I thought I better justify the lack of posting here. Sadly it’s not because I’ve been away some place exotic or even just making more images but because I’ve been moving house. We’re further out in the countryside now so it’s taking a long time to have a phone line and internet connection installed.

Bear with me!

Chris

It seems like weeks since the we’ve had a clear day in Derbyshire. The cloud cover has been all but total for a long time. Although I prefer it a bit cooler, the sun also provides light as well as heat and in photographic terms, the former is the far more important element. So I’ve been on the river for several evenings studying the behaviour of the kingfishers. One of the young ones is still in the area and the male is frequently flying past hot on its tail. Having established a fair collection of ‘static’ images where the bird is perched and a number of nice behavioural shots, action is the missing ingredient. But before I get there I feel compelled to address the crux that frequently haunts photographers: what’s the point in repeating a project or type of image that already exists en mass?

What will I gain from creating an image that is similar to hundreds of other because of it’s impact? 99% of the ones in existence are probably better anyway! I guess there are two answers to the dilemma. First, if you are in the fortunate position of people coming and asking for your images, they will expect you to have these ‘basic’ shots. The images of iconic species that no nature photographer could be without. A robin in some snow, a puffin with fish in its beak, a butterfly on a flower. They’re like the basic tools of the trade.  Second, (a two fold answer) experience and enjoyment. What you learn photographing one species is often transferrable to others. The hours you build in the field are important if you want to qualify yourself in a growing field of competitors. Lastly, it’s fun, it’s an enjoyable experience and fulfilling to be able to say you created a work of art.

It’s fair to say that this approach probably won’t break barriers or pay your gas bill but serious stuff aside, it’s important to enjoy your profession and hobby!

And so on to the first action shot of the kingfishers. This really was a piece of luck and an initial test of seeing how to approach this type of shot. It involved partly submerging my tripod and wrapping a scarf around the camera to try and muffle the repeating shutter sound that can alarm the birds.

When you’ve got a good thing going – make the most of it. Photographer Mark Hamblin’s comment that you should photograph your subject extensively and from different approaches stuck with me. On Wednesday, it’ll be a month since my first picture of the river kingfishers and still I feel compelled to return and study them. It’s fantastic fun to boot.

This time I used a slightly different perch with some greenery on it. It gives a bit more of a spring/summer feel and although I make no bones about putting perches in place, it does make for a more attractive photograph. I might be wishing my life away but I’m looking forward to winter and the different images I might create with frost or dare I say it, snow.

What really interested me was that the kingfisher wasn’t too keen on the moss covering the branch so it set about pulling some off. I went back yesterday to find the branch nearly bare around the tip. If this was the work of the kingfisher it can mean two things. Firstly, it gives an interesting insight into their preference for perches. It’s well known that if you don’t want a kingfisher to perch somewhere, put some grass on it. So perhaps this bird was trying to modify this perch. That leads on to the assumption that the perch is useful to the bird and its modifications are because it uses the branch regularly and was a bit miffed that it was suddenly covered in moss. To conclusively say one way or another isn’t possible but the whole process of discovery whilst appreciating nature is really exciting.

This image was from the evening session where the sun has swept across the sky to give some backlighting. Thanks to all who are viewing the blog regularly, your feedback is most appreciated.

I haven’t been out with the camera for a couple of days because of catching up on some chores. I’m moving house in a couple of weeks so that will require some attention for a while and I’m expecting that photography will act as a break from deciding what will go where and getting used a low beamed ceiling.

My last visit to the river was on Tuesday when I took these. I’m always wondering how ‘smart’ the subjects I look for are. It leads to a weird way of thinking – almost superstitious rather than scientific. For example, I’ll wonder whether or not wearing a certain jacket (even in a hide) will affect my chances of seeing something or if I put my hide further out in the open, will that scare the subject away. There are loads of these little niggles that cross my mind. I think the scientist in me is longing for some kind of control measures. Of course, in nature these do not exist – it wouldn’t be nature – and the more I think about, realise and accept this, the luckier I feel that I get to see nature up close.

I’m hoping to get back down to see the kingfishers tomorrow, I’m somewhat consumed by this project and I think keeping up appearances makes for better images in the long run – even if it’s dull and raining.

Have a nice day, folks.

This morning marked a bit of a milestone for me. Followers on Facebook will have seen an early morning update from the riverbank letting you know I’d had a juvenile kingfisher on the perch. Better still, a second youngster turned up only moments later. This marked a high point in what has only been a relatively short project so far. Since the law restricts you from disturbing these birds, knowing whether or not fledglings survive their first few days is difficult to tell so it was something of a privilege to see two at such close range. I try and approach nature from an objective standpoint. My fascination with evolution and ecology and my ambition to understand more about it means I try to keep a respectful distance and not become affectionate of species and subjects. Getting attached to wildlife might make you passionate about a particular animal or plant but I feel there is more to appreciate when ecosystems and the environment is considered as a whole. Yet, I have to admit, my heart was warmed by these the two birds this morning.

