Chuffed to bits

[FUDGEY]

Well after sitting in a bag hide for 15 hours on different days a few weeks ago I decided to give up trying to photograph a Kingdisher for this year. Today I had a couple of spare hours so I decided to go to a different part of the stream which is quite close to the road. I wasn't targetting the Kingfisher, just sitting in ferns on a bend of the stream just hoping that I might get a photo of A Heron, Goosander, Grey Wagtail or something like that. Anyhow with in 5 mins a kingfisher appeared and I watched it for almost an hour diving in and flying from perch to perch. I didn't even have my bag hide over me, just on my lap & at one point it came about 8 ft from me & dived & caught a fish. I had just put my camera down before this happened (typical) but I did get a couple of decent shots, not perfect, but I was shhoting hand held as I didn't think it was worth taking my tripod. I'll not make that mistake again. At least now I have found which part of the stream is one of its face hunting spots so next time I'll be more prepared & get some really good pics. Jeff, watch your back lol definatly in the top 3 best experiences involving nature I've ever had, what a thrill. I'll put a pic on when I'm back online in a few weeks.

[tameblackbirds]

sounds fantastic always the way isn't it I was walking along the canal in the snow, earlier this year. There is a large pond area, I had heard KF's visit as the river Tame runs close by. Not looking for Kf it suddenly lands about two foot in front of me on a branch, it looked at me as if to say where did you come from, exactly what I was thinking and then it was gone. A stunning bird that I never thought I would ever get close to. Didn't even have chance to lift my camera.