pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

I have been desperately trying to get a shot of that elusive, skittish bird, the kingfisher. I have seen many marvelous shots of this interesting bird, but alas, I am not destined to be one who captures a shot. My last encounter a couple of weeks ago, the bird stayed so far away, I would have needed at least a 600mm lens to get a decent shot. I did the best I could trying to crop that little dot of a bird in the center, but a highly cropped shot of a small bird just doesn't fly (pun intended).

Today, I had the best chance ever of getting an actual wall hanger. I heard the unmistakeable cry of the kingfisher, quickly looked about and there was one flying at high rates of speed constantly changing direction. I tried to hone in with my trusty lens, but alas, the bird was quite elusive. The closest I got to focus are the first two shots that I am posting, but certainly not acceptable focus. The next two shots are shots that would have been quite interesting, but they are even more out of focus then the first two.

Finally, I got my dream shot. The bird actually began hovering as it spied some prey below. I pointed and started firing at 7 FPS, but I could clearly (unfortunately unclearly) see in my view finder that the bird was out of focus.

I WILL get a crisp, decent shot of one of these kingfishers some day. Now please do not aggravate the hell out of me by posting beautiful shots of kingfishers that you have captured! :mrgreen:

BTW, I didn't even attempt any cropping, etc. on the last two in that they were to hopeless to be salvaged.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

These are actually pretty darn good ! I have 600mm and I have -0- kingfisher shots sitting or flight ! But, like you say .......SOMEDAY

angler Loc: StHelens England

You did great Pedalmasher,super shots.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

:thumbup: :thumbup:

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Thanks IM, it is just one bird that has frustrated the heck out of me to capture a clear image. I think they are the ultimate challenge, but as you say.......SOMEDAY hopefully for both of us!

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Thanks Jim & HT, but I think the only thing in focus out of all four shots is the eye of the kingfisher in the top shot, but that's a start!! :)

motorman Loc: greenville nc

:thumbup:
Very hard to pin down the Kingfisher always on the otherside of pond and laughing at me as I try to catch the shot. I share your frustration.

Very nice shots

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

:thumbup: :thumbup: great shots of a hard subject

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Good job! These birds don't like to let anyone get close at all! Like the huge ravens that come to eat below my birdfeeder - very perceptive and if someone even peeks out the window they are off immediately.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I love the first one.

rick-o

Look, Maaaannnn... the first pic is a really good one..I guess you never noticed the sky BEHIND the 'fisher... so what if you have a really short depth of field? The in-focus eye looking down so intently...Its an action shot... content and composition are more important than perfect focus. Give yourself some darn credit, will ya???

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Good set indeed!

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Thanks motorman. I almost had this guy, but alas when I started firing noting that I was hot capturing focus as he hovered, I later realized that my Canon 100-400 was set for distant focusing - in this instance it should have been on the closer setting. :( I'll get one of those elusive suckers! :)

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Thanks, I think these guys attend classes on how to elude and frustrate photographers! I met another photographer in the park the other day when I was out riding my bike and he was desperately trying to get a shot of this guy - with negative results I might add! He was using the same lens that I typically carry - the Canon 100-400 L.

pedalmasher Loc: Seminole, FL

Steve, they seem to have a dedicated radar for photographers. Oh well, it will make it all the more enjoyable when I finally get the shot I am looking to get!