This morning at 7, I was joined in the hide by a guest who had driven a couple of hours to get here from the City of Swindon in Wiltshire. He had come specifically to see and hopefully photograph Kingfishers after I invited him. He had contacted me to say nice things about my photographs and had asked for some tips. So there we were, sat very tightly together and it's not a good day weather wise. A bit dull and a threat of rain in the air. We had to wait some considerable time, well over an hour, before the first sign of a Kingfisher. I was getting tense and a bit nervous in case we had a blank, I know that wouldn't have been my fault but when you have made such an effort then you almost deserve to be rewarded. So when we saw our quarry albeit very fleetingly, I was relieved, and he was thrilled. What followed though, definitely made his trip worth while. The dark legged female suddenly arrived back in front of us and put on a tremendous show. She bathed and preened and stayed for a while. Mike took some good photos and he was thrilled as was I! Then our bird continued with her show, flying opposite and perching in a spot I have rarely seen her before, high on a dead twiggy branch, the remains of last years dock I think. She even did a bit of a hover for us and flapped her wings frantically at one point. Then she was gone leaving one very happy "customer" and a relieved host as well! Here are the photos. Incidentally if you would like an escorted photographic session with advice about Kingfisher photography from the hide and with an opportunity to get your own photos, then please email me and I will tell you what dates I have available and my fees etc. I have already got several more visitors pencilled in. 

She bathes for us as normal, diving in and out of the water and back to her perch.