Rain and Wind "So What's New"

Well nothing new,  it has been a frustrating and disappointing month weather wise and today was no exception. Today I went to Carnsew Pool again but got soaked before I even got out the car park. So gave that a miss and went to Ryan's Field cold and miserable here with the Northerly wind blowing the rain into the hide and only one gull to view. Around to Marazion Marsh which looked like a flood plain and more wind and rain.  Followed this up to Porthleven where I grabbed some pictures of the surfers and some Gulls and Turnstones featured below. Got home and the local 6pm news said we had a dry day in the region today, IDIOTS!!! I have placed my Choice Images for November here. http://www.bobsharplesphotography.co.uk/Gallery2/thumbnails.php?album=43 some have appeared on the blog others have not. Onto today's images, there aren't many but with so few blog updates at present your getting them anyway.

Exif for all images: Canon 1dMk111, 600mm lens with 1.4x converter(840mm) , Aperture Priority, F5.6, ISO 400, 1/125 to 1/800 sec, +0.7 stop

The second image of the Turnstone is slightly blurred but does demonstrate the shallow depth of field at close range of the 600mm lens.

This Gull has a treat in his beak, I think he has helped himself to one of those fat balls.

In the final image we can see the effect of the back lighting through the wings and tail feathers, shame the sky wasn't blue.

Little Grebe, Red Brested Merganser and Pacific Diver

Took the Little Grebe picture at Hayle looked rather odd Little Grebe taking on a crab.  Then got some nice shots of the Red Brested Merganser at Carnsew Pool. Also got some average pictures of the diver, light was rubbish late PM.  Double click for full size images, especially the Merganser where the razor like teeth on the bill are well displayed

Little Grebe: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, canon 600mm f4 with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm) Aperture Priority, f5,6, 1/1250 sec, +0.3 stop

Pacific Diver: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, canon 600mm f4 with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm) Aperture Priority, f5,6, 1/800 sec, +0.3 stop

Red Brested Merganser: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, canon 600mm f4 with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm) Aperture Priority, f5,6, 1/400 sec, +0.3 stop

Pacific Diver: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, canon 600mm f4 with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm) Aperture Priority, f5,6, 1/800 sec, +0.3 stop

Pacific Diver at Carnsew Pool

Hi, made my first visit to Carnsew Pool.  It was very windy with squally showers.  The Pacific Diver seemed to know I was taking pictures (or trying to ) and just stuck to doing circuit in the middle of the pool. When he eventually got close enough , just! the heavens opened, typical.  Managed to get some record shots though, not technically great in any way but no mistaking what it is.  Then got home to find my internet had been knocked out by the thunderstorms, knocking off my electrics and shorting out my satalite system also!!!!! Hence the reason why most of you will be viewing this post on Tuesday and not Sunday PM.  The images well, three of the Pacific Diver, one Curlew  and one Cormorant swallowing a large eel.

Cormorant: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400, + 0.7 stop

Curlew: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400, + 0.7 stop


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pacific Diver: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1600 sec, ISO 400, + 0.3 stop

Pacific Diver: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1250 sec, ISO 400, + 0.3 stop

Pacific Diver: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 400, + 0.7 stop

St Gothians, Hayle, Newlyn and Marazion

Well it was sunny so I had to get around and about, very little activity but the light was good so some nice images. Bumped into Rachel at Marazion and we headed off to Newlyn. Had some fun trying to get the Cormorant as he was diving almost got it in the picture below but slightly blurred (I will get it next time) Hopefully the Northern Divers will venture closer in next time.

