UK Female Kingfishers

[mick johnson]

Here are two shots of my favourite bird, the Kingfisher.

It is the female leaving the nest burrow while feeding the young.

They come out backwards and flip over straight away so you can get some interesting shots.....if you are quick enough. :)

They are both flashed of course.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/mickjohnson/x.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/mickjohnson/xxxx.jpg

[leedslad]

Great shots Mick. How many strobes do you have there? I'd be interested in hearing how you set up the shot, if you'd be kind enough to share?

[Neilyb]

Both excellent shot Mick, well done!

[mick johnson]

Great shots Mick. How many strobes do you have there? I'd be interested in hearing how you set up the shot, if you'd be kind enough to share?

Don't mind at all.

I had three 550ex, two on the bird and one on the background, and an STE-2.

I used a Sigma 105 macro lens on a tripod with a 10 metre cable release to a hide.

[philc123]

Hi Mick,
Stunning shots! National geographic material for me. :)

Wonderful subjects and great captures.

[mick johnson]

Thank's Neilyb and Phil..

[snappa]

Great shots Mick.

[aligater]

Both outstanding Mick, excellent timing.It looks pretty dark, was it the time of day or tree cover ?

[ajosteve]

Really fine shots Mick, must be loads of fun to shoot these birds! steve

[Black_lab]

Mick - how easy was it to get a license to photgraph these ?

[mick johnson]

Thank's for the comments.

Aligator... they are done in dull weather but you have to with this sort of flash photography.

I think I've processed them a bit on the dark side now I'm looking at them in daylight.

The background is also flashed as it would be totally black but it's hard to get it perfect.

Black_lab... I found it pretty straight forward to get a license but you have to show 5-6 similar type images and get two referees.

[Glenn.B]

Mick, very nice shots indeed. i know how quickly they can leave the burrow. i've tried this myself but not with flash and futher away ( 500mm + 1.4 tc )

you obviously have a great location.

re the licence, seems a bit of catch 22, you need a licence to photograph, but can't without ......... how do you get 5-6 similar pic's? ( maybe of non schedule 1 birds ? )

my kingfisher was from a public hide. didnt require a licence.

[Sindri Skulason]

Outstanding shots with perfect timing. :-)

[mick johnson]

re the licence, seems a bit of catch 22, you need a licence to photograph, but can't without ......... how do you get 5-6 similar pic's? ( maybe of non schedule 1 birds ? )

Glen, I actually sent a Blue Tit landing at the nesthole, Same but Great Tit, a Buzzard standing on a Rabbit, a Woodpecker just on a tree and I think, a Wagtail with food in it's beak.

So I don't think you necessarily need the exact type of shot.

You do have to explain in great detail what you are intending to do and you also have to provide a grid reference of the nest site...so they can maybe check up on you I suppose.

[mick johnson]

Thankyou Sindri...

[avwh]

License to photograph? I'm not familiar with this, on this side of the pond.

Is the kingfisher an endangered species, or is this in some particular location that's protected?

Great shots, Mick - with your lighting, the bird color rivals that of most hummingbirds.

[mick johnson]

License to photograph? I'm not familiar with this, on this side of the pond.

Is the kingfisher an endangered species, or is this in some particular location that's protected?

Great shots, Mick - with your lighting, the bird color rivals that of most hummingbirds.

The Kingfisher along with quite a few more birds are a protected species and you need a license to photograph them at or near the nest site during the breeding season.

We only have one species of Kingfisher and it is a truly beautifull bird in sunlight. My pic's don't do it justice really.

I do envy you with all those Hummers though.