Bird photography - How I photograph common kingfishers

#birdphotography #wildlifephotography #kingfisher
This episode will go through my process and techniques to prepare and get close to the kingfisher, photographing it without disturbing.
Music by
VYEN - Wonder
Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan
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[@tomking3800]

You certainly got your reward for your perseverance well don Mik

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you Tom👍, It is always nice when the kingfisher appears 🙂

[@cjvirginia7510]

Brilliant! Your patience paid off handsomely. What an amazing bird. It’s silhouette and colors. Thank you for this video.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much CJ 👍. The kingfisher is one of the most beautiful birds we have here in Sweden and I am glad you like it 😊

[@photographerswithoutborder7302]

amazing idea thanks alot Mr Mik

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you and I hope it works out for you and that you will get some stunning results 😊

[@photographerswithoutborder7302]

This is certain Mr@@MikSwePhoto again thanks a lot and I wish God bless you and your family

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Awesome video Mik! Great insights and tips for photographing Kingfishers!

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks Michael it is nice to share some tips and hopefully someone else can get a better chance to photograph this beautiful bird to.

[@marcherrmann9635]

Totally amazing! I've had a first kingfisher experience by myself last year, but viewing this reminds me of the pending wish to try it again.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much. I think you should try again and let me know how it turned out 😊👍

[@glennburch1081]

Mik, TY for this video. My house backs up onto marshland and we have the Belted Kingfisher that resides here. He used to perch on an old dead stick about 15 feet high up off and adjacent to the waters edge. A very skittish bird. I have new camera gear, wildlife rig (Nikon D500 w/ 200-500mm f5.6) that I will photograph with. Need to replace the stick as a storm finally took it down. Need to buy a blind as well...currently shopping. Nice to know I seem to be replicating all the steps that worked for you, gives me a little bit of confidence that I am headed in the right direction. TY for this video. Beautiful shots of your Kingfisher, congratulations.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you Glenn. Kingfishers seems to be skittish all over the world :-). The belted kingsfishers that I have seen has been perched higher up than the common kingfishers that I filmed in this video use to be. That said it, since you are putting up a new stcik try to position it so that i correseponds to where you will put up the blind and so that the background is nice and blurry. Only blue och gray sky as a background can make the image a bit dull compared to a mora colourful backgrund that leaves can produce,at least in my opinion. Let me know how it works out :-)

[@ToToWildlife]

Great job 👍 great video 🎥👍🙏👏

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you, glad you liked it 👍😊

[@petrvokurek2286]

Beautiful video. I think you got really lucky with all the sticks occupied :) I´ve tried many times and know it´s not easy. And vloging while taking photos and filming...hat off!

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much Petr. I usually put up several sticks in hope that the kingfisher will sit on several sticks so I get some different shots. Getting all occupied at the sametime is exiting but also stressful, choosing which one I should photograph :-)

[@johnmcclane264]

to put some sticks in the pond is a brilliant idea. i will try that out now and i mean really now! thanks!

[@MikSwePhoto]

Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work out the first time. Try to find out where they usually sit and hunt and then present them with a better stick in that area. While at it put out several sticks and watch from distance if they prefer one before the others. Photographing kingfishers is mostly about perseverance, good luck to you and let me know how it turned out 😀

[@stefvanvaerenbergh3241]

Love this video! Thank you for sharing this and wow 3 kingfishers at the same place! Amazing Want me going to the lake and try it myself again.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much Stef. It took three times with nothing happening so I was very happy when it finally worked out :-)

[@Interbeing_CDN]

Great tutorial Mik, I have been tracking a Kingfisher on a nearby creek for a while, but unable to get close enough for a good shot, I will certainly try your techniques.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you Todd, I appreciate your comment 👍 If you have a Kingfisher regularly visiting an area it will certainly check out a new fishing spot. Make sure you have got a nice photo spot before you put a new stick out and don't be discouraged if it doesn't go there. It has happened to me several times and is mostly depending on whether it has chicks that need food or not. So timing with raising chicks is a factor for success. Let me know how it works out.

[@Interbeing_CDN]

@@MikSwePhoto Will do, I will be leaving on a trip to Canada shortly and returning at the end of the month. I hope to get out to that area after that. Thanks again!

[@adrianmoore8200]

Brilliant footage of the Kingfishers I like take photo

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks Adrian, I appreciate you comment. 👍

[@chrisnel7856]

Great video. I learned a lot about planning and not just to pitch up and wait, thanks for sharing.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks a lot Chris, glad to be of assistance 👍😊 .

