Apologies for not posting this last few days, my cataract is having a big effect. I have been out most days though but with varying amounts of success. I have been trying to photograph a Kingfisher locally, I sat and watched one very close up for around 20 minutes on Monday, I didn't have a camera with me which is Murphy's law, because when I returned the next day- twice - and then again yesterday, it didn't show at all? Nearby I saw that there was a pair of over-wintering Stonechat that were using the top of a reed mace as a look out point. They catch small flying insects such as hoverflies. I went and sat very close to the reeds and covered myself with my cam netting and it was just seconds before they came back again. I used both of my cameras to get both in flight shots and portraits - very successfully I might add.
Here's the male, flying from the reed mace to grab a passing insect. I used the Lumix camera on pre-burst to freeze the birds wings in flight chichis something that really "floats my boat".
Amazingly the camera needs a shutter speed of at least 1/3500 sec to freeze the action. I am looking forward to another session today, the weather is going to be bright and sunny which is perfect.
This is the female. Both birds are in fresh plumage and as the winter progresses the plumage will become worn and expose much brighter underlying colour and the male will have a jet black head.
It was must easier to get good portraits. They are such beautiful birds.
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