Kingfisher behaviour

Ollie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 04:39 PM

Hi all
Today I was priveleged to witness a pair of Kingfishers mating. Unfortunately the photographs I took of this event were not good enough for the gallery as the distance from them was to great, even for the Bigma. However I did have excellent views through my binoculars as they mated a second time about half an hour later.
I have posted the best one below if anyone is interested in looking but the quality is not very good. They were taken around 6 am in Lincolnshire today.
Roger

matt_xyz · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 04:42 PM

Well done Roger, I'm in awe of any Kingfisher shots and I'd say this is worth a place in the gallery. It's quite a privilege to witness kingfishers mating, I bet not many others have seen this. I'm normally chuffed just to see a blue flash along a riverbank.

Matt

Lincs Yellowbelly · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 05:03 PM

Excellent shot Ollie

I had a Kingfisher try to land on my Rod, only to figure out something was wrong and fly into it

Mark43 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 05:04 PM

Nice photo...crop it a bit more,sharpen it up and stick it in the gallery.

Don't suppose it's an event that many have seen before.

Alan · #5 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 05:17 PM

Well done Roger. You did well getting any photo of this type of behaviour. It's usually only hide work that gives you the remotest chance of such pics. I think it's a case of valuing the experience, as it's certainly more than most of us will get

canonman · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 05:48 PM

Hi
Well done nice picture, could crop a little bit.
You were lucky being in the right place for this shot.
Many people have never seen a Kingfisher on it's own, never mind mating.
I think it good enough for the Gallery
Mick

John · #7 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 06:04 PM

I agree that the subject matter deserves a place in the gallery. If you can do a bit more work on the photo better still but as others have said, not an event witnessed by many, even less that have photographed it.

John

glsammy · #8 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 06:32 PM

Roger, I insist it goes in the Gallery! Do the best you can with it..You lucky so and so!

Chalk Downlanders · #9 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 06:45 PM

A very rare treat. I have only seen a few before. WD on the piccy

Ollie · #10 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 06:46 PM

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone. I have done my best with the photo and uploaded it to the gallery
Roger.

Gill Catton · #11 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 07:40 PM

I think it's a lovely photo, it might not be a close up or sharp but it's got a warm romantic glow to it.... The light obviously got the birds in the mood!!!

Ollie · #12 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I think it's a lovely photo, it might not be a close up or sharp but it's got a warm romantic glow to it.... The light obviously got the birds in the mood!!!

Thanks Gill it was early morning before 6am and there was a very slight haze which didn't help matters. Certainly fired me up for the rest of the day anyway.
Roger

gordonm · #13 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 04:10 PM

Hi great photo, like everyone else I wish I'd been there but whilst you've got the attention of the kingfisher lovers can I ask a question.
Do they move in the spring we have a local pair that only seem to be around in the winter but disappear each spring only to return in the autumn.

Ollie · #14 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordonm

Hi great photo, like everyone else I wish I'd been there but whilst you've got the attention of the kingfisher lovers can I ask a question.
Do they move in the spring we have a local pair that only seem to be around in the winter but disappear each spring only to return in the autumn.

Hello Gordon, and firstly if it hasn't already been said a warm welcome to WAB. I'm no Kingfisher expert but I do believe they sometimes move into coastal areas, estuaries etc during the winter months where the temperatures are usually a degree or so warmer. So if you live in a coastal area this is perhaps why you see them during the winter.
The time you do not see them obviously coincides with the breeding period so one would assume they move elswhere to breed.
Roger

gordonm · #15 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie

Hello Gordon, and firstly if it hasn't already been said a warm welcome to WAB. I'm no Kingfisher expert but I do believe they sometimes move into coastal areas, estuaries etc during the winter months where the temperatures are usually a degree or so warmer. So if you live in a coastal area this is perhaps why you see them during the winter.
The time you do not see them obviously coincides with the breeding period so one would assume they move elswhere to breed.
Roger

Thanks Ollie yes we do live close to the coast in North Lincolnshire so that probably explains it.