[@invaliduserification]

Great video. Glad to see your patience rewarded. There is nothing common about the Common Kingfisher, rather royal creature imo.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks and you are quite right about the common in common kingfisher 😀

[@tompedex1]

Snyggt filmat Mikael!

[@MikSwePhoto]

Tack så mycket Tommy , din kommentar uppskattas👍😊

[@Thultmark]

Wonderful. A kingfisher jackpot!

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much and I agree that was a spectacular morning :-)

[@oneandonlyjaybee]

I love how the excitement surrounding these birds transcends international borders. It doesn't matter where you live, if you have the bug for kingfishers the buzz of seeing them is totally universal. I've watched them all my life but only just been able to afford a camera and lens to photograph them. My new local river is huge and finding a spot to capture them is proving hard, but I will keep going!

[@MikSwePhoto]

I agree that they are magnificent birds to watch and I hope you will find a good spot to take some nice photos of them. They are quite territorial so once you find a kingfisher area it will be easier to choose a spot to put out some sticks 😊

[@xana7196]

12:59 Aah! Poor bird! Dropped its catch... Never even tried to get it back, why?

[@MikSwePhoto]

That is a interesting question that I unfortunately don't know the answer to. I have rarely seen kingfishers dive down after lost fish. Maybe the fish sinks to the bottom or they are just unable to pick it up from the surface.

[@xana7196]

@@MikSwePhoto I thought that fish sinks too

[@mrmoon7768]

Sticks in a forest? Thanks for the tip off lol

[@MikSwePhoto]

Well, I try hard to spread my hard earned experiences. You'll never know if some (city) folks think they have to buy it in a store 😁

[@jhondoughlasariasa9158]

Amazing bird this kingfisher... hard to get this picture

[@MikSwePhoto]

It is not impossible, but can take some time before one learns where and when to see them. Just keep on trying 😊

[@Ramotttholl]

@@MikSwePhoto even if you know where and when. you need to find the right spot. i got a 2 kingfisher nest in my local pond... problem is 3/4th of it is covered with trees overhanging the water and the other is a walking path so they have tons of fishing spot options. i been spotting them over and over to see when they tend to go out and what spots but the only reliable spot is an island 15-25m out in the pond a little to far for a great photo even with my 200-600 so i keep on getting to know them >

[@MikSwePhoto]

@@Ramotttholl Yes you have a good point there. Along the river that is in the river there are lot of nice spots to fish from, at least from the kingfishers point of view. The best way is of course to find a spot where there are no other choices but the stick that you put out. Even if they nesting in the pond try to see if they leave the pond to other areas like a small stream to/from the pond or in the vicinity. In my experience when the young ones get bigger they will take them away from the pond to another area where the eventually are left alone. I think it is their way of letting the young ones know that "it was nice having you around but don't come back to the pond it is ours" :-)

[@mats9192]

Otroligt fina bilder. Väntar du med kameran avstängd mesta tiden eller hur gör du med batteriet?

[@MikSwePhoto]

Tack så mycket Mats. När jag är på plats så stänger jag aldrig av kameran. Jag låter den bara gå ner i viloläge. Även om kameran startar fort så tar det för lång tid när det väl händer nåt :-)

[@mats9192]

Mik Swe ok, tack!

[@airsoft69]

Wow how lucky were you having three kingfishers . fantastic footage and awesome photos

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks Dale and good luck to you catching some nice shots as well 😉

[@jameshyde149]

Wow European Kingfishers are so much prettier then our North American ones.

[@MikSwePhoto]

I can not disagree with you on that 😊. We tend to call the European kingfisher the jewel among birds. When the sun hits the feathers the right way it just sparkles like a bright jewel 😊

[@marcherrmann9635]

Totally amazing! I've had a first kingfisher experience by myself last year, but viewing this reminds me of the pending wish to try it again.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you Marc. It is easy to addicted to viewing more and more when it comes to kingfishers 😁

[@williamfidler2004]

are you in Skåne?

[@MikSwePhoto]

That is correct :-)

[@22035]

I did alot of planning with perches and things and the kingfishers always show up and land in a tree high up 😂

[@MikSwePhoto]

Haha yes that is how wildlife works most of the time, they do not understand the needs of a photographer :-) How ever it has happened to me as well and I think they sometimes get a bit cautious about the hide or the what ever camo one is using.

