Last Saturday when I walked along the newly dredged brook, I had been pleased with the outcome and even more pleased when I saw a couple of Kingfishers engaged in a territorial spat nearby. This excited me as it was just a few weeks short of an entire year since I had last photographed a Kingfisher on the brook. I had paid numerous visits since July, it would be hard to count the hours and hardly seen even a sign of a bird. Kingfishers are extremely territorial and once a bird is in residence they defend their territory with their life. I rebuilt the hide opposite the perch that I had placed there way back in July and started the stake out. I spent two hours on Sunday morning and the same later in the day at dusk...... but no Kingfisher. Then on Thursday after a visit every day since, a total of 12 hours or so, and an hour in to this session, at last, there she was. I don't know why, perhaps it was the presence of droppings underneath the perch, I just felt that it was about to happen. It was now 6.15, and I had literally just said to myself, "I can't believe I am not going to get one tonight"... and suddenly without any sign or hint, there was a Kingfisher, just opposite me and on the perch that had been in situation for 3 months. I had thought this moment through, and in my dreams I had imagined the euphoria, but oddly, I was matter of fact and began to snap away. It was a baby female and she had a Stickleback which she smashed against the solid perch, the reason she was there. I had wondered what the newcomer would be like, male or female? Strangely, it was like meeting someone new and I hope I will get really acquainted with her. I am sure I will. She is not the brightest, nor prettiest little Kingfisher I have seen but look at the life in that bright eye. The wet feathers are where she has been in and out of the water to fish and bathe.
The light was dim and obviously that presents problems for photographs. I managed to get the camera pointed at her and she didn't flinch even though she was just opposite on the narrow stream. Knowing Kingfishers as I do, after 3 years of study and 100 plus close encounters, I knew exactly what she would do next.So after swallowing her Stickleback she preened and scratched, and then as quickly as she had arrived, she left. I looked down stream just a few yards and I could see her still. She was diving in and out to bathe and with a 200mm lens I managed to get some shots of her. She then flew back up to the perch opposite and I watched for 5 minutes or so before she left again. She had the typical orange beak of a female and the smokey, blackened red feet proved her immaturity.
Here are a couple of shots of the hide and perch just to give an idea of the set up for those interested. It doesn't show the hide properly but gives an impression of the size and distance from the perch.
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