Re: We're off to Rye Meads

Cracking shots of the kingfisher, Chris. The one of him(?) coming out of the hole is terrific. Well done for capturing that one with hardly any wing blur - not easy. The shadow on the wall is an added enhancement. Do they both get involved in nest building?

I've seen black-headed gulls doing a similar thing at Lea Farm, Dinton Pastures. Noisy aggressive devils aren't they?

Sorry your back is playing up.

TJ

TeeJay

Cracking shots of the kingfisher, Chris. The one of him(?) coming out of the hole is terrific. Well done for capturing that one with hardly any wing blur - not easy. The shadow on the wall is an added enhancement. Do they both get involved in nest building?

I've seen black-headed gulls doing a similar thing at Lea Farm, Dinton Pastures. Noisy aggressive devils aren't they?

Sorry your back is playing up.

TJ

Hi TJ

Thank you for your kind comments. :-)

It was definitely the male who sat in the hole for what seemed like an eternity. We had watched the male sitting in a tree, (behind several twigs) then going into the hole from when we had arrived.

Both birds were involved in nest building because at different times we saw them fly into and out of the hole, but as you can imagine it was impossible to catch when one just flew in from any direction.

I just don't know how anyone can sit in a hide and watch gulls making such a racket. It became so annoying. We left as soon as I got that shot!

I've lived with my back like this for 20+ years, so I just do my best to ignore it now. :-)

Hi Kathy & Jo

Thank you so much for your kind comments.

Yes the nest site is built by Rye Meads staff. It consists of cement bands and wet sand.

Several pairs have already nested in it, and there are lots of holes from past seasons there. :-)

Fortunately for us, they had cut back a lot of the trees and reeds, so that on the sunny day yesterday, we had the best possible light for the longest possible time. As you go further into the season, the weeds grow up much higher, blossom falls off the trees and the pond fills with pond weed.

Chris

When we last went unfortunately the pond was covered in pond weed, so although we got lots of lovely photos they were slightly ruined by the green carpet on the water which gave them a dull feel.  I've put pictures on before but here are a couple just to give you an idea.  I hope we can go back in the next few weeks as I would love to get some whilst the water is clear as in your photos.  When we first went to Rye Meads it was the first time I had ever seen a kingfisher and it literally took my breath away, I will never forget that.  We sat there for about 3 hours as I just couldn;t bear to leave, they were flying in and out every 20 mins or so as they were feeding at the time.

Love your sparrow hawk pic too!!

Jo

Hi all. Great pictures Chris, glad the kinfishers put a good display on for you, they are something else to see.

Thats a great shot of the sparrowhawk also, nothing wrong with that, always difficult to get a shot of the flying overhead.

(Nice pictures also Jo)

well done chris......

having never even seen a kingfisher i'm about as envious as one person can get.......

but to top it off you get to photograph it too, classic pose sitting on the post.......

going to have to get down Rye Meads soon...................

fantastic captures so well done you..............

right i'm away in the huff now............................   ;-)

                                 paul & jo

Hi Jo

Yes I have some photos with the pond weed, and it makes them look like they are almost on a lawn, so it does take the eye away from the kingfisher a little.

At least you got some good shots when he landed on one of the nearer perches. :-)

My goodness, that's a big fish! LOL

Now we know they are nesting we will visit again in the hope of seeing the youngsters fledge, but it has to be a weekend as I don't like the idea of going by myself during the week.

(Any volunteers for a trip out in a little Merc SLK would be welcome LOL)

drexyl

well done chris......

having never even seen a kingfisher i'm about as envious as one person can get.......

but to top it off you get to photograph it too, classic pose sitting on the post.......

going to have to get down Rye Meads soon...................

fantastic captures so well done you..............

right i'm away in the huff now............................   ;-)

 

                                 paul & jo

Hi paul

The posts and branches have been set up so that they perch there. You should see the hide when the kingfishers are around; everyone just sits there and waits, and waits, then when one appears on a post, all of the cameras start clicking away at the same time. :-)

Big Robbo 27

Hi all. Great pictures Chris, glad the kinfishers put a good display on for you, they are something else to see.

Thats a great shot of the sparrowhawk also, nothing wrong with that, always difficult to get a shot of the flying overhead.

(Nice pictures also Jo)

Thanks BR

I might be able to get rid of most of the grain when I have more time.

I have never worked with RAW shots before, so I don't know what I'm doing.

I just spotted that sparrowhawk amongst a 'cloud' of gulls.

Hi Woodpecker,

Those photos are amazing!  The only birds I saw from that hide a couple of weeks ago were a moorhen and a couple of tufted ducks!  I'm definitely going back!

I went on my own on a Monday, by the way, and I didn't have any qualms about it, there.  I just met a few enthusiastic bird watchers and some mums with very young children.

Best wishes,

Keeta

Woodpecker

Now we know they are nesting we will visit again in the hope of seeing the youngsters fledge, but it has to be a weekend as I don't like the idea of going by myself during the week.

(

Oh Kingfishers Chris. I am not envious I'm flaming jealous (LOL)
Well done on your photos it can be very tiring waiting for that great shot but it was well worth it

Thank you Keeta and Judi for your kind comments. :-)

Keeta

I went on my own on a Monday, by the way, and I didn't have any qualms about it, there.  I just met a few enthusiastic bird watchers and some mums with very young children.

Keeta, When I was younger I had no qualms about driving all over the Country on my own. Somehow, as I'm getting older, I just don't like the idea so much and I don't know why. Maybe it's just a lack of confidence. :-)

I know I would be fine when I got there. :-))

Nice one Woodpecker, just a shame it took me an extra day to find the Dartfords when I was down there as Rye Meads was the stop I had to drop. I will try and make it at some point this year!! :-) 

Great shots you have there!

John 

Hi Woodpecker,

I love your Kingfisher pics,well worth waiting for.The Sparrowhawk pic Is good too,nice to see one In flight Instead of on a fence or In a tree!

Littleowl  :0)