[@22035]

@@MikSwePhoto yes I think that's it. I still consider myself lucky to see them as often as I do and enjoy every single moment 😁

[@MikSwePhoto]

@@22035 They are truly beautiful birds and watching up close is amazing. You might just have to try to blend in more and then hope that they will come closer. It can also be that they find that tree a superb vantage point and then you might have to pick another spot to set up your gear. Good luck and keep patient 😊

[@22035]

@@MikSwePhoto thank you very much for your reply. Yes I will keep my eyes open for different spots see what I can find 😊

[@MikSwePhoto]

@@22035 Let me know how it work out 😊

[@shaneliu4170]

If the kingfisher saw you setup the blind, will it still fly close to your blind? I got a situation where, I find a nest area for a pair of kingfishers, but the way getting close to the spot they like to hang out, is really open, so whenever I try to get close, they will just stay away for hours, and never get back to the usual spot.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Hi Shane and thank you for your question. I always set up the blind no later than the day before. The longer it can be there before you sit there the more time the subject, he kingfisher in this case, will have time to get use to it being there. They can be a bit skittish when they appear during the early morning hours but as the hours go they will be more comfortable with the hide in place. If you spook them by for example trying to get close up while they are watching they will most certainly stay away from that spot. So my first tip is never try to get so close to wildlife that they will be intimidated and run off. It is better to get there before or after they have left (without getting spooked). Regarding to get close to the nesting area I would stay a bit further away and try to locate where they usually hunt instead. When the chicks get big enough they will be "lured" away from the nest closer to the hunting areas. Using a hide in the right place (where they hunt/fish) is the best method. Stalking and using a camo-net will seldom work. I hope this answers your question 😊

[@shaneliu4170]

Mik Swe thank you for your reply, the situation is a bit complicated, since it is a small pond about the size of 20mx20m with some fish in the pond, so the nesting spot and the hunting spot is about 10m apart, and the pond is close to park path where people may walk pass from a distance. So setup the blind before the day is really hard. And I’m using 100-400mm lens with a x1.4 on crop body, and it is still not enough reach for the situation.

[@MikSwePhoto]

@@shaneliu4170 I see. The ones that I have been watching actually fly off quite far away from the nest so I have two tips for you: First tip is to locate the best spot from a photography point of view by the pond, then put up some sticks there and watch if they will sit on them. If they do, go there early one morning when it is still dark and put up the hide and see what happens. Second tip is to check out the surrounding area and try to figure out if there are any other locations that they might use for fishing. Normally the kingfisher is rather territorial so they will eventually lure the young ones away from the pond and then they might come to the other area that ought to be relatively close by. Let me know how it works out 😊

[@shaneliu4170]

Mik Swe hi, I guess the kingfishers have showed up for two days after not there, but now the male just decided that to just stay at the far corner of the pond, and not moving closer at all.

[@MikSwePhoto]

@@shaneliu4170 Photographing kingfishers is a waiting game deluxe 😀 If they have had a nest close by they will return sooner or later. They often have more than one batch of chicks in the same year and they will probably use the same burrows again and again. It will take a while for you to get a grip of their nesting cycle so treat this as a project spanning over more than one year. Patience and endurance is the name of the game 😊

[@FotogenDK]

awesome video and great place you have there with hole 3 kingfishers!! :-) really great video Mik :-)

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much Nicolai. It was at one time actually 4 of them swirling around 😁

[@ianbrown704]

Stunning footage Mik! I have just been photographing Kingfishers today and have tons of "on the stick" images but I have yet to nail a tack sharp in flight or coming out of the water photo, normally because I have lost or never acquired AF as its left the stick. Any tips? Cheers

[@MikSwePhoto]

I have lots of birds-on-a-stick-pictures but the other ones are a lot more difficult to take. There are several tricks you can try. One is to simply prefocus in an area that you think it will dive in and pull trigger as soon as you think it will dive. An other is to use a wide angle lens a bit closer and use a remote. That way you will get more depth of field and increase the chance of getting it sharp. Some use infrared triggers to get the shot but in the long run I think it is to spend a lot of time to learn about its local behaviour so that you can predict the birds movements. No matter it will take time and endurance 😁 Thanks for your comment Ian hope my answer can be of any help.

[@knutfugl]

Beautiful moments you share. Wonderful shots! Have a great weekend. Best regards, Knut.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks Knut for your kind words. You have a great weekend as well 😀

[@xana7196]

21:30 Looks like a kingfisher and a ghost 😎😆

[@MikSwePhoto]

Typical territorial behaviour when the do this close fly-by to intimidate the one on the perch.

