Time for a visit to Lackford Lakes to see how the Kingfishers are getting on now that the breeding season has finished. Always best to start in Bernard's Hide as it has an array of nearby trees and branches for the Kingfishers to perch on and the light is good in the morning. While we were waiting for the action to begin, time to grab a few shots of the ducks on the pond like this male Gadwall with its stunning vermiculation and Teal in eclipse plumage, so either male or female.
Then the action started with the arrival of the first Kingfisher in an adjacent Sallow.
After a quick recce to make sure the site was safe it flew to one of the strategically placed branches to commence fishing.
However, it wasn't fishing for fish, but was catching a number of water boatmen.
The Kingfisher returned a number of times allowing a number of close-up shots to be taken. Just look at that turquoise blue down the back, which is the flash of electric blue as they fly down the river.
During early afternoon the pool in front of Bernard's Hide moves into shade, so time to re-locate to Paul's Hide just down the path. Here the aspect is more open and therefore in full sunlight, but there are no nearby perches for the Kingfishers. However, for some reason they like to hover right in front of the hide allowing some great opportunities for some action shots. The area in front of the hide also attracts Hobbys hunting for dragonflies.
And at that point the female Kingfisher arrived to start hunting fish from the hover at a reasonably close range.
And then it was the turn of the male which luckily performed against a darker background to show off its colours.
Wow, what a fantastic day. Now to go home and spend the next three days going through the several hundred photos, many of which are of a reasonable quality which makes down-selection more difficult. Still, mustn't grumble.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.