- This topic is empty.
Where to photograph Kingfishers
-
Does anybody know anywhere in Ireland where I could photograph kingfishers
There’s some in Newbridge along the Liffey (Liffey Side Park). I’ve seen one fly by on my first visit there (you can’t mistake the flourescent blue flash). A tip I’ve read suggested that you bring a perch (a decent, natuarl looking branch) and locate it near your hide overlooking the water. You’d need to walk a fair ways upstream to find a quiet spot along the river because it’s used a lot by dog walkers who don’t believe in leashes.
Good places to find them apparently vertical, sturdy sandy banks where they can build/dig nests. I think the K Club built a few artifical nests for them.
And an officepark in Trim. I saw a photo on POTN (I think) where I guy took 2 of the most amazing close up shots of a KF outside his office window, sitting on a railing.
In the UK I think that you almost need a license to photograph them.
Is there any restrictions like that here I wonder.Would be a fantastic subject to photograph :)
Mark
I hadn’t heard about licensing for KF’s. I knew Merlins and Sea Eagles (maybe Ospreys) were restricted in the UK alright. I don’t think we even have controls on the Golden Eagles in Donegal but I could be well wrong…. I suspect not if they let George Hook near them.
What I do know about KF’s is they require a lot of patience… partly why I haven’t tried. BBC’s spring watch did a nice piece on a cameraman’s efforts to shoot one on the last series.
Hi John
There are at least 2 on the Boyne at a place called ‘The Curly Hole’ just outside Drogheda. I have gone out on numerous occasions and have yet to capture them on camera… well i did but the bird ended up being about 10 pixels high in the frame.. what bugs me is that years ago when i used to fish this part of the river they used to land extremely close to me… now when I want them to they wont…! And as it happens an uncle of my wife fishes this section of the river and he has seen them within 10 foot of him… They are obviously camera shy….! Just like myself…!
Richie
John Dunne wrote:
Does anybody know anywhere in Ireland where I could photograph kingfishers
email the guy Tom Shevlin that did this website http://www.wildlifesnaps.com/ I know him well and he will find this out for you.
There’s a pair that fish the Tolka in the Botanic gardens, Dublin.
Head in the main gate,keep walking straight ’til ya find the river,turn left and follow the river upstream.
Very hard to catch ….I’ve tried :wink:They are really difficult to get. I took some shots a couple of years ago but I was really lucky because he came up to my window at work beside the Boyne. He stayed all day but I never saw him before or since.
I will post up a thread here with two of the pics.
Thanks for all your help. Ill try those options. I captured a pied kingifsher in Botswana. Only a mediocre shot and they are not as nice as the common or malachite.
Mediocre? You set high standards John :o
Thats a very good shot. Very unusual to see a kingfisher with those colours. The fact that it has a meal in it’s mouth is amazing.
Excellent shot John, has got everything right about it. Composition, sharpness, food in bill.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
