The Qingfisher Quest

**baro-nite** · 01-31-2013, 05:53 AM

Great shots of that Ringed Qingfisher, Larry -- I'd love to see one but would have to travel for the privilege. Pity about the powerlines but with these birds you get what you get!

goubejp · 01-31-2013, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by baro-nite

Ooh, triply jealous! A stunningly colorful species of Kingfisher, stupendous shots using the full DSLR rig (I assume), and you have an FA* 600! Have you tried it on the Q yet?

Not yet, the original Q adaptator is not available in France...

BTW it is the european kingfisher, it is the only kingfisher that lives here. Technically I had a hard time since this guy comes always at sunshine, I was obliged to shoot at 1/60 for the second shot in contra light...

stormtech · 01-31-2013, 11:17 AM

This is a great thread baro-nite! I've vented my frustrations numerous times over different threads in the past couple years - now I can post my story here and not feel too much like I am whining......

I have become obsessed with capturing our elusive Kingfishers - to the point on spending a lot of money on different long lenses and support systems. Then came the Q.......but at the time of year when I can't be out there shooting all day. I am geared up now and ready for this coming spring - I will get him - I will......

I do all my shooting at home here in the boonies. My property is situated along a small river with tons of wildlife both in and out of the water. My primary shooting position is from our pavilion which is located at the river bank side. This pic shows the proximity of the pavilion from my house:

As you can see, my house is also quite near the river. In the warmer months, I can hear those Qingfinsers down at the river chattering away all day. But of course, when I am at the pavilion, they stay on the opposite back of the river - just far enough to stay out of reach of my FA*300 for a good shot. Here are a couple shots to give you an idea of the distance from the pavilion to the opposite bank of the river:

So far, this is the best I've been able to get - showing the uncropped image from my FA*300 and a cropped version:

So now over this winter I have armed myself with a Q and adapter, and have been practicing shooting from inside with it. I really think my resulting 1650mm combination will do it.

An obsession now a Qobsession for that elusive Qingfisher! I look at this rig I've compiled just for that damn bird - I should have my head examined.....

**crewl1** · 01-31-2013, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by stormtech

An obsession now a Qobsession for that elusive Qingfisher! I look at this rig I've compiled just for that damn bird - I should have my head examined.....

I think you are ready, looking forward to the Qingfisher Qaptures. Not to start anything, but your Qontraption possibly could be assisted with a Red Dot.

How much can you get for one of those bears?

**baro-nite** · 01-31-2013, 11:47 AM

What a lovely setting you have there, Stan! And some good perches across the river. With the Q in hand I'd say your prospects are excellent!

MarinatedHerring · 01-31-2013, 02:35 PM

These are some of the best bird photos I've seen on the forums! Thanks for the inspiration. I don't see Kingfishers around my area but I'll keep an eye out.

**TER-OR** · 02-18-2013, 08:59 PM

A somewhat closer shot, of course when we disturbed him he was only about 60 feet away, but we never saw him until he flew off. Still, got a bit closer later in the walk...behind some foliage, but still not too bad.

**baro-nite** · 02-19-2013, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by TER-OR

behind some foliage, but still not too bad.

Good record shot at any rate. Is this with the 55-300?

hnikesch · 02-19-2013, 10:21 AM

Nice place Stan, good luck with the quest

Hans

stormtech · 02-19-2013, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by hnikesch

Nice place Stan, good luck with the quest

Hans

Thanks Hans! Not only the Kingfishers, but as you can imagine, we have lost of other wildlife in and along the river. I am so looking forward to this upcoming warm season armed with the Q!

robtcorl · 02-19-2013, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by stormtech

Thanks Hans! Not only the Kingfishers, but as you can imagine, we have lost of other wildlife in and along the river. I am so looking forward to this upcoming warm season armed with the Q!

Stan,
Better pick up some Kingfisher beer to celebrate conQuering the Qingfisher.

stormtech · 02-19-2013, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by robtcorl

Stan,
Better pick up some Kingfisher beer to celebrate conQuering the Qingfisher.

Oh man, that is just awesome Bob - like I already don't think enough about these critters without their beer!

**crewl1** · 02-19-2013, 11:48 AM

Is there a Kingfisher pop? That's more my speed

robtcorl · 02-19-2013, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Is there a Kingfisher pop? That's more my speed

Here ya go!

**crewl1** · 02-19-2013, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by robtcorl

Here ya go!

