Kingfisher at Sunset – Warnham Local Nature Reserve

On the evening of 18 January 2026, I spent some time at Warnham Local Nature Reserve, staying out to catch the last of the light as the sun dropped toward the horizon. Winter evenings can produce some beautiful colours, and I was hoping for one of those moments where the light turns golden just before it fades away.

Chasing the Last Light

As the sun began to set, the light across the reeds took on that warm glow that photographers always hope for. It was one of those short windows where everything feels calm and the colours in the landscape start to deepen.

Then, suddenly, a Kingfisher appeared — darting quickly through the reeds in that unmistakable flash of blue and orange.

Anyone who has watched a kingfisher knows how fast they move. Combine that with fading light, and it becomes a real challenge to capture the moment.

Working With the Light You Have

With the light disappearing quickly, I had to push the exposure three stops under just to maintain a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the movement. It’s not the ideal situation from a technical standpoint, but sometimes wildlife photography is simply about adapting to the conditions and doing whatever you can to capture the moment.

In situations like this, getting the shot often comes down to reacting quickly and trusting your settings.

A Fleeting Moment

Despite the challenge, everything came together for a brief moment. The kingfisher cut across the reeds just as the sunset glow lit the scene, creating a striking contrast between the bird’s vivid colours and the warm tones of the fading light.

It only lasted a second or two — the kind of fleeting encounter that’s easy to miss if you’re not ready — but those are often the moments that make a day behind the camera memorable.

Wildlife photography is full of unpredictable opportunities like this, and sometimes chasing the last light of the day is exactly when the magic happens.