Great location. They're like mini Stuka dive bombers when they go in for a fish. I sometimes take along a pocket radio with earphones to break up the monotony of waiting around in a hide between showings.

@RichardBirchett

7 ай бұрын

Yeah, they really are like planes dive bombing! Not a bad idea although I like listening to nature and the call of the kingy on the way. Thanks for watching 👍

@blutey

7 ай бұрын

Thanks. Great photos too! @@RichardBirchett

@RichardBirchett

7 ай бұрын

@blutey thanks very much 👍

I went to a commercial hide a couple of years ago which used baiting, and although I got my best kingfisher shots, I really didn't feel comfortable. There's a couple of places locally that I have regularly seen them, both on public ground, it's much harder to get good shots, but ultimately far more satisfying.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, great to hear your experiences in the matter, I’d feel the same and I felt similar when I photographed Sea Eagles on Mull, paid baited boat trip! I really just wanted to see them up close as it’s always been a dream of mine! The photos were easy and they’ve been done thousands of times! I’ve removed them from sale and from my website as the method to achieve them wasn’t satisfying for me and I felt bad! Won’t be doing it again. Although they do good work for the Eagles, I wouldn’t go again. Like you say much more satisfying when it’s harder to achieve. Cheers Rich 👍

Awesome! I remember when I first started wildlife photography, I would spend 4-6 hours regularly in a hide, in the winter, just to get some shots of a kingfisher. I still get that buzz now. Thanks mate 👍🏻

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Cheers my friend, I don't think I could possibly get bored of capturing these amazing birds! I think I'm going to be spending lots more time with them this autumn and winter. Cheers Rich👍

Really enjoyed the video Richard 👍 and its good to see a Kingfisher video that does not do tanking/baiting which I believe is totally unethical and its certainly also not real Wildlife Photography. Its a shame so many people use paid hides where they tank/bait just for the sake of a photograph 😪

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for watching. Although it's just my opinion and people are free to do what they choose I just think for me it just feels wrong! The paid hide thing is quite common with baiting but there are many out there that do not do it so they aren't all bad. Cheers Rich👍

Richard+R3+Kingfisher+wonder environment , absolute pleasure to watch and enjoy with a cup of hot coffee this Saturday morning. Thank you.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, and I love the way you've commented it made me smile! So nice to hear from you and that you'll be watching it from far away! Cheers Rich 👍

@chosenbydesign9007

Жыл бұрын

@@RichardBirchett my son went to school a few years ago over the summer in Brighton, England. He came back with such wonderful stories ... and it still continues. Thank you.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

@@chosenbydesign9007 that’s a lovely story to hear and that it’s still talked about 👍

Beautiful footage and pictures of the kingfishers! I totally agree when you say that the thrill of photographing them, or any wild animal or bird, is always there and it never goes away :)

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, it’s nice that you know what I’m referring to. It’s always been with me and will not leave I am pretty sure😂👍! A great interest, addiction, hobby to have. Cheers Rich 😀

Another great video Richard so much amazing wildlife all on your doorstep keep posting

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Steve, very lucky to have so much around us! All the best R 👍

Great video Richard, awesome set of images well worth the patience.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Harrison, it was such an enjoyable few days photography. Cheers R 👍

Brilliant so lucky to have access to a private set up like that 👍👍👍

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, yes it’s a privilege to be able to use it whenever I like and put hides and posts up. Been quiet on the kingy front over the last few months but have seen them around the ponds again this week so pleased! Cheers Rich

@tintin69rr

Жыл бұрын

@@RichardBirchett nice one looking forward to more videos

Fantastic. Thank you Richard. Totally agree with you about baiting. Am liking the look of the hide. It looks good for head room. I am 6’4 and definitely feeling it after a couple of hours in my present hide. Thanks again. All the best. 👍📷😎

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob, nice to hear people are in agreement! Although I'd like to say many Kingfisher hides have strict ethics and are very responsible, it's just a few that do it! And it's up to them, each to their own! Nice to know you got the shot without cheating! The hides are awesome and are like a third arm when doing this type of work. Cheers Rich 👍

Brilliant; one of my favourite birds. Thanks for the technical details; I appreciate how difficult it is to get the dive shot at the surface of the water. Thanks again.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon, really glad you found it useful. It's tricky photography but I love the challenge that it presents, lol.. Cheers R

Love it … you are super blessed to have access to such a wonderful spot …. I’d give my hind teeth to be able to have a private wee spot like yours !!!!

