Capturing Kingfisher - What, How, When and Where

Just sharing my experience on " capturing kingfisher " on a lovely perch, clear background and sweet light with food. It may not happen in one day but with this right approach or tip, it will be possible to get the picture you always wanted.

Below is the " 4W " (WHAT, HOW, WHEN and WHERE) which I applied for photographing Kingfisher.

What
1. Camouflage Tent ( Not necessary to be camouflage but must not be colorful or in white color )
2. Small chair ( For own comfort, because you might need half a day inside the camp )
3. Long Lens with Camera ( A focal length of 500mm is more that enough. In my situation, it is Canon 500mm + 1.4x )
4, Wire release for Camera ( To get a sharpner image and action shots )
5, Water and food ( Optional but I found it necessary. While waiting for the Kingfisher, I can enjoy my food and drink)

Camouflage Tent with Chair



Camera + 500mm + 1.4TC and cable release



How
1. Sun light direction, as show in the picture, prefer the light is from the back, so the bird's eyes will have the ' catch light ' without using flash (Refer to drawn orange color line)
2. Prefer 25 feet to 30 feet, this is base on 500mm + 1.4x. Don't go for too full a frame, may miss out some action shots. (Refer to drawn purple color line)
3. By placing the tripod same height as the perch to get an eye level shot.
4. Finding the background with a single color or without white spot or in bright color. In this case water has the reflection from mangrove trees in the early morning light. (Refer to drawn green color line or picture four)
5. Lovely perch is possible to setup, this case I use the perch as original as those that was already present. If you are setting the perch, the best choice is a branch that is not reflective or white color. (Refer to drawn yellow color line)
6. The Kingfisher (Refer to drawn yellow color line)

Illustration of the entire setup



Background



When
1. Best is one hour before sunrise, you have to hide before the the light comes up. ( It is also possible in late afternoon too ... )
2. I prefer low tide because there are more small fishes which the kingfishers enjoy. This is different as in the case of fishermen because high tide bring more larger fishes.

Where
Realised this is the most difficult part, because the lovely place you want might not be the place that Kingfishers prefer. In this situation, I made an observation of several locations where the Kingfishers perfer but decide to choose the location that is favourable to the me as well as the Kingfishers.

After having the "4W", the following will be the schedule: Plan > Do > Action and wait......

Here are the results from my experience, enjoy ....













by Nelson Khor

great sharing bro.


btw! you didn't show them the boots part. haha

What mean the "boots part"

how you lost your boots in the mud. hahaaa

These are a goood example of dedication.

You still can remember ... thanks my friend....

Remember before get this shots, have few time is fail and without single photo and also lost my boots in the mud..... because the mud is about 1 feet++ deep when I step in to the hide location and wait the bird, some more is early morning about 6am... still dark... no people can help me only I have to give up the boots and slowly walk back to the ground... it good experience for me. But when right this articles is just to share the good part... bad part will share during outing or talk....

never forget a good write-up that makes inspiration

thanks for the write-up. very informative

usually I bring along a parang.

last time used to carry Glock or HK USP, now no more lerr... ehehhehe

benten wrote: Thanks for the informative write up, Nelson. Good of you to share.

One thing I'm always concern about & I'm sure other birders are too is security. This is especially true when you are birding alone. How do you keep yourself & equipment safe?....even an al cheapo setup like mine cost 5k+. So what precaution can you take to avoid being robbed?

This always a doubt for me too... me keep one small "Parang" for just in case and also if the place not security I give up for alone......
Also if possible try to keep your car distance with you so you can on the car alarm system... but this will not always happen.

The best is keep a least two person

This is a great post Nelson. Thanks for sharing. Many of you guys are dead serious about getting that dream shot and work hard for it. Hats off to you.

jack2964 wrote:This is a great post Nelson. Thanks for sharing. Many of you guys are dead serious about getting that dream shot and work hard for it. Hats off to you.

But safety is still always #1

I wanna get that tent...where to get one?

mamuin wrote:I wanna get that tent...where to get one?

can get from Jason of Trifid Optic in Klang, Selangor. but expensive ler En. Muin... If I was not mistaken, Paul Wu told me the price is RM600

mamuin wrote:I wanna get that tent...where to get one?

I was browsing when I came across this site. Thinking of getting one myself.
BTW, the seller has some awesome bird images too.
here's the link:
http://superhide.multiply.com/

Go to Penang Hike Enterprise camera shop, they sell this, price should below RM180.. Just tell is Nelson friend...

Tel 0124825688

He can send to you too

Wow! RM600...that's super expensive...at least for me.

Thank for sharing. Pls to remember that when you sit inside the tent is like having a sauna bath too.

BENCYF wrote:Thank for sharing. Pls to remember that when you sit inside the tent is like having a sauna bath too.

no pain no gain.

Good write up Nelson,I read it a few times very rewarding,always the safetyside is the concern,we will be so engrosssed on our prised catch and anything can happen,but then if you stay at home many things can happen as well.So I think get out and try this.Thanks for sharing.

gsjeevi wrote:Good write up Nelson,I read it a few times very rewarding,always the safetyside is the concern,we will be so engrosssed on our prised catch and anything can happen,but then if you stay at home many things can happen as well.So I think get out and try this.Thanks for sharing.

Thanks... anyway, safety should come first.