Awesome - where can I order some? I want to have it available to pop the cork when I finally bag a Qingfisher

01-31-2013, 11:17 AM	#18
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	This is a great thread baro-nite! I've vented my frustrations numerous times over different threads in the past couple years - now I can post my story here and not feel too much like I am whining...... I have become obsessed with capturing our elusive Kingfishers - to the point on spending a lot of money on different long lenses and support systems. Then came the Q.......but at the time of year when I can't be out there shooting all day. I am geared up now and ready for this coming spring - I will get him - I will...... I do all my shooting at home here in the boonies. My property is situated along a small river with tons of wildlife both in and out of the water. My primary shooting position is from our pavilion which is located at the river bank side. This pic shows the proximity of the pavilion from my house: As you can see, my house is also quite near the river. In the warmer months, I can hear those Qingfinsers down at the river chattering away all day. But of course, when I am at the pavilion, they stay on the opposite back of the river - just far enough to stay out of reach of my FA300 for a good shot. Here are a couple shots to give you an idea of the distance from the pavilion to the opposite bank of the river: So far, this is the best I've been able to get - showing the uncropped image from my FA300 and a cropped version: So now over this winter I have armed myself with a Q and adapter, and have been practicing shooting from inside with it. I really think my resulting 1650mm combination will do it. An obsession now a Qobsession for that elusive Qingfisher! I look at this rig I've compiled just for that damn bird - I should have my head examined..... Last edited by photolady95; 04-17-2016 at 02:34 AM.

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01-31-2013, 05:53 AM	#16
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295 Original Poster	Great shots of that Ringed Qingfisher, Larry -- I'd love to see one but would have to travel for the privilege. Pity about the powerlines but with these birds you get what you get!

01-31-2013, 09:21 AM	#17
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	Originally posted by baro-nite Ooh, triply jealous! A stunningly colorful species of Kingfisher, stupendous shots using the full DSLR rig (I assume), and you have an FA* 600! Have you tried it on the Q yet? Not yet, the original Q adaptator is not available in France... BTW it is the european kingfisher, it is the only kingfisher that lives here. Technically I had a hard time since this guy comes always at sunshine, I was obliged to shoot at 1/60 for the second shot in contra light...

01-31-2013, 11:40 AM	#19
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by stormtech An obsession now a Qobsession for that elusive Qingfisher! I look at this rig I've compiled just for that damn bird - I should have my head examined..... I think you are ready, looking forward to the Qingfisher Qaptures. Not to start anything, but your Qontraption possibly could be assisted with a Red Dot. How much can you get for one of those bears?

01-31-2013, 11:47 AM	#20
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295 Original Poster	What a lovely setting you have there, Stan! And some good perches across the river. With the Q in hand I'd say your prospects are excellent!

01-31-2013, 02:35 PM	#21
MarinatedHerring Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 118	These are some of the best bird photos I've seen on the forums! Thanks for the inspiration. I don't see Kingfishers around my area but I'll keep an eye out.

02-18-2013, 08:59 PM	#22
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	A somewhat closer shot, of course when we disturbed him he was only about 60 feet away, but we never saw him until he flew off. Still, got a bit closer later in the walk...behind some foliage, but still not too bad.

02-19-2013, 07:48 AM	#23
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295 Original Poster	Originally posted by TER-OR behind some foliage, but still not too bad. Good record shot at any rate. Is this with the 55-300?

02-19-2013, 10:21 AM	#24
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	Nice place Stan, good luck with the quest Hans

02-19-2013, 10:51 AM	#25
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by hnikesch Nice place Stan, good luck with the quest Hans Thanks Hans! Not only the Kingfishers, but as you can imagine, we have lost of other wildlife in and along the river. I am so looking forward to this upcoming warm season armed with the Q!

02-19-2013, 11:21 AM	#26
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	Originally posted by stormtech Thanks Hans! Not only the Kingfishers, but as you can imagine, we have lost of other wildlife in and along the river. I am so looking forward to this upcoming warm season armed with the Q! Stan, Better pick up some Kingfisher beer to celebrate conQuering the Qingfisher.

02-19-2013, 11:30 AM	#27
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by robtcorl Stan, Better pick up some Kingfisher beer to celebrate conQuering the Qingfisher. Oh man, that is just awesome Bob - like I already don't think enough about these critters without their beer!

02-19-2013, 11:48 AM	#28
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Is there a Kingfisher pop? That's more my speed

02-19-2013, 11:58 AM	#29
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	Originally posted by crewl1 Is there a Kingfisher pop? That's more my speed Here ya go!

02-19-2013, 12:06 PM	#30
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by robtcorl Here ya go! Awesome - where can I order some? I want to have it available to pop the cork when I finally bag a Qingfisher