Posted by Magnus Hird on January 2, 2009 at 1:19 PM
After 3 days of crouching, kneeling and sitting in a frozen reed bed I feel the need to share what I've got! To be honest it isn't the shot I've been after - most of the time I've been set up under a camouflage net watching a specific reed head that this guy seems to like. Despite him being sat on it most days when I see him, in the hours when I've been in position so far he's spent about 2 seconds perched on it! Today he didn't want to come past a tree a bit further along the ditch and I finally managed to grab 4 frames as he stopped in it briefly.
40D + 120-300 +1.4xTC @ 420mm, ISO 640 at f6.3 for 1/800 +1/3ev
Tripod and cold toes
Pretty large crop - 55% of original frame. Some cloning out of twigs on right hand edge and the top of the frame. Cloned out an OOF white lump in the field behind. Might be a bit oversharpened too.
Anyway, its something to keep me motivated to get the shot I'm after. All comments and any tips welcome - especially how close you can expect to be and not have these scared to perch
Posted by jack chapman on January 2, 2009 at 3:38 PM
nice shot, never had any luck with these myself so i can't speak from experience, but setting the camera up on a remote might work if you have one perch in mind, that way you don't have to kneel in the frozen reed bed
Posted by John Robinson on January 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Magnus
I've always used a pop up hide or more permanent job and had them at 4 foot many times. Once they accept the hide theres no problem.
Good start though.
JohnR
Hi Magnus,
At least you got something to show from your time spent waiting in the reed beds.
Good luck for your next visit.
All comments and any tips welcome - especially how close you can expect to be and not have these scared to perch
On one occasion when I photographed a Kingfisher I was in a small portable hide in the pouring rain, I was halfway through setting up, it hadn't even got properly light as it was at some unearthly hour before dawn, I looked out of the front of the hide and a Kingfisher had arrived straightaway. I got in my chair, the whole thing ripped and totally collapsed. I ended up on the ground making a right racket in the process. I probably called out a few swear words as I was sat in all the thick, wet mud with rain leaking through the hide roof straight on to my head.
I thought I would definately have blown my chances for the day. I got re-organised, looked out of the hide and the Kingfisher was still there to my amazement looking as relaxed as anything.
The perch/bird were only 6.5-7.5 feet away.
At least you've got one. I only saw them from a great distance as a small blue spot flying from left to right and back.
I think you're right about over sharpening.
Posted by Cliff Young on January 3, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Well done, Magnus. I guess I only see one a year if that and then without camera in hand so 10 out of 10 for dogged determination. Cliff
Posted by Barry Southon on January 3, 2009 at 4:13 AM
Magnus
I'm sure you'll get the shot your after sooner rather than later. A Belted Kingfisher is my greatest frustration too. I know its habitat but just can't get close enough for a detailed shot, sets up the challenge right enough.
Barry
Eastbourne
Posted by Lee Newman on January 3, 2009 at 4:59 AM
I have spent hours watching these birds flying up & down but never perching close enough for a shot so well done.
Lee
Posted by John Varley on January 3, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Well done Magnus, at least you have something for your efforts. I'm sure, sometimes birds just like to tease us.
I went for a walk along my local canal on a frosty morning before Christmas. Didn't have a long lens with me. Met a local birdwatcher and got talking near a patch of willow scrub in the canal. Along comes a Kingfisher and proceeds to fish right in front of us (20-30ft away), the birdwatcher had a camcorder with him and filmed it catching a fish. I was very suprised, normally my local Kingfishers are very wary. I can only assume she was very hungry and the fishing was good at this spot.
I returned the following two days with my long lens and tripod but no hide and got some pics. On all three occasions it came around 1pm. Until this happened I had always assumed a hide was essential for photographing Kingfishers (I still think it is for really good pics). Sometimes one just gets lucky.
I'm sure you patience will be rewarded Magnus.
John
Posted by Magnus Hird on January 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Thanks for all the helpful advice and sympathies
Unfortunately the location is very open and not far from a public footpath so I don't have an option to leave a hide in place. Its also very uneven and heavily vegetated some my pop-up hide isn't really ideal, hence I've resorted to a camo net over the top of my and the tripod. This particular bird does seem quite skittish - there's no way it tolerates me stalking up to it. I'll keep at it and post what I get, hopefully before the ice on the open water melts and it has more choice over where to fish
Posted by Paul Hobson on January 3, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Magnus, I have photographed Kingfishers many times and none have ever been the slightest bit bothered by a hide, I have had them land in front on a perch 10 mins after putting the hide up, and a couple of times they use the hide itself as a perch. It just takes time but it will come good.
