Lee Brant Photography

10/12/2025

A very windy and wet session brought some of the toughest weather I’ve seen her hunt in.
Strong winds were ripping across the field, the rain was steady, and this diagonal perch was swaying more than usual.

But she was absolutely committed.

Despite the gusts, she held her balance, scanned the water below and made multiple dives for sticklebacks — completely unfazed by the weather. At one point she was gripping so tightly she was almost leaning into the wind, but she stayed put, focused and determined.

Moments like this show just how resilient these birds are… and why photographing them never gets old.
Every visit brings something new, and sometimes the wild weather gives the most dramatic images of all.

she’s been really active lately with a minimum of 10 - 15 visits a day. The next few days are looking like very promising for even more high visits.

If you’ve fancied coming to the hide then I would highly recommend coming now if you’re available.
Visit www.berkshirewildlifehides.co.uk for further details.

09/12/2025

On Sunday the weather was awful — cold wind, sheets of rain, the sort of conditions that normally make wildlife vanish. But the kingfisher didn’t just appear… she committed.
She came in around fifteen times, diving again and again, clinging to the perches in the wind, completely focused on the next fish in the pool.

This in-flight frame was taken just as she lined herself up for another dive. Watching her work the site so confidently in such tough weather really showed how much she now depends on this spot.

Sessions at the hide are consistently producing visits, dives, perch shots and chances like this.
Bookings are open for December through February, and gift vouchers are available on the website for anyone looking for something unique to give this Christmas.
(The gift cards are being very popular for Christmas presents)

Please visit www.berkshirewildlfehides.co.uk for all the details.

07/12/2025

Today I spent the morning in the kingfisher hide, I had around 15 visits and around 15 dives in four hours. I got lots of incredible perched images as it was pouring with rain. Looking forward to sharing those with you. As our female kingfisher has been enjoying the small changes I have around the hide setup, she has been spending lots more time here now and diving even more! The weather wasn’t great with poor light for diving shots but I was determined to try and get a few decent images. This is my first time of getting those diving shots and it’s highly addictive, I’m sure on a brighter day I would have got more keeper images as the autofocus was a bit slow on the sigma.

Don’t forget my hide is available to hire and my Christmas dates are available as well as gift vouchers for those wildlife photographers who are hard to buy for.

www.berkshirewildlifehides.co.uk

13/10/2025

17/08/2025

I’ll never get tired of moments like this. Sitting quietly in the hide, just watching and waiting, and then suddenly—out of nowhere—the kingfisher appears.

This is exactly why I built the hide and reflection pool—creating a place where these incredible birds feel at home, and where I can share those special encounters with others who love wildlife as much as I do.

Every visit feels like a privilege.

10/08/2025

Kingfisher on the Tap!!

Just after sunrise, with a veil of mist drifting over the wildlife pond, this jewel of a kingfisher swooped in and landed on… a tap!

At first, it came in with wings spread wide, balancing perfectly on the tap. Within seconds, it looked totally at home – scanning the water below for the slightest ripple, eyes locked in on any unsuspecting fish. The stillness of the morning, the glow of the dawn light, and that electric flash of blue made this moment unforgettable.

Nature always has a way of surprising us – sometimes the best fishing spots aren’t even branches!

A perfect blend of patience, timing, and a bit of kingfisher curiosity.

09/08/2025

First Kingfisher image from the Hide!!

This morning, just minutes after sunrise, I experienced something truly special…

From the comfort of my purpose-built hide, I had my very first close-up kingfisher encounter at the reflection pool. And what a beauty it was! That flash of electric blue against the soft golden background.

Even though the visit was brief, my heart was racing. Watching this the kingfisher scanning the water, knowing the hide design worked exactly as planned, was an incredible moment.

The reflection pool is stocked with sticklebacks, surrounded by natural perches, and positioned for perfect light — all to give photographers the best chance of capturing this elusive bird without disturbing its natural behaviour.

This shot is straight from the hide — no camo, no popup tent fuss, just pure, uninterrupted wildlife photography bliss.

Kingfisher sessions will be opening soon… Who’s ready to sit in comfort, coffee in hand, while one of the UK’s most beautiful birds lands right in front of your lens?

29/07/2025

HUGE MOMENT — The Kingfisher Landed!

Today was THE DAY.

For the first time, while I was at the hide, I heard a kingfisher so I went and sat in the hide. Then shortly after I watched a kingfisher fly in and land right on the perch in front of me at the reflection pool!

It wasn’t a quick stop either—this stunning bird perched, dived, and even hopped around the pool edge, totally at ease with the hide’s presence.

After months of careful planning, building, and hoping… the setup worked. Nature did exactly what it does when you give it space — and I got to witness it up close.

This is just the beginning. The kingfishers are discovering the reflection pool, and soon this will be a prime spot for photographers to capture these magical moments.

I can’t explain the buzz of seeing that flash of blue from the hide window for the very first time.

25/06/2025

This lovely puffing returning to their pufflin with a beak full of sand eels.

22/06/2025

Landing gear activated!!

These little puffins are incredible fast and makes it’s pretty difficult to get photos of them flying, if you wait patiently and try and work out where they are going to land then you get lucky.