Kingfisher

Due to the super icy weather conditions and the cloudless forecast I opted against my planned trip to the Yorkshire Dales and headed to the RSPB Fairburn Ings again with my new lens. I got to the reserve pretty early and headed straight for the Kingfisher screen. 

As I was approaching I could see through the slots that there was a Kingfisher in prime location on the stake in the middle of the weir. I stopped and started to ease my rucksack off to get the camera out before approaching the screen, but unfortunately the Kingfisher fluttered off down the stream to settle in one of the bushes, which is where I captured this shot. I must have spent about 15 minutes watching the Kingfisher before he flew off further along the stream and then out of sight. 

This was only the second time I have seen a Kingfisher at this spot. I'm planning to go back a little earlier tomorrow morning to see if I can catch a repeat show with front row seats.

I had a walk along the river bank, but despite the frostiness it was still pretty boggy. At one of the other hides I saw a Long Tailed Tit and a pair of male Bulfinches, and in the distance I saw a Buzzard feeding on a fence post. There was also the usual cacophony of noise from the Tree Sparrows in the bushes around the main feeding station.

Thanks for the comments and stars on my recent blips.