Long time - no post

I've not posted anything here for quite a while now for lots of reasons including not finding the time after starting a new job. I've still been out a few times taking photos and I've got an even bigger backlog to publish than I mentioned in my last post, but I just had to put up these images of a Kingfisher which I took from Horrocks' Hide at Pennington Flash yesterday:

Whilst on a sponsored Bird Race last week, I'd learnt that the bird was becoming fairly regular on a couple of new tree branches put in front of the hide this summer.  Whilst on the Bird Race, we saw the Kingfisher but I didn't have my camera with me, so I vowed to return this week for some shots.

I turned up at about 8:15am which was roughly the time I'd seen it previously, only to be told by another birder that it had been around five minutes since but had not returned.  I stayed for another half hour but it didn't put in a appearance, so off I went for a walk round the other hides.

It was generally very quiet at the Flash, but I did get a glimpse of a different Kingfisher flying away from its perch at Pengies Hide.  It's thought that there could be up to four birds in this area at the moment.

Anyway, I thought I'd try again at Horrocks' Hide before leaving for another location.  I had no luck for ages and resolved myself to taking some photos of a Lapwing, Moorhen and finally a Grey Wagtail which landed in front of the hide.  I was just thinking of leaving when this Kingfisher chased the Grey Wagtail away and landed on the nearest perch to me. My camera was on the right settings, the bird was close and still and the light was great - I couldn't believe my luck!

So here they are, the best Kingfisher photos I've ever taken.