This was an early start in the company of fellow photographer Brad Le Brocque as we launched our Kayaks into fog covered water up near Ellalong.
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Our main objective was the Azure Kingfisher, but we knew as we moved off that we would find plenty more wildlife as the frogs were calling, and there were calls from various birdlife, with Cormorants, Darters, and Herons in big numbers.
My first target was a Darter drying its wings. I moved slowly into position and was rewarded with a number of shots before the bird lifted off, water flying as it tried to gain altitude. A great start.
We took more shots on the way up through the swamp to a place we knew the Kingfisher was working, including a Blue Heron having a bath. I could not resist this one, when suddenly an egret flew out right in front of me. I had a split second to get this shot. You have to be ready for all opportunities, so my camera was in my lap ready to go, 400 lens fast shutter speed iso auto.
I eased the Kayak through a narrow opening into a small lagoon and there they were - swans. I knew that they would have to fly straight at me as the area was covered in heavy high trees, and I was right. They came flying at me trying to gain height, and I got some good shots. This was shaping as a great morning.
Now we reached the area where the Azure was busy. We had a tree at the edge of the water picked out where the bird liked to dive from into the water below. It was always going to be a hard job as you only get a split second to nail the shot.
We parked the Kayaks, set up the cameras in a concealed area and waited. About an hour later the bird landed on our branch as planned, watching the water below looking for minnows.
One one of these days I will get the shot, but for now my mission continues.
Later that day we did get shots of the kingfisher on branches with minnows. All up a successful day.