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Nick, yeah I am really lucky, We've just been making two man made banks in hope that the Kingfishers breed there this year, plus some more additional deeper pools and more posts. Still lots to do but it's just a pleasure to be able help the birds have a better habitat, plus the banks will be mink and stoat proof. Hopefully more from the Kingfishers very soon, all the best Rich 👍

Brilliant location and images Richard,thanks for sharing 👍

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure Alan, thanks very much for watching. R 👍

Amazing photos. Just amazing.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much 😀👍

Very envious, love kingfishers. Amazing images thank you for sharing.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure thanks very much for watching. Cheers R👍

Cracking blog mate, well done with the shots you got, beautiful images. Love the video with the reeds in the background moving nice footage. Look forward to your Kingfisher stories thorough the colder months...👏👏😁

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Keith, what a cracking subject they are! I really liked the background to the image, nice bit of colour & zero detail! Lots more coming from the lake kingfishers very soon👍

Stunning pictures of the kingfisher Richard and a lovely location.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Mark, very lucky to have it so close and to have the access. Cheers R

Hi Richard, lovely stills and footage. Kingfishers are one of my favorite birds. love photographing them. All the best, Steve.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve, thanks for watching. They really are such an amazing bird to watch and photograph! The Kingfisher bug is well and truly got me now, lol. See a few of your vids too. Cheers R 👍

Hi Richard great to see you back at the lake, which is looking fantastic for wildlife and being able to leave your hide set up is a bonus, I agree with you to get the shots of wildlife with out having to bait them is more natural for me to, you have got the set up spot on out standing photos, the video footage was truly stunning I didn’t want this video to end just remarkable well done Richard for producing a fantastic video thank you for sharing it with us. Martyn

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Awesome Martyn, chuffed to bits that you enjoyed it so much! I had to cut quite a bit out as it was getting a bit long, lol... I do have issues with certain types of baited photography sites but like I've said before many people do have strict ethics on baiting subjects so not all bad! I've got so much video footage and it's such a lot of space on the hard drive, lol... Still a worthy storage subject. Thanks again Rich 👍

Hi Richard ! Great video , a lot of positive emotions !!! Beautiful photos !!!

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Evgeny, can’t beat a kingfisher to brighten your day. Cheers Rich 👍

Great video Richard 🙂, keep up the good work m8.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks mate, such a great subject and addictive 😂👍

Brilliant video again Richard, must admit i have a soft spot for kingfishers, My Lagopus turned up last week looks a cracking bit of kit i can't wait to use it!!

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy, amazing birds and the colours are so amazing! Best of luck with the hide its such a great bit of kit. Cheers R 👍

Brilliant Richard, those diving shots at the end were stunning. That is a challenge I still have to get some decent diving shots. Well done mate and look forward to more. Cheers Keith

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Keith, it was a lot of fun trying to capture the action and when I did get a few in the bag I was chuffed:-) be doing some more for sure. Thanks again R 👍

Great when it all comes together! Fantastic captures love the diving captures truly stunning photography 👏🏻 !! But totally get your excitement when you get those special times with wildlife & they don’t even know your there !! I even find I’m on edge when I watch some of your KZread post just begging you to get the shots!! Brilliant post & a brilliant post for the king fisher !👍👍cheers from 🦌OH 🦌

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Craig, really do enjoy your comments as it does make a huge difference when you are out filming and then editing at home when people give such great feedback. So lucky with the shots and gives me more focus to get some even better ones this coming Autumn and Winter! Cheers Rich 👍

Looks absolutely idyllic, great video and stills Richard

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much John, an addictive bird for sure, lol... Lots more to come from the lake. Cheers R 👍

Great vlog fo a stunning bird

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it mate, plenty more on these to come I think 👍

I just love how they ‘Bob’. Fantastic footage and shots. Your right, they are the most spectacular birds and we are lucky to see them in our village.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Gill, they really are magical birds and so far I’ve seen 4 individuals visiting so very lucky! Looking for territories I’d expect, it’s a top spot. Cheers 👍

