My first kingfisher

2622 posts
12 years
Warwickshire

Posted 23/01/2021 - 10:01 Link

Well not the first time I have seen one but the first time I have managed some photos. After hearing that one was to be spotted by the bridge in the centre of the village I set off as soon as it was light and was rewarded by this chap obligingly sitting nearby. The ISO is eye-wateringly high at 20,000 but the DFA 150-450mm on the K1 performed remarkably well, nailing the focus 8 out of 10 times. The only crop was to chop the sides to make it square.

Mike-P Mike-P

13627 posts
18 years
Hythe,
Hampshire UK

Posted 23/01/2021 - 10:44 Link

Well caught, I do find the K-1 and 150-450mm an excellent combo for low light wildlife photography, the files clean up very very well. I used to see a kingfisher every so often at a local reserve but I haven't been since March, they really are magical birds.

My Flickr

Chrism8 Chrism8

2128 posts
16 years
St Austell,
Cornwall

Posted 23/01/2021 - 11:30 Link

Superb capture Rob, we're you at 450mm or closer and even at the high ISO, the details very good

Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM

LongTimeLurke... LongTimeLurker

317 posts
13 years
Ilkley,
UK

Posted 23/01/2021 - 11:38 Link

Very well captured: a picture to be really pleased with.

The closest I have come to seeing a kingfisher is a streak of bluey-green as it flew by. Well done on spotting this little fella.

Nigel.

Getting older and grumpier. Taking longer to decide which lens to use today.

K5 with auto-everything lenses
A collection of manual primes to keep me in touch with the pleasures of doing it old-school.

Plus Member LennyBloke LennyBloke

7373 posts
18 years
Worcestershire

Posted 23/01/2021 - 11:42 Link

Well done Rob - nice capture, I'm quite envious

LennyBloke

RobL RobL

2622 posts
12 years
Warwickshire

Posted 23/01/2021 - 12:02 Link

Chrism8 wrote:
Superb capture Rob, we're you at 450mm or closer and even at the high ISO, the details very good

At full stretch of 450mm, f5.6 and 1/500 sec, using the bridge parapet for support. Just before this a goldcrest flew past my head, the little beggar too fast to capture. Thanks for the comments all.

Edited by RobL: 23/01/2021 - 12:05

Plus Member Lubbyman Lubbyman

2971 posts
18 years
South Dorset

Posted 23/01/2021 - 14:04 Link

Good shot and lovely bird. I'm envious - only ever seen them in flight and for no more than a second or two.

Steve

Plus Member K10D K10D

6417 posts
17 years

Posted 23/01/2021 - 15:33 Link

Very nice. Good image and great colours.

Best regards

Too far from a shore.

davidwozhere davidwozhere

3699 posts
12 years
Slap in the middle of England

Posted 23/01/2021 - 16:00 Link

Lucky beggar! I would simply like the chance to look at one never mind get a photo as nice as this.

Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd

jvs jvs

987 posts
15 years
Hudds,
West Yorks

Posted 23/01/2021 - 16:32 Link

Lovely!

John

pschlute pschlute

5158 posts
20 years
Surrey

Posted 23/01/2021 - 19:33 Link

Always been my dream to capture one of these. Well done.

Peter
My Flickr page

Plus Member womble womble

7666 posts
18 years
Hertfordshire,
mostly.

Posted 23/01/2021 - 22:04 Link

Very nice indeed. As my wife will attest, I have a superb library of photos with the blurred image of the rear end of an animal leaving the frame. I'm very jealous!

Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.

RobL RobL

2622 posts
12 years
Warwickshire

Posted 25/01/2021 - 11:17 Link

Well he/she was back again this morning in better light when I arrived at around 8.50 and stayed for half an hour so, and I had the luxury of trying different exposure settings. Slightly further away this time so a bit more of a crop but able to use lower ISOs. When the sun came out the feathers changed from blue to turquoise, doubtless due to their irridescence.