by Royal appointment

[pauln]

I give you............................the king of fishers

and an angry wagtail

[FUJI]

Stunning! Just .....Stunning!

FUJI

[pauln]

its taken me 2 years to find one and today I was treated with not just 1 but 2!!! im going back tomorrow afternoon to see if they're still around. im over the moon to see them

[Martyn]

Stunning, just stunning!

 

 

Edit; I realise I've just used Fuji's exact words in my post. But there just are no words..... it's stunning!

[pauln]

I honestly cant describe how happy I am,ok they're not the iconic fish in the mouth shot but even so im absolutely thrilled

[Brian]

I'd be thrilled too!

Beautifully shot. Can you remember what lens you had on?

[ChrisLumix]

Superb! Words fail me..

 

(BTW did you realise you posted the first picture twice? So good, they...)

[annie]

Wonderful 

[pauln]

I'd be thrilled too!

Beautifully shot. Can you remember what lens you had on?

Superb! Words fail me..

 

(BTW did you realise you posted the first picture twice? So good, they...)

I was using the canon 100-400L and yes I did realise after I'd posted but didn't know how to remove it lol

[Paul]

You did really really well to get so close. Beware of the law when photographing kingfishers though (not that anyone from the law or the RSPB is likely to catch you) but :

 

"As a fairly rare, easily disturbed bird, the kingfisher is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

It is an offence to take, injure or kill a kingfisher or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young. It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season. Violation of the law can attract fines up to £5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to six months."

 

 

I know of one person who was almost prosecuted because he got too close to a nesting pair...

 

Paul.

[pauln]

This one is a juvenile which I took at the roadside, it was in an area where the nest site is easily 1000 yards away on the other side of the reservoir. I could apply for a licence to photograph at the nest site through English nature but there's no way to get near it as the foot path is locked due to work being done to expand the reservoir but you are right you can be prosecuted for disturbance, taking and destruction of nest sites

[KateW]

Fantastic!

[pauln]

here's another pic

[Leon]

I have a few kingfisher shots but a million miles away from the quality of these.... good work!!

[pauln]

I have a few kingfisher shots but a million miles away from the quality of these.... good work!!

right place, right time and a shed load of luck that's all it is mate

[Kobione]

How many more 'stunnings' can you stand Paul?? That's all I can think of, because they are!!!!! STUNNING!!!

 

Thanks for sharing these - something we don't get to see

[pauln]

How many more 'stunnings' can you stand Paul?? That's all I can think of, because they are!!!!! STUNNING!!!

 

Thanks for sharing these - something we don't get to see

well obviously compliments are welcomed lol but in all seriousness these little birds are "stunning" they absolutely fascinate me and your right stunning is the only word I can think of when I see a kingfisher. Now I just need to get some better pics :)

[GreenKing]

Beautiful shots, Paul. I admire your patience.

[KateW]

That last shot is a corker! Love the colours and the sheen.