My 1st post here, hope to see some comments.

#1 K5, DA*300, F4, 1/320s, iso 80, handheld


#2 K5, DA*300, F4, 1/320s, iso 80, handheld


#3 Kx, DA*300, F4, 1/400s, iso 400, handheld


#4 K5, DA*300, F4, 1/320s, iso 200, handheld


#5 K5, Sigma 500mm prime + 1.5x TC, F4.5, 1/500s, iso 400, handheld


#6 This KF almost got choked.
K5, Sigma 500mm prime + 1.5x TC, F4.5, 1/200s, iso 500, tripod



#1-4 & #6 is a female commond KF while #5 is the male.

[kengoh]

Fantastic!

I have the worst luck with Kingfishers. They seem to be very skittish and I can never get close enough to get a shot.

I usually try to approach nearer when there's no other big gunners shooting this bird. There are times where I can be as near as 5m when the bird is bathing & drying its feathers.

[kengoh]

Some excellent shots there Ken ! they are so tough to photograph because they rarely tolerate humans coming too close (usually 20 yds seems to be the max. unless they don't know you're there).

I know of two pairs of Kingfishers at the moment, one pair comes to a little stream just 100 yds from my home (I got some good shots today but haven't loaded them onto my computer yet) and another pair are in the Shanghai Botanical Gardens - don't think others have found them yet as all the guys with the 500/4 and 600/4s were on the other side of the park photographing some small yellow birds.

The common Kingfisher can also hover - and in fact is responsible for my most frustrating shot ever (below - taken last week) as just 5 seconds earlier I had the settings on 1/800 but changed it to 1/125 to lower the ISO as the bird was just sitting on a reed top ! I shot the series (about 8 - 10 secs) but 1/125 was just way too slow I'm afraid, this was the best of the bunch - I nearly cried. 1/800 would have been perfect

Next time.

Thanks pal. Didn't know that this bird is not common in Shanghai.
So far I've never encountered any hovering as the bird will suddenly dive into the water for fish.
Nice attempt on your hovering shot.

[kengoh]

great shots. the 5th is outstanding.

Thanks Scott.

[kengoh]

These are very nice Ken. I like the last three the best. Wonderful colors this guy has. Much more colorful than the ones we have here in the states.
Welcome and keep posting your photos.

Thanks slowpez. Glad you like this bird.
I like the one in the states too.

[kengoh]

The wetlook after a failed attempt to get a fish.