The Sacred Kingfisher on a dive series

nzmacro · Mar 27, 2014

Spent two years concentrating on the Sacred kingfisher and possibly the best two years I've ever spent. They now allow me to get really close and not worry about it.

A small dive sequence with one of them after a small crab, really their staple diet at the inlet.

Sony NEX-7, Canon FD 500mm F/4.5L, 1/2500, ISO 200 @F/4.5

All the best folks.

Danny.

DLeeT · Mar 27, 2014

Finally some Kingfishers! :hail: And your usual great stuff. Really like the take-off sequence. Lee

For others viewing: note the lens -- manual focus.

Overread · Mar 27, 2014

Great result - love the last shot!

Out of interest have you thought about trying for a full diving shot? Typically setting up a small fish-tank on the waters edge so that you can see and photograph the whole dive? You can also use the natural waters ,but that is far more hit and miss (no control over where the bird strikes and not only do you need a waterproof camera, but many places natural water is full of debries making range and clarity an issue

sm4him · Mar 27, 2014

That whole sequence is just OUTSTANDING. Kingfishers are one of my nemesis birds; I see them everywhere, and they mock me, because they know they are too fast for me.

We only have the belted Kingfisher around here. I would love to see these beautifully-colored Kingfishers in real life sometime.

pjaye · Mar 27, 2014

Manual focus? :hail:

Gorgeous pictures.

baturn · Mar 27, 2014

all amazing shots! And the last one is just stupendous. That's good by the way.

tirediron · Mar 27, 2014

Outstanding!

jamesparker1250 · Mar 27, 2014

All I can say is WOW:thumbup:

nzmacro · Mar 27, 2014

Overread said:
Great result - love the last shot!

Out of interest have you thought about trying for a full diving shot? Typically setting up a small fish-tank on the waters edge so that you can see and photograph the whole dive? You can also use the natural waters ,but that is far more hit and miss (no control over where the bird strikes and not only do you need a waterproof camera, but many places natural water is full of debries making range and clarity an issue

A huge thanks folks, a few more will be coming with the KF, that I can promise

Just off today to cover the dead opposite, power boat racing (gulp), not exactly my cup of coffee, but still enjoyable.

Ahhhh those shots from the fish tanks I think you mean. My mind thought about it for a split second when I first saw those shots appear on the net and it would be really easy with how close I can get to these KF and how use to me they are. The problem is that word "easy". I live for the challenge and don't really go for set ups. I don't want to be able to predict anything and its also why I still use MF lenses. Seen the shots from those set ups and they are totally magic, superb in fact !!. Just my head wouldn't let me do it, however, a friend of mine I shoot with doesn't have a problem with it. Stay tuned

All the best and thanks again folks, its appreciated. I'll catch up when I get back in a few days.

Danny.