Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Kingfisher

One of the best places that I can almost guarantee seeing a Kingfisher (and it's not a particularly easy bird to pin down) is back at my Mum and Dad's in Loughton, Essex. I spent my childhood, youth and young adulthood here. I spent a lot of time on the Roding Valley Nature Reserve, but at that time it was usually spent playing football or riding a bike. Now when I go back to visit, I go on foot and seek out all the delights that nature has to show me. There is plenty to be seen, and knowing the site so well, I have an advantage in understanding what will be where.
There are several spots that I concentrate on for the Kingfishers, and at this time of year they are a bit more active. My first sighting was just a brief one as it called and then flew in front of me and into the sun. Not very helpful. The next was a whole lot better.
An early morning walk before disturbance by too many other people, and I caught sight of a red flash banking right towards the river. Having crept to a vantage point where I could see the bank, I put my binoculars up. Sat on a branch looking back at me was a cracking little bird. I think it was a juvenile.
I was able to watch for a good five minutes or so before the first dog walker of the day shouted 'Good morning' and scared it off. Great views all the same and at quite close quarters. One of my favourite birds.





Regurgitating a pellet.

32 comments:

  1. I love the Kingfishers! Cool bird and great series! Have a happy day!

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  2. grrrrr to those dog walkers, nice spot though and lovely photos (as always)

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  3. Oh wonderful, Adam! Such an awesome series before the little bird was scared off. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Those doggy walkers have a lot to answer for Adam. I get fed up of them disturbing birds, often birds which nest on the ground and are sensitive to disturbance. After all a dog is a predator.

    Nicely done with the pellet shot. Not many people know that Kingfishers regurgitate parts of their food.

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  5. What a great series of photos! I was taking photos of some bluebirds in a field the other day and had a guy deliberately let his dog off the leash to run through the birds (and my shot)! I can't figure some people out...

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  6. Great shots Adam..They have the coloring of an Eastern Bluebird..There the similarity ends..I would have thought them to be bigger..

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  7. I have never seen a pellet regurgitated before. You've always got a great out of the norm shot.

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  8. Wonderfull foto of kingfisher, greeting from Belgium

    http://louisette.eklablog.com

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  9. Kingfisher will be available in Sweden but I have never seen the incredibly cute little bird. Thanks for the nice pictures of the beautiful bird.

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  10. He's a beauty siting in the mossy branches. I usually just see black and white ones.

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  11. Wonderful sighting! Kingfishers are such interesting birds! You got some great pictures.

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  12. What amazing photos. I've only seen them as a flash of blue going past me.

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  13. Superb photos! I particularly like the snaps with the beak open - not entirely sure why the regurgitation took place, but that's okay.
    Good work, Adam.
    Thanks for visiting my site today.
    Have a Wonderful Day!
    Peace :)

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  14. Wow this bird is wonderful. Love his colorful head. You got some great shots. The "regurgitation" is icky but that a natural part of their life.

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  15. great shots! beautiful bird! I love kingfishers!

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  16. A lovely capture of this beautifully coloured Kingfisher.
    Well worth the early morning walk.

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  17. Oh I do think that you got some splendid snaps of the Kingfisher and so right, they are not easy to get either. We have the Belted Kingfishers here~

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  18. You have brilliant photos. This bird species is a tricky one. We have one here that just doesn't want to hang out for picture. Extremely shy birds!

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  19. The Kingfisher is also wonderful to see,.
    I think it's also one of the most beautiful birds in our country (Netherlands :-))
    You have to photograph the beautiful kingfisher know.

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  20. I love Kingfishers! He's a gorgeous bird.

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  21. I love Kingfishers! He's a gorgeous bird.

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  22. There are a few Kingfishers in Sweden but they are rare and I have never seen them. But I have seen some when I travel to other places. It is a gorgeous bird and your images are stunning :)

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  23. These guys are so pretty! I see one or two occasionally at the house (there's a river nearby) so they make me smile when I can see them out the window.

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  24. Très belle série pour cet oiseau à l'approche difficile ;-)
    Céline & Philippe

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  25. Fantastic photos of this beautiful bird! They're uncommon in Finland.

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  26. So pretty! I don't have trouble SEEING kingfishers (although ours look a little different). But I hardly ever get a picture. They will sit perfectly still until I get my camera focused and then whoosh. It doesn't matter which coast we are on either.

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  27. What a beautiful bird. Great series.

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