Great little film Richard, what a fantastic location. So much potential for future projects. Well said about the tank shots!! Couldn't agree more, not real wildlife photography in my book. The skill is in getting out there, finding your subject and putting some serious hours in which you did here. Well done and looking forward to the next one. All the best, Si 👊🏼👍🏼

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks mate, they are just great subjects aren’t they. Yep, can’t be doing the tank thing it’s just not right in my book! Still each to their own I guess. Had a few interesting comments which I’ve removed, lol. The usual stuff😂😂! I’ll tell you next time we chat👍

Lovely to see, some young birds there too. I dread to think how many hours I've spent waiting on Kingfishers but when they arrive, it's all worth it. You've nailed the diving/inflight shots.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dale, I’d expect many people have spent days and days waiting! But when the flash of cobalt blue arrives it’s all worth it! So far had 2 males, 1 sub adult and I did spot a female just the other day! Kingfisher-tastic😀👍

Awesome stuff mate

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Dean, top subject👍

Superb video Richard thanks for taking the time to do your youtube videos I really enjoy watching them even if I don't leave a comment much. I know the kingfisher bug well and fortunately it lasts forever, you never lose that wonderful exciting feeling when one lands in front of you to watch and photograph :) ...they are so quick when diving though, I spent a long time trying to track and catch the moment as one touched down with a fish on the perch with wings spread out, and finally one day I managed it few years ago when I pre-focused on the perch and waited for the splash sound of its dive then started taking photos of the perch as the kingfisher returned with the fish which worked for me to capture that shot, absolutley enjoyed the time spent waiting for kingfishers and never get tired of watching them, lovely birds. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots from this wonderful location you have, so best of luck with them returning regularly, all the best.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much mate, I really appreciate you leaving a comment even if it's a thumbs up, lol.. the algorithm's work much better when comments are left but I don't always expect people to comment! That's pretty much how I achieved the shots, with a bit of tweaking here and there! They are so addictive but it's a bird I certainly won't get bored of photographing, lol.... Lots more shots to get especially the stun the fish shot and that classic tip of bill touching the water! Still I love the challenge wildlife photography brings. All the best and thanks again for watching. Cheers Rich👍

Awsome Richard them last two shots are just 👌📸

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Andy, bit of trial and error but lovely when you check the screen and it looks really good! More to come very soon. All the best Rich 😀

Fantastic shots Richard you are certainly blessed with your location mate but, but you certainly deserve it with the work you put in. Insanely jealous is putting it mildly but, enjoy the vids immensely. Cheers 👍

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Graeme, it’s a top spot for sure and I do feel extremely lucky to have it so close to me. Thanks for saying mate👍💪🏻

Those shots at the end of the film were phenomenal, the R3 is some machine. Kingfisher's have to be my favorite subject to photograph, I love how the sunlight changes the blue to different shades.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot, it was such a cracking few sessions and I can’t wait to head back over for the changing seasons. The colour change is called ‘structural colouration’ and is fantastic thing to see in the animal kingdom! Amazing birds and an obsession starting to grow😂👍. Cheers R

@j30roth

Жыл бұрын

@@RichardBirchett thanks for the information Richard, I'll remember that. 🙂

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Good article at this link👍. Top birds blogs.ucl.ac.uk/researchers-in-museums/2018/09/25/question-of-the-week-why-does-the-kingfisher-look-blue/ cheers R

Really beautiful location yet again.What a pretty bird the kingfisher is.I have never seen one, they are too quick for me.It’s great to know they are around this area,I might get lucky one day.Many thanks.🥰

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alison, I am sure you’ll get your chance to see one when you least expect it! They are sure worth the wait, once seen never forgotten:-) I’m going to spend time with these as much as I can😀👍

Beautiful images Richard, your so lucky to have exclusive access to that pond. I moved 4 years ago, I’m now near the coast so there aren’t many rivers suitable for Kingfishers unfortunately, they’re open, wide and lack vegetation for cover. I do see them, they’re just not close by. I too don’t like baiting with live prey, the fish have to have a gentleman’s chance so to speak. I almost booked a Kingfisher hide the other day, I’ve been injury cursed this year so lugging my 500/4 plus tripod is a no no. Then I saw the set up which included a bucked just under the water caging the fish in. Not for me ☹️ When are you going to be featuring your woodland, I’m looking forward to seeing what you have 👍

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, I really am and I could spend pretty much all my time photographing them. Lots planned for the Autumn and Winter so fingers crossed a few more Vlogs to come all being well. Oh dear, good on you for walking away on that one, I always say each to their own but it's not for me, not much of a challenge when it's setup like that! Got some woodland vlogs planned very soon, currently working on a new woodland hide, all that coming soon. Cheers Richard 👍

Great material.