[@gerfaut7dh287]

Hello Mik, thank for sharing, your sequences on this beautiful bird are magnific, it's one of my favorite. In return, I'd like to share one of my videos on the common kingfisher on : Gefaut7 dh friendly from France Didier

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you so much. I checked out your kingfisher video and it seems that you have a lot of opportunities to both watch and photograph this beautiful bird. Keep up the good work with your videos.

[@chadadventure]

Another great video. Great format. You say this was your third time in blind. About how many hours in blind ?

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much. Usually I get out around 4:30 am and stay until about 10 am. It differs of course depending if I can hear the kingfisher nearby or if it is totally quiet. Then add the preparation time the evening before. Sitting in a hide can really be boring when nothing happens but so wonderful when it do happen 😃

[@ToToWildlife]

Great video and beautiful filming of this amazing kingfishers 🎥👍

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you so much 👍😊

[@balasport5940]

Superb video - excellent footage of the kingfishers. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you so very much. I hope you will find the other content interesting as well 😊

[@cioran66]

Great video, thanks so much! I live in kingfisher wonderland but barely have any good shots. You definitely taught and inspired me to try harder!

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you so much. With kingfisher it is a lot about perseverance so if you know that they are around in an area it is just question of time before you get those shots 😀

[@terryroth2855]

Your planning and patience really paid off Mik. What a wonderful video and images of this beautiful bird. Well done!🙂

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks a lot Terry, it took a while but it turned out great in the end.

[@Birdwow63]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!!! Great learning 👍👍😊

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much, I appreciate your comment 👍😊

[@RRNaturePhotography]

Hi Mic. Just found your channel and subbed. Beautiful footage and images 👌

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks a lot Rich and welcome 😊👍

[@amaimani]

amazing work and enjoyed seeing how kingfisher catches his food. well done Mik

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you so much Abdul, it is a cool bird to watch 😊

[@AndyGustavsson]

riktigt bra film!! Bilden när kungsfiskaren precis ska flyga iväg är riktigt snygg, bra jobbat! =)

[@MikSwePhoto]

Tackar så mycket Andy, som så ofta är det mycket tur inblandat. Detta var som sagt tredje gången för det året så det är alltid lite osäkert om det ska dyka upp nån eller inte 😃

[@AndyGustavsson]

@@MikSwePhoto haha jo det är ju så, alltid lika spännande när det äntligen händer något! O man känner sig inte helt värdelös haha 😁

[@MikSwePhoto]

@@AndyGustavsson Alltid skönt att komma hem med nån bild iaf 😊

[@jeffbrown4743]

Amazing session with the kingfisher family. 👍

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you Jeff, it certainly was an eventful morning especially since the last two occasions before that was without any sightings 😊

[@jllanesphoto]

Great video. Very well done, congrats....

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you so much Jerry 👍

[@AndyBeattieUK]

Nice vlog, with some crackin' shots and footage 👍

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you Andy, I appreciate your comment and hope you will find the other videos interesting as well 😊

[@MichalOlender]

Ser jätte bra ut Mikael! Vackra fåglar!

[@MikSwePhoto]

Tack så mycket Michal

[@Guitarvic91]

Nice! Where in sweden is this shot?

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks Viktor. It is shot in Skåne.

[@zoltantolgyesi3891]

Swallows breed in the reed :D

[@MikSwePhoto]

😆 Some times words just don't come out quite the way they are supposed to 😊

[@SuperBono777]

Great video ,thank you

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you Bogdan and I hope you will some more videos that you will like here on my channel 😊

[@BHANGUVIDEOSUK]

Great video.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you very much 😊

[@netterfranke43]

So you can pull a video synonymous in the length, 10min only talk

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks for commenting, not exactly sure of your point thou.

[@gittestvringjensen3555]

Great video and pictures of the blue beauties , Mik.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thanks Gitte I hope you will find some as well 👍😊

[@Ramotttholl]

i learned how to catch a Kingfisher i learned from my dad.. just have a house with a big window surrounded by farmland. and if one day you hear a loud against the window. get out there and pick up the Kingfisher whilst its recovering. Congrats you just Caught a kingfisher. Still jealous of the photo he made of one on his hand. it was only with his phone but it was so close up because of this. oooh you ment catch on Photo XD

[@SuperFucdat]

Have tried to capture the Kingfisher many times so know just how difficult it is so well done for an excellent video & insight to what has to be the most beautiful little bird, especially in England.

[@MikSwePhoto]

Thank you both for your nice comment 😊