[FUDGEY]

Ive only been photographing them for several months, but I hope I can be of some help through what I've learned from others and also some observations I have learnt myself in my short time. Firstly some good advice I have recieved is you have to be well hidden, be it a bag hide, cammo net or some form of hide. Important tip is once the bird is where you want it no sudden movement as it will spook the bird with out doubt. Through trial and error I have found they prefer a perch in open water and height is important. I've noticed that if a high perch is used (6 to 8ft) they prefer not to expend energy and once they dive they don't usually fly back up to it. A perch that's 3 to 4ft above the water is much prefered IMO. I also place a couple of perches 20 yards up and down stream from the target perch, but I place these in areas that are not good hunting areas eg fast running or deep water. These can act as a stopper if a bird is passing through just in case it misses your perch. This has worked several times for me. A birds shoots by my perch and lands on the outside one then has a look around & back tracks to my perch. I'm 100% sure these stoppers as I call them have gave me extra oppurtunities. I also like to place my perches in about 6 inches of water and make sure it is in an area that contains small fish. One last thing make sure you take into account what position the sun will be in relation to where your hide/perch will be when you attempt to photograph this fabulous bird. Do things right and you should be able to get a great oppurtunity with in a few hours. Good luck, it's the best buzz ever when your patience pays off.