Source: Mailonline
Stories
Photographer Charlie Hamilton James has been obsessed with the kingfisher since the age of six.
From a hide attached to the old millworker's cottage near Bristol where he lives with his wife, TV host Philippa Forrester, he has spent thousands of hours photographing the elusive bird.
JANUARY 9: I saw the female shine like a blue jewel against the murk
FEBRUARY 29: Today the female whistles as the male catches a fish. He leans into her, offering it. She grabs it, and after a tussle the birds break free
MARCH 23: Over a few hours, I witness three matings. The male steadies himself by grabbing the female by her head feathers. The act can last a minute
APRIL 4: For almost two hours, males from two territories chase each other up and down the river, sometimes settling on a perch where they lock in strange poses, seemingly in a trance
APRIL 15: When it dives, the kingfisher flaps its wings a couple of times to gather speed. Just before entering the water, it tucks in its wings and hits the surface like a dart. I had to be quick with my trigger finger to catch it on camera. Air clings to the kingfisher underwater, helping to keep it dry and aiding buoyancy
APRIL 15: Success! The male emerges from the water with a fish. He kills it by bashing it on a branch, swallows it, shakes himself and then turns to hunt again
JULY 19: The chicks must be growing well - both male and female have been busy flying to and from the nest since first light. My set-up is fairly elaborate but the kingfishers are being very co-operative, completely ignoring all the kit and flashes
Stories
Photographer Charlie Hamilton James has been obsessed with the kingfisher since the age of six.
From a hide attached to the old millworker's cottage near Bristol where he lives with his wife, TV host Philippa Forrester, he has spent thousands of hours photographing the elusive bird.
JANUARY 9: I saw the female shine like a blue jewel against the murk
FEBRUARY 29: Today the female whistles as the male catches a fish. He leans into her, offering it. She grabs it, and after a tussle the birds break free
MARCH 23: Over a few hours, I witness three matings. The male steadies himself by grabbing the female by her head feathers. The act can last a minute
APRIL 4: For almost two hours, males from two territories chase each other up and down the river, sometimes settling on a perch where they lock in strange poses, seemingly in a trance
APRIL 15: When it dives, the kingfisher flaps its wings a couple of times to gather speed. Just before entering the water, it tucks in its wings and hits the surface like a dart. I had to be quick with my trigger finger to catch it on camera. Air clings to the kingfisher underwater, helping to keep it dry and aiding buoyancy
APRIL 15: Success! The male emerges from the water with a fish. He kills it by bashing it on a branch, swallows it, shakes himself and then turns to hunt again
JULY 19: The chicks must be growing well - both male and female have been busy flying to and from the nest since first light. My set-up is fairly elaborate but the kingfishers are being very co-operative, completely ignoring all the kit and flashes