Buzzard at St Gothians: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1250 sec, ISO 400, + 0.7 stop

Oyster Catcher Marazion Marsh: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400, + 0.7 stop

Stonechat Marazion Marsh: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1600 sec, ISO 400, +/- 0 stop

Cormorant Newlyn Harbour: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 400, + 0.3 stop

Northern Diver Newlyn: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1600 sec, ISO 400, +/- 0 stop

Frustrated by the Weather

Dark days, windy as hell, set to continue with rain thrown in for the next four/five days, just GREAT.  Still not put off ventured out on the last couple of days but my efforts were fruitless and unrewarded. (I need to stay at home on the settee more often).  Dull light and strong winds are the main obstacles,  nearly everything is holed up seeking shelter except a couple of wild birds and an idiot photographer (yes me) On the beach today at Marazion was just brill being blasted by sand and wind, and the results two images and sand all over the camera and van.  So onto the images, a Lapwing in cover at Stithians, a Gull in the open at Kyance Cove, Turnstones and a Grey Wagtail bearing the brunt of the weather at Marazion.

Lapwing: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm lens, Aperture Priority, F4, 1/320 sec, ISO 400, +/- 0 stop

Gull: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 300mm lens with 1.4 teleconverter (420mm), Aperture Priority, F4, 1/5000 sec, ISO 400, +/- 0 stop

Grey Wagtail: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 300mm lens with 1.4 teleconverter (420mm), Aperture Priority, F4, 1/200 sec, ISO 400, + 0.3 stop

Turnstone: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 300mm lens with 1.4 teleconverter (420mm), Aperture Priority, F4, 1/50 sec, ISO 800, + 0.7  stop

A look back on Scotland

Ok with the pevailing winds and weather against me today and the next few days probably,  I have decided to post some images I took in Scotland before commencing this blog. In early 2007 I joined Niall Benvie a Scottish Wildlife Photographer for three days and got some nice images.  Niall's knowledge on the whereabouts and habits of the wildlife were of great benefit. Had I not joined his photographic workshop I guess I could of spent threee days in Scotland finding nothing.  All the images were taken with a Canon 1D mk11, 600mm lens ,100mm-400mm lens and occasionally a 1.4x converter. A beanbag or tripod support were used as required.

Red Deer:  This image was shot against a dark background, so I could capture the effect of the water as the Red Deer shook his drenched fur. A slow shutter speed and beanbag were required.  I also had to wait 30 minutes for the Red Deer to decide he was to wet and needed a drying out, so  a bit of patience required.

Red Sqiurrel:  A feeding station was set up by Niall to attract the squirrels in, but it is still not easy they run in get some food and run off.  600mm lens and tripod required here.

Crested Tit:  Again a feeding station is set up. We both walk in but Niall leaves me on my own for 1 1/2 hours as he says there is a better chance of getting an image with one of us there.  I caught this one on an old Scottish Pine and I am really pleased with it.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker: Niall knew of a pair of these that used a feeding station but he was sure one had been taken by a raptor of some sort. So the chances of me getting a shot were slim, however after 90 minutes this one duly turned up. So I had a "full house" as I bagged everything I went to photograph. (Like an idiot I didn't know at the time the GS Woodpeckers are only 8 miles from me at Stithians!!)

Stithians Today

Some good lighting for photography has enabled some nice images of the local birds. (feathered type) No rarities but it would of been a shame not to use the available light after our poor weather of late. One note, I did see my first KingFisher at Stithians as it flew past the main hide window about 4ft away, great sight. No photo though! Ok onto todays images taken at the Golden Lion, Southern Cut off and Main hides. Just confirmed by Steve Rogers, that the Wigeon in the last image is thought to be an American Wigeon hybrid.

Coot: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority , F5.6, ISO 400, 1/800sec, +/- 0 Stop  taken a the Golden Lion Hide

Little Grebe: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority , F5.6, ISO 400, 1/800sec, + 0.3 Stop, taken at The Golden Lion Hide

Canada Goose: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority , F16, ISO 400, 1/100sec, + 0.7 Stop taken from the main hide

Jay: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens, Aperture Priority , F4, ISO 400, 1/3200sec, +/- 0 Stop, taken at the southern cut off.

Blackbird; Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens,  Aperture Priority , F4, ISO 400, 1/1600sec, +/- 0 Stop, taken from the southern cut off

American Wigeon hybrid: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority , F5.6, ISO 400, 1/2000sec, +/- 0 Stop, taken from the main hide