Kingfishers and Beginners Luck
30th October 2020
My good colleagues at the Chelmsford Camera Club wildlife special interest group, very generously provided a host of information in terms of where they have been shooting, species and anything to take note. During an easing of some of the lockdown restrictions took myself off to various destinations recommended and ended up having an amazing few days.
I would of course like to suggest I had made extensive preparations, and was going prepared with a specific shot in mind. However, the reality on the first few visits was more of an exploration to see what was available, shooting positions and hides, and anything captured a bonus.
My first visit to Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve at Lackford, was to provide an amazing initial visit. From various ducks, geese, egrets, grey herons to a spot of a very elusive Water Rail. If the latter wasn't good enough, then better was to follow with various Kingfisher sightings, and a Hobby eating his catch in the tree above the hide I was shooting from. Bouyed by this success, I quickly returned a couple of days later, specifically for the Kingfisher, and so extended my successful initial visits.
I would of course like to suggest I had made extensive preparations, and was going prepared with a specific shot in mind. However, the reality on the first few visits was more of an exploration to see what was available, shooting positions and hides, and anything captured a bonus.
My first visit to Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve at Lackford, was to provide an amazing initial visit. From various ducks, geese, egrets, grey herons to a spot of a very elusive Water Rail. If the latter wasn't good enough, then better was to follow with various Kingfisher sightings, and a Hobby eating his catch in the tree above the hide I was shooting from. Bouyed by this success, I quickly returned a couple of days later, specifically for the Kingfisher, and so extended my successful initial visits.
However, everything may have been a little different had it not been for the expertise of a couple of locals in the hide. Very welcoming, friendly, and seemingly a font of all knowledge, this kind gentleman advised as follows - 'if the kingfisher rests on that branch, he'll dive about there, surface just there (pointing) and eat his catch on that perch from the water to the right.' 'Oh and he'll be back in about 25-30 minutes.'
It proved to be a little longer than 30 minutes, but how right my esteemed adviser proved to be, which allowed sufficient knowledge to focus and expose exactly where suggested and provide me with a bumper first couple of visits.
A collection of images can be viewed on the website in the British Birds galleries, some of which are cropped into a square format. All images are available as prints. Enquiries welcome.
It proved to be a little longer than 30 minutes, but how right my esteemed adviser proved to be, which allowed sufficient knowledge to focus and expose exactly where suggested and provide me with a bumper first couple of visits.
A collection of images can be viewed on the website in the British Birds galleries, some of which are cropped into a square format. All images are available as prints. Enquiries welcome.