Paul
From what you say, I think the K’fisher was aware of your presence.
Always remember, that it is always best to err on the side of caution. Bearing in mind the proximity of Joe public. I would suggest that you tried setting up a hide in the required position just as the sun goes down the night before. Get into the hide at the crack of dawn and you should stand a good chance. K’fishers need reasonable light penetrating the water to see their prey, so they don’t tend to move around their territory as early as some species.
If you do try putting up a hide choose a week day, less inquisitive people/children around to disturb you.
Another method is always remote control.
There is no really hard and fast rules for any species when it comes to approachability, and even more so when you take into account individuals within a species. Approachability can also vary with the seasons. An Eider duck for example, can lifted from its nest in order to collect the down, but you try and get close it any other time of year, and you will have problems.
Good luck, I'm sure it will come good, Where there is a will there is invariably a way.
Discussion
11 replies40D + 120-300 +1.4xTC @ 420mm, ISO 640 at f6.3 for 1/800 +1/3ev
Tripod and cold toes
Pretty large crop - 55% of original frame. Some cloning out of twigs on right hand edge and the top of the frame. Cloned out an OOF white lump in the field behind. Might be a bit oversharpened too.
Anyway, its something to keep me motivated to get the shot I'm after. All comments and any tips welcome - especially how close you can expect to be and not have these scared to perch
I've always used a pop up hide or more permanent job and had them at 4 foot many times. Once they accept the hide theres no problem.
Good start though.
JohnR
At least you got something to show from your time spent waiting in the reed beds.
Good luck for your next visit.
On one occasion when I photographed a Kingfisher I was in a small portable hide in the pouring rain, I was halfway through setting up, it hadn't even got properly light as it was at some unearthly hour before dawn, I looked out of the front of the hide and a Kingfisher had arrived straightaway. I got in my chair, the whole thing ripped and totally collapsed. I ended up on the ground making a right racket in the process. I probably called out a few swear words as I was sat in all the thick, wet mud with rain leaking through the hide roof straight on to my head.
I thought I would definately have blown my chances for the day. I got re-organised, looked out of the hide and the Kingfisher was still there to my amazement looking as relaxed as anything.
The perch/bird were only 6.5-7.5 feet away.
I think you're right about over sharpening.
I'm sure you'll get the shot your after sooner rather than later. A Belted Kingfisher is my greatest frustration too. I know its habitat but just can't get close enough for a detailed shot, sets up the challenge right enough.
Barry
Eastbourne
Lee
I went for a walk along my local canal on a frosty morning before Christmas. Didn't have a long lens with me. Met a local birdwatcher and got talking near a patch of willow scrub in the canal. Along comes a Kingfisher and proceeds to fish right in front of us (20-30ft away), the birdwatcher had a camcorder with him and filmed it catching a fish. I was very suprised, normally my local Kingfishers are very wary. I can only assume she was very hungry and the fishing was good at this spot.
I returned the following two days with my long lens and tripod but no hide and got some pics. On all three occasions it came around 1pm. Until this happened I had always assumed a hide was essential for photographing Kingfishers (I still think it is for really good pics). Sometimes one just gets lucky.
I'm sure you patience will be rewarded Magnus.
John
Unfortunately the location is very open and not far from a public footpath so I don't have an option to leave a hide in place. Its also very uneven and heavily vegetated some my pop-up hide isn't really ideal, hence I've resorted to a camo net over the top of my and the tripod. This particular bird does seem quite skittish - there's no way it tolerates me stalking up to it. I'll keep at it and post what I get, hopefully before the ice on the open water melts and it has more choice over where to fish
Paul
From what you say, I think the K’fisher was aware of your presence.
Always remember, that it is always best to err on the side of caution. Bearing in mind the proximity of Joe public. I would suggest that you tried setting up a hide in the required position just as the sun goes down the night before. Get into the hide at the crack of dawn and you should stand a good chance. K’fishers need reasonable light penetrating the water to see their prey, so they don’t tend to move around their territory as early as some species.
If you do try putting up a hide choose a week day, less inquisitive people/children around to disturb you.
Another method is always remote control.
There is no really hard and fast rules for any species when it comes to approachability, and even more so when you take into account individuals within a species. Approachability can also vary with the seasons. An Eider duck for example, can lifted from its nest in order to collect the down, but you try and get close it any other time of year, and you will have problems.
Good luck, I'm sure it will come good, Where there is a will there is invariably a way.