Adult kingfishers feed their newly fledged offspring for only a few days before trying to shoo them off to find their own patch. Indeed, the male (who has been the only adult I’ve seen) turned up after only 5 minutes to scatter them before returning himself. It may be the first and last time I see the juveniles and I can’t help but feeling a profound sense of hope coupled with desperation. These next few weeks are probably their most testing so fingers crossed.

There was thick cloud cover this morning and, as is always the case with photographers, the conditions could have been better but I managed the following shots. They are all shot under 1/160th of a second which is relatively slow.

You can just make out the white tip of the beak indicating that this is a young bird – as it gets older, the pigment will move all the way to the tip.

And finally, the adult male back again after seeing off the kids

I just can’t get enough. Here the wagtail is metered for so the background begins a lot darker anyway.

Last one for a while – I promise.

Tuesday seems like a long time ago and I’m itching to get down to the river to continue with the kingfishers. Yesterday saw the insertion of another perch, this time further into the river. From the current perch, the background of the images is very distracting – lots of grass and rushes and although they make a nice contrast in colour and texture, they compete with the subject for the viewer’s attention. It’s also worth trying every different angle on a project to add flavour.

I got round to do an edit tonight and found myself fiddling with brushes again to the tune as the puffin in the last post. Again, it’s heavily worked on and a bright subject such as a kingfisher definitely isn’t as subtle as a puffin but hey, it’s a bit of fun. As ever your opinion is welcome.

I had a great day yesterday with a fellow photographer, Andrew Mason, over on Skomer. I hadn’t planned on visiting the island this year but I felt the spontaneity of the trip would shake up the routine. A rough couple of nights had stirred up the sea around Skomer so the Puffins that the island is famous for were making the most of the conditions which stirred up fish from the seabed. This meant a bit of waiting while they came back inland and so we hadn’t as much opportunity to shoot.

In the meantime we had a chance to talk at length about nature photography, its future and how we see it panning out. I find this open exchange of information is one of the most powerful tools to have in the armoury. Having a forum to share ideas, construct challenges and, at the end of the day, have a laugh with can make a long day worthwhile.

I didn’t come away from Wales with a huge bank of images although I was able to pick out some new compositions I had yet to explore. I got quite carried away with some darkening brushes while processing the image below. It’s had a lot of work but I really like it. What are your thoughts?

Today was the third morning in a row I’ve spent on the river. A couple of weeks ago I began preparing perches for a pair of kingfishers who, at the time, were raising a brood. Since then, the chicks have fledged so the patterns of activity have changed. Rather than the fishing taking place nearby the nest, it has become more spread out which is an advantage to me since my perch is far upstream. So far, only the male has used it so any pictures you see are of him. He’s accepting my hide without hesitation now and has been happily fishing in front of it.

Seeing a project through is something I often find quite difficult to do. A lot of nature photography results in nothing and set backs seem to be quite a common occurrence (like my perches being used as dog toys!!). This makes me quite fickle and I start daydreaming about a new subject and a new angle of photography. The truth is though, when you persist, you slowly become more attuned to your subject’s behaviour, it’s habits, what’s possible and what’s not. Building this kind of relationship is vital and I can think of at least a dozen other , (better) photographers that champion this view. Luckily, kingfishers are such an alluring and beautiful subject, it’s easier to remain on track.

This one of the male landing after a successful dive was taken this morning. It was settled morning so this time I didn’t have to hold the hide down!

P.S. Sorry about the massive watermark but I’ve found my images being used without permission on some site.

Just a quick one tonight. It’s been a dull day here due to the clouds but I witnessed some really exciting action. On a small pond I found a weasel scouting around looking for a meal. The pond is used by water voles and an adult was sitting out on a small island in the middle of the pond. The weasel, clearly able to smell its lunch got within inches of the vole before it dived beneath the surface to safety only to reemerge and be chased across the pond. Escaping into the vegetation on the back, the adult vole survived, however, moments later a young water vole emerged from the water looking very shaken. Moving only slightly and with very poor balance, the little thing sat there clearly quite stunned. Next thing I know, the weasel was on its way over getting closer and closer. Amazingly it missed the vole and made off into the undergrowth. About 40 minutes later, the lucky youngster seemed to come round and swam away.

I’ve always sided with the idea that nature takes care of itself, it regulates itself and millions of years of evolution have created a balance in the natural world that, although isn’t perfect, is pretty close – so just leave it be. Yet in those seconds with the predator leaping closer to the bewildered prey, some sympathetic part of me did yearn to intervene. This feeling was heightened by the knowledge of just how precarious this species’ survival chances are. Whatever the outcome is in the long run I had a massive dose of wild adrenaline today – something I’m always greedy for.