How not to capture a Kingfisher!!!

Sometimes, it just isn't going to happen. It's been a difficult week with all the rain and flood warnings. At least I have been able to manage the water such that there was no local flooding. On the news I have heard there is quite a bit of flooding between Chesterfield and Matlock, with several roads under water and closed.

I feel quite exhausted as I have spent most of the last 24 hours clearing debris from the river. Today I have managed a couple of tree trunks together with tons and tons of weed.

I have only ever seen a Kingfisher twice in my life. On both occasions it was totally unexpected and unlike a boy scout, I was not prepared. I quickly turned the camera on, picked some settings I thought would work. I managed four shots. Three were totally out of focus, and this one was the best I could do.

Typical, it is out of focus and its beak is hidden by a leaf:))) The lens was still set to manual focus and not autofocus from my shots yesterday, which I hadn't spotted in time. A few seconds later, the Kingfisher had gone. There's a lesson there, but had I spent any longer checking everything, it would have disappeared.

Anyway, it is a Kingfisher!!!! I even commented on a fab one in the spotlight this morning.

I'm sorry it is not very good, just about sums up this week to date. Can't wait to jump on that 'plane on Thursday!!

Thanks everyone for your comments yesterday. I have replied but I have not had time to look at any of your journals. I really am quite exhausted. Sorry.