Yesterday morning, a friend phoned to ask about the Kingfishers at Lackford Lakes SWT Suffolk and said he was going there in the afternoon to try his luck. With it being too hot to do anything else, I asked to go along with him, despite being quite successful there last week - can't have too much of a good thing!!!

Arriving at around 3.00pm, there were already several photographers there but no Kingfishers. The only close signs of birdlife was a Grey Heron patrolling in front of the hide for the odd Stickleback and then retiring in the heat to the island to cool off using a most unusual pose

and with the odd amusing moment

The downside was that the Kingfishers were wary with the Heron so close and only put in a brief appearance with some fishing but keeping their distance so I did not manage any better shots than last week.

Only one was worth keeping and that is far from ideal

As I have said once before, the Canon 7D is showing it's age now. The Kingfisher was at a distance that made it necessary to use the 1.4x converter giving an aperture of f5.6. With the ISO set at it's highest point that I feel comfortable with due ti noise levels, ISO640, there was insufficient speed to freeze the action for a sharp shot. Others with the Canon 1DX and 5D MK3 were able to shoot at ISO3600 or higher and get the shutter speed required.

I am still not tempted to swap to a full frame camera preferring to wait for the 7D MK2 as, in my view, the crop sensor has considerable advantages for my style of bird photography. The latest rumours indicate an announcement towards the end of 2013 with shipping early 2014. With the 70D now announced with an upgraded spec, it seems that the 7D MK2 could be pushed further upmarket which would suit me fine.

Still, my patience with Canon is wearing rather thin at present as I have had the 7D for nearly 4 years now and it is definitely due for a change as yesterday proved.

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