 

 

[Suninfrance]

Superb pictures.  I love kingfishers, but they are just so quick.  Quite often see them when we're canoeing on the Dordogne, but not quick enough to get a photo.

You should enter it into a photo competition ; Digital Camera Magazine Photographer Of The Year 2007  You never know!!!

Jan

[Jonzjob]

Your patience was well rewarded, fantastic photos. Well worth an photo award as Jan said!

[Pads]

Loverly pics , but why did you take out the back ground?

[raindog]

FANTASTIC pics!

Years since I saw a kingfisher, none round here.

[Michael]

Well thank you once again. I didn’t remove the background. The pictures were taken on an overcast morning, the angle of the shot meant that the lake water was in the background. Zoom lenses require plenty of light, hence the lack of definition, which I enhanced with Photoshop. Even a blind chicken occasionally finds the corn!

[IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/Twinkle3000/Willow3600.jpg[/IMG]

[Suninfrance]

That is such a gorgeous picture.  Seriously, you should enter them into a competition.

My brother and his girlfriend are really into photography, so why not check out their websites.   www.wildlifeindigital.co.uk and www.natureinbritain.co.uk.

Jan

[Michael]

Hi Jan, I couldn't get into wildlifeindigital but managed to look at natureinbritain, beautiful, some wonderful pictures. Will definitely be revisiting the sites. I've never entered any photographic competitions and to be honest, this is the first time I have ever put any on a website. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and those that are able to see the wonders of nature are truly privileged.

[Suninfrance]

I just tried to get into the wildlifeindigital website and it seems to be down at the moment.  I'll be e-mailing my brother tomorrow and I'll ask him what's up with it.  It may just be a case of him transferring pictures from that site to his new site at natureinbritain as he's having a break from work at the mo to do some more photography.

Keep checking though as it may come back online in the next couple of days or so.

I've got my bird feeders set up again outside the front window and brought one which (allegedly) sticks to the window.  First day I put it up and within 10 minutes I watch in horror as it slid down the window and dropped off onto the stone step below.  Obviously not enough spit on the suction pad - lol.  Hoping to get some more nice pictures of the birds again this year and hope that my pair of nuthatches returns.

[Michael]

Yes - such a pleasure feeding the wild birds - just wish I could find a supplyer of 15kg+ bags of peanuts - ideas anyone?

[Suninfrance]

Have you tried your local "Co-op Agricole" - they sometimes stock large quantities of peanuts.  I usually get a supply brought over from England for me around this time of year.