kingfisher

[squirl033]

anyone who's tried to photograph one of these little fellas knows how incredibly skittish and hard to approach they are... i'd been trying to get close enough for a decent shot for over a year, with no luck. every time i got within 30 yards, the little rotters would take off, cackling all the way, and disappear into the brush, or perch on a branch overhanging the lake at a range that would require the Hubble to get a good shot. then, finally, at a city park in Bellevue, about 12 miles from home, i saw one fly across a pond. i followed a gravel path around the pond, and as i came around a bend, wham! there he was, perched on a willow branch over a small outlet stream. i stopped where i was, about 25 feet away, and slowly aimed my camera and took some shots. i got about 6 frames before he looked up, realized i was there, and took off... 40D, Sigma EX 80-400 @ 400mm, 1/320 @ f/6.3

[Mad Aussie]

The 2nd one looks like you got the moment he realized you were there

Great shots ... and I do know how hard they are to get! If it makes you feel any better ... they are just as hard to get down here as well.

[AntZ]

Cool haircut. Nice capture and DOF. They are different from our Kingfishers.

[Michaelaw]

You got one I've been trying to get a shot like that forever, almost ready to drape little fish around my neck. Great shots too

[JAS_Photo]

Good work! Beautiful little bird!

[MoinMoin]

cackling all the way

I guess one click after the second picture he flew off again?
Great pictures!

[Iguanasan]

Great capture. Though I haven't chased this particular bird I do know what it's like to try and capture others of his species. The little buggers don't like to sit long if they think there's someone around.

[EJC]

Wow! Great shots! They are tough to get close to.

[Marko]

Well done SQ!