My first kingfisher

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RobL

Member

2,215 posts

6 years
Warwickshire

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 10:01

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

Member

13,020 posts

12 years
Hampshire UK

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 10:44

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.

No equipment list here but thanks for taking an interest. My Flickr

Chrism8

Member

1,550 posts

11 years
Gloucester

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 11:30

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 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax FA 24 - 70 F2.8

Sigma 100-300 F4, Samyang 14mm F2.8, Sigma 70-200 F2.8,

K5iis - Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Sigma 70 - 300 F3.5/F5.6, Sigma 18 - 200 F3.6 / F4.5.

LongTimeLurker

Member

169 posts

7 years
Ilkley, UK

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 11:38

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.

LennyBloke

Member

5,019 posts

13 years
Worcestershire

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 11:42

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

LennyBloke

RobL

Member

2,215 posts

6 years
Warwickshire

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 12:02

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.

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

Lubbyman

Member

1,108 posts

12 years
South Dorset

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 14:04

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

Steve

K10D

Member

5,894 posts

12 years

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 15:33

Very nice. Good image and great colours.

Best regards

davidwozhere

Member

2,282 posts

6 years
Slap in the middle of England

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 16:00

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 - link

jvs

Member

561 posts

10 years
Hudds, West Yorks

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 16:32

Lovely!

John

pschlute

Member

4,125 posts

14 years
Surrey

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 19:33

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

Peter

My Flickr page

womble

Plus Member

7,146 posts

12 years
Hertfordshire, mostly.

Link Posted 23/01/2021 - 22:04

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.
My website

RobL

Member

2,215 posts

6 years
Warwickshire

Link Posted 25/01/2021 - 11:17

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.