Kingfishers Taking Flight

This article features some handheld image runs of kingfishers taking flight near 40 Mile Creek in Grimsby Ontario. Over the years I’ve had precious few opportunities to photograph this kind of action with kingfishers. On this particular October afternoon I had four opportunities and was able to successfully photograph these kingfishers taking flight with all four of them.

In all cases the kingfishers were on the opposite bank of 40 Mile Creek which placed them further away than I would have liked. The closest kingfisher was 37.1 metres away (~122 feet), with the farthest bird being 63 metres away (~207 feet). So, the photographs in this article should be considered as experimental or test captures.

To put the following 15 photographs in context, the first image below is a full frame capture before it… and the following images… were cropped for this article. Even when shooting with a 150-600 mm M4/3 telephoto zoom lens with an equivalent field-of-view of 1200 mm when fully extended, you can see how small a subject bird like a kingfisher can be when it is 55.7 metres (~183 feet) away.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, full frame capture, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres

Now, let’s have a look at 15 consecutive handheld images captured using Pro Capture H at 60 frames per second, with Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter both set to 15. All of the following images were captured in 1/4 of a second in total.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2602 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2600 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2589 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2607 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2600 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2600 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2602 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2598 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2600 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2598 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2602 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2602 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2596 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2600 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 2598 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 55.7 metres

The subject kingfisher taking flight in our next series of consecutive images took off almost immediately after I acquired initial focus on it and began spooling images into temporary memory. This did not give me sufficient time to re-frame the subject bird towards the right hand side of the composition.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, full frame capture, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres

As you can see in the full frame capture above, the subject bird was quite small in the frame. I also had to shoot past an obstruction in the foreground. Most of the action was in the back half of the Pro Capture H image run. So, rather than show all 15 consecutive frames from this image run, I’ve included only the last eight photographs in the series. These eight images were captured in a total of 0.133 seconds. This kingfisher was 37.1 metres (~122 feet) away from my shooting position.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 3007 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 2999 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 2999 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 3014 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 3001 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 3001 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 3009 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/3200, ISO-1600, cropped to 2999 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 37.1 metres

Our third example of kingfishers taking flight shows the bird perched towards the outside edge of a tree. It was 61.8 metres (~203 feet) away from my shooting position. The full frame capture below puts the other images that follow in context.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, full frame capture, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres

Photographic opportunities like this one is when a lens like the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS really shines. The additional reach made possible with its equivalent field-of-view of 1200 mm, was extremely helpful finding this perched kingfisher in my viewfinder. Plus… the excellent Sync-IS of the M.Zuiko 150-600 enabled me to keep a single, small auto-focus point on this distant bird as I waited for it to launch into flight.

Let’s have a look at the 15 consecutive frames from this Pro Capture H image run.  Remember… this kingfisher was 61.8 metres (~203 feet) away.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2797 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2800 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2797 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2803 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2799 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2799 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2801 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2801 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2799 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2801 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2803 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2799 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2799 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2799 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2801 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 61.8 metres

The 15 consecutive images above were captured in a total of 1/4 of a second.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, full frame capture, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres

Our final sample image run of kingfishers taking flight is of a bird that was 63 metres (~207 feet) away from my shooting position. As you can see in the uncropped full frame capture above, the kingfisher was perched in a more open position. I was hoping to capture a few frames of it in mid-air and without any obstructions from branches and twigs.

Let’s have a look at the 15 consecutive photographs from this final Pro Capture H image run.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2500 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2504 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2500 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2502 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2502 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2501 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2502 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2501 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2500 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2504 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2504 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2504 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2500 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2503 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2503 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres

Pushing ourselves and our camera gear helps us define our current limits. That learning can keep us on the road of self-discovery and growth as we try to push past existing boundaries.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld with the camera equipment  noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. I had my Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter both set to 15. I used a frame rate of 60 frames-per-second with the first frame locking focus and exposure for the balance of the run. A single, small auto-focusing point was used for all of the images in this article. This is the 1,415 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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