24 photos

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) Hide 2024 blog#4:
Activity at the hide is beginning to peak now, plenty to photograph including some brief interaction between Kingfishers. We are not set up for dive shots (as per website) but it’s possible to get images of them in the river as I often do, either catching fish or simply jumping in and out during preening.
I’m not suggesting it’s easy but with luck, correct camera settings and quick reactions it’s possible. And I think much more satisfying when you nail the shots. Mind you I have managed to capture some excellent shots of empty river over the years! From images I was shown a couple of clients did just this. Well done Geoff and Pete.

The Torpedo: Kingfishers sometimes knock each other off perches by literally flying into each other(see image in blog). The perched bird often doesn’t realise the threat until the last second as you can see. If the approaching bird grabs the other successfully, they can often end up fighting in the water.
This is usually very brief, with one bird giving up quickly and making good its escape. However, I have witnessed this last over several hours before, especially if the Kingfishers are determined and of similar size and strength, only stopping occasionally to rest. I have noticed over the years and from the diary I keep that the physical interaction often starts to increase as the juveniles grow to a similar size and become increasingly territorial. She got knocked of her perch but used her beak to pull herself back onto it!

Thanks to everyone who has behaved appropriately in the hide and followed the morning briefing and suggested camera settings I give everyone, resulting in no disturbance and lots of visits. Ethical wildlife photography is a big part of what we are all about. The birds always come first not the photography.

Alison and I have already received some lovely reviews from customers using the hide. We are both feeling tired (lots of 4.30 am alarms) and my body is hurting a bit, right leg is knackered as lots of you know but I’m having issues with my left heel now which has been making walking interesting! Still the look on peoples faces when they see a Kingfisher perched often for the first time, is priceless so worth it.
https://www.exmoorphotographycourse.co.uk/reviews
Juvenile Kingfishers: Female has smaller orange bib on lower beak, often referred to as its lipstick and muddy orange/black feet.
Male has black beak and muddy orange/black feet. Both young juveniles have white tips on their beaks.
It can be very easy to think your looking at a juvenile female when it may be a juvenile male, the ‘orange beak’ is often a reflection in bright light.

Enjoy
Jack
Exmoor Photography Ltd
We still have a couple of hide days available August Only.
https://www.exmoorphotographycourse.co.uk/kingfisher-special
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