@RichardBirchett

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Edward 👍

Unbelievable images. You're very lucky to have a spot like that. I see them regularly at my local river but it's very wide and fast moving. The only place I've found them perching requires wading waist deep across to islands and once there the steep banks and thick trees really limit your options for putting up a hide and shooting with the light where you want it.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Jay, it really is a top spot with now 4 different birds visiting almost daily! That all sounds quite tricky, I really do hope you get some success soon. Cheers Richard 👍

Class Rich, well done 👏 agree totally on the baited fish too 🙄

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob, not for all but each to their own I guess. Nice to go a bit more natural 👍

Wow, very nice place. Great you inThis is a really lovely video. Very nice and you got something great

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much it's such a cracking spot and very lucky to have it so close to home. All the best Richard

Great video thanks for sharing 👍

@RichardBirchett

7 ай бұрын

No worries Ste, not sure if we’ve spoken before, if not thanks for watching. Cheers Rich 👍

@stesmith7373

7 ай бұрын

@@RichardBirchett Your welcome Richard. I think we have spoken as I'm sure that i mentioned having just bought the R6 mk2, with the grip and EF to RF adapter. OMG. its got the focus system from your camera with a faster burst 40fps but what is really impressive is the built-in 2X or 4X converter so for example my 500mm f4 mk2 can actually get a 4000mm focal length 😁

@RichardBirchett

7 ай бұрын

@stesmith7373 ah yes I think I remember now! That’s a lot of reach! Best of luck with it all 👍

@stesmith7373

7 ай бұрын

@@RichardBirchett I was happy with the mk2 2X converter for record shots on rare occasions but not really the image quality in poor light . So I think this will improve things dramatically . Looking forward to trying it properly on Otters in Pembrokeshire from next week 😀

@RichardBirchett

7 ай бұрын

@@stesmith7373 nice one, best of luck 👍

I agree, I like the challenge of capturing wildlife in harmony with the environment, and baiting etc I personally do t see as ethical. But I agree that in some situations, for example documentary work, then it may need to be considered.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

HI James, thats a great reply and I can see if you are filming or studying them it can be a really good tool to use, but I won't be adopting anything like that in order to get a shot. Thanks again for watching. Rich👍

Great footage there. The lake setup you have looks wonderful. Have you tried adding a second, much lower perch? We found that our local kingy would often fly between the two after a dive giving extra opportunities for flight shots and in a quite predictable way.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Hi Phil, thanks very much for watching. I'm certainly lucky to have such a cracking spot for them. That's a great idea and I aim to place a few more perches and posts around the lake for this autumn and winter. All the best Rich

stunning images , time + effort = results , well done keep up the good work , when are you going to Canada , and will you keep on vloging when you get there ?

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Loved the comment Victor, thanks very much indeed! Leaving on the 1st of August 2023, yep the photography and videos will still be coming all being well. Cheers R 👍

That were a few individuals Richard. I saw at least a male adult and a young. Good work!

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Jeroen, so far we have had two males, a sub adult male and more recently we had a female in! So we are hoping to get a bank installed soon. I've watched all of your Kingfisher videos and loved them all! You've taken some cracking shots my friend, especially the out the water shot! Bloody brilliant stuff! It's on my list, lol. I am missing your videos very much, but totally understand the reasons, I am also getting fed up with KZread so I may be slowing things down, my ratings, views and Subscribers have gone right down and I'm just getting fed up with it all! Will concentrate more on Stills than videos.. Cheers Rich 👍

@JeroenKloppenburg

Жыл бұрын

Just do what you love to do@@RichardBirchett ;) For me it makes much more sense to produce vlogs on tracking on my @WEYLINTRACKING channel, mixed with some wildlife photography. Unfortunately that's all Dutch language, but you're welcome to give it a visit. Soon a vlog full of bears and wolverines... ;) Wish you all the best with the kingfishers! Doing a series of vlogs with them did great for my channel. Might do the same to yours!

