Mail: simon@natural-photographer.co.uk

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5. Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/400sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200.

Kingfishers

The kingfisher is one of my all-time favourite birds. My first ever sight of one of these beautiful birds was in Cropton Forest in North Yorkshire around 1990, where I watched a kingfisher sit on a branch overlooking a small pond; within a second, it had taken off, and was back on the same branch with a fish, fully justifying its name.

In 2025, I achieved one of my photographic ambitions by being the ‘right place at the right time’ in the Martin Mere nature reserve in Lancashire, where one of these amazing birds visited the wetlands there, in close proximity to the hide. It went about its business for about half an hour, giving me a fantastic opportunity to capture a number of images. No date is stated underneath the photographs as they were all taken on the same day, 5th September 2025. I hope to add to this section of the album with more photos of this most beautiful of birds, so I am always on the lookout for a ‘flash of blue’.



1. Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 560mm), 1/400sec @ f/4, exposure compensation +0.6 stop, ISO 500.


2. Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 560mm), 1/400sec @ f/4, exposure compensation +0.6 stop, ISO 320.

While it was sat on this branch, the bird was constantly moving its head, looking for fish in the water. This photo shows the brown colouring on the front well.


3. Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 560mm), 1/200sec @ f/4, exposure compensation +0.6 stop, ISO 250.

Here you can see the various shades of blue, with the distinctive turquoise stripe along the back of the bird.

4. Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 560mm), 1/200sec @ f/4, exposure compensation +0.6 stop, ISO 200.

The obligatory ‘kingfisher with a fish’ photo.


6. Leica SL(601), Apo-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 + 2x Apo-Extender-R (effective focal length 800mm), 1/400sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400.

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