Stunning images capturing the unusual sight of a colourful kingfisher at a busy boating lake have left wildlife lovers in awe.
Tom Thorpe was lucky enough to spot and photograph the striking bird at Trenance Boating Lake in Newquay, Cornwall.
The E-commerce website specialist and photographer first got tipped off about the tiny creature after reading reports in a local Facebook group.
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Tom initially went to the lake that day with his children, but had no luck spotting the bird.
However, later that day, the 39-year-old returned on his own – and was finally rewarded.
“Usually, I only get fleeting flashes of blue, but this time I was incredibly lucky,” Tom told What’s The Jam.
“The kingfisher stayed around the boating lake and came within just a few metres of me while I was sitting on a bench, allowing me to get some shots.”
The kingfisher photographed was a female, identifiable by her orange under beak, while males have an all-black under beak.
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Tom, who has been a photographer for more than 20 years, said his passion for capturing wildlife with a lens started when he spent time photographing kingfishers with his dad a few years ago.
He said: “We spent hours in a hide photographing Kingfishers and since then, it’s been something of a dream to follow them and photograph them whenever I can.
“Seeing a kingfisher in such a busy location is considered extremely unusual.
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“Kingfishers are typically shy birds that avoid areas with heavy footfall, noise and movement.
“Trenance Boating Lake is a busy and lively spot with children cycling, people walking dogs, and lots of general activity, so it is very rare to see a Kingfisher there, especially one that is so comfortable around people.”
Tom noted that locals stopped in their tracks as the flash of blue flew past by the lake.
“It was amazing seeing how excited people were,” he added.
“It’s great to see people appreciating the nature and wildlife we have around us.”
The shots were taken on 20 December.
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