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

@@JeroenKloppenburg thanks Jeroen, sound advice I’ll check out the tracking channel! Didn’t realise you had another 😂👍

Richard - thank you for the details on your camera settings to take still shots. Can you also share the settings you use for the vlogging and also the video you took with your camera. Thank you!

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jeff, I’d be more than happy to send you details or include it in a comment if that helps? I’m away on holiday at the moment but will do on my return home. All the best Rich 👍

Fantastic stuff mate! That lake looks awesome, & it’s great to see there’s more than one kingy there too. Hopefully they survive the winter (milder down there so fingers crossed) & to get them on a frost covered perch covered in lichen would look amazing - there’s a challenge for you. Mind you, you might need to seal your cold can of cider for a hot flask of winter broth! 😂 Amazing photo & videography as always, nice work buddy 👌👏👏👏

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Hi mate, thanks very much👍. We will be working on a few adapted perches over the coming months with some lichen and moss etc. Fingers crossed they make it, warm down south so hopefully it will be a good winter🤞🏻👍. Yep, negative cider and something less boozy and food based to keep me going when I freezing my ass off in the hide😂! Cheers Rich 👍

Great shots and footage, love them! I hope some day I can shoot diving king fishers. I am happy you did explain a little about how to capture them. Manual focus and prediction of where they will dive is key right? And what about when they fly back out of the water?

@RichardBirchett

11 сағат бұрын

Hey Tim, thanks for watching I'm glad you enjoyed it. Pretty much, it's not an exact science but with a good depth of field and if you can around f8 you shouldn't be far off, study the perch they are on and they generally hit the same spot time and time again so you can work it out from there. Obviously you can cheat like some people and bait from a tank then you'll be right on the shot and get it pin sharp! But for me that's not wildlife photography and it's cheating! Still only my opinion. Best of luck. Rich 👍

Really nice spot, Richard. I could see alot of birds in that location in your future adventures.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Kevin, it's a great little place to go and totally private so I feel very lucky to be able to use it! Be back there this week all being well. Cheers R 👍

Cracking Richard - as always. I’m currently visiting your local peregrines… saw one this morning- hoping closer tomorrow- I did see a stoat or weasle? Which is it likely to be on the cliffs there? Thanks

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Clive, best of luck with the Falcons and yes we have lots of Stoats and Weasels about! Cheers R 👍

@clivemear4481

Жыл бұрын

Thanks - just wish this rain would let up so I get a second stab this week before the 340 mile drive home!

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

@@clivemear4481 hope you get the chance Clive 👍

Hi Richard excellent video, you have a stunning location to work with. Are you pre focusing on the perch for dive shots and hoping the f8 depth of field covers the bird or tracking the bird via auto focus? I finally got some coming in to land and dive from the perch shots yesterday amongst 100’s of pictures of the perch😂 still lots of room for improvement though. Usually struggle to get anywhere near acceptable shutter speed due to the birds turning up at 6-7am then disappearing, look forward to your next video👍

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Hi Laurence, thanks very much for watching. Some were prefocused on the perch and with F8 it worked really well. Tried tracking some but the speed of the bird and the cameras AF was an interesting combo, going to do a more in depth video on the setup soon. The room for improvement is always there for all of us and I’m thinking that’s what makes it so special, keep trying my friend, you’ll nail it I’m certain of it. Shame about the time of day, I’ve been there at 0530 and got some portrait but diving like you say is tricky! 🙏🤞🏻👍

@laurencearnold5822

Жыл бұрын

@@RichardBirchett Thanks for the focus tip Richard, I have the D500 so have to focus on the perch and open aperture and up shutter speed as light dictatates I got lucky Saturday as a young Male came to my perch around 9.30 so good light. 10 frames/ second oh to have 2-3 more in between 👍👍

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

No probs Laurence:-) nice one, bit of time and patience and it will happen! I must admit having 30fps for diving birds is handy 😂👍

Awesome video, very hard to film in my area. Keep at it...

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much much indeed, amazing birds. Such a shame you don't get many:-( Cheers Richard 👍

great

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

You call her "she" but that's a male.

@RichardBirchett

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, there were three kingfishers in the video, one juvenile, one adult male and a lower mandible orange bill as the female not captured on camera. Cheers Richard