Sunday 14 June 2009

An Hour with Sand Martins

No Camera exif information as I don't have time. I photographed these Sand Martins using remote control from distance so as not to disturb their nesting site (which everyone sunbathes next to, about 2ft away, despite the human presence these birds just continue unperturbed). Also setting up a remote increases the chances of getting an image as you can keep an eye on the subjects whizzing around rather than be limited to the scope of the viewfinder. These are really fast, most shutter speeds of about 1/5000 sec. Well this was my first attempt if they are still around in a couple of weeks I shall retry. Technique seems to work, just needs fine tuning and patience by the bucket load.




































Saturday 13 June 2009

Swallows on Show at Hayle RSPB Hide

A visit to Hayle where some Swallows gave a great display and I even got some shots of the action. Also visited were St Gothian Sands, Godrevy and Hells Mouth. Some extra images tonight as Monday I will be away for ten days.




Swallow: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens, Aperture Priority, F4, 1/6400 sec, ISO 400, +1 Stop.






Swallow: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens, Aperture Priority, F4, 1/4000 sec, ISO 400, +1 Stop.


Swallows: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens, Aperture Priority, F4, 1/4000 sec, ISO 400, +1 Stop.

Warbler: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens, Aperture Priority, F4, 1/1250 sec, ISO 400, +0.7 Stop.



Warbler Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1600 sec, ISO 400, +0.7 Stop.





Warbler Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 400, +0.7 Stop.





Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/400 sec, ISO 400, + 1 Stop.






Mallard: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO 400, + 1 Stop.






Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/320 sec, ISO 400, + 1.3 Stop.








Shell Duck: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1250 sec, ISO 400, +0.7 Stop.









Sand Martin: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens, Aperture Priority, F4, 1/5000 sec, ISO 400, +0.3 Stop.
Peregrine Falcon: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter (840mm), Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/1600 sec, ISO 400, + 1 Stop. This was set to +1 stop in case the bird took off against a clear sky to allow for correct exposure if it flew.













The Minature World of Marazion

Things have gone rather quiet on the Marsh at Marazion at present. As a result I decided it was time to get out my macro gear which has been gathering cobwebs since new, about three years ago! On a plus point it is a lot easier to carry around with me than the 600mm lump I mostly work with. These macro shots are all hand held (should use a tripod) and as I have not shot macro images for years technique is a bit hit/miss (well that's my excuse). There was also a bit of a breeze blowing!! Reading this back it wasn't the ideal day for macro, but here are my efforts from the day.



Caterpillar: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 100mm f2.8 macro lens, MT-24EX twin flash, Aperture Priority, F6.3, 1/80 sec, ISO 400, -0.7 stop





Bee: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 100mm f2.8 macro lens, MT-24EX twin flash, Aperture Priority, F11, 1/80 sec, ISO 320, -0.7 stop



Bee: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 100mm f2.8 macro lens, MT-24EX twin flash, Aperture Priority, F11, 1/300 sec, ISO 400, -0.7 stop



Frog: Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 100mm f2.8 macro lens, MT-24EX twin flash, Aperture Priority, F10, 1/160 sec, ISO 200, -0.7 stop









Thursday 11 June 2009

Another Long Day!!!!

A early start with a couple of hours at Stithians, then off to St Gothians, Porthtowan area and rounded off the day with some Peregrine images. Ok couldn't get close to the Peregrine but I now have a photographic record so happy about that. My next efforts will be trying to capture a good shot of a Sand Martin skimming the water, all has failed so far maybe they are just to fast (for me anyway!!!)




Peregrine: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens with 1.4 tele converter, Aperture Priority,F6.3, ISO 400, 1/160 sec, +/- 0 stop













Peregrine Nest: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens with 1.4 tele converter, Aperture Priority,F6.3, ISO 400, 1/125 sec, +1 stop







Kestrel: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority, F5, ISO 400, 1/2500 sec, +1 stop





















Jackdaw: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F5.6, ISO 400, 1/800 sec, + 0.7 stop










More from Gothian Sands and Marazion

Well a fairly good day and finally the van seems to be working. Spent the day a St Gothians and then to Marazion where it was rather quiet. Any how results of the days effort are below


Wren: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/1250 sec, +0.7 stop



Robin: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/800 sec, +0.7 stop






Sand Martin: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/2000 sec, +1 stop
















Sand Martin: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, +0.7 stop



















Sand Martin: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/3200 sec, +1 stop














Jackdaw: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/3200 sec, +1 stop













Linnet: Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/2000 sec, +1 stop
















Sand Martin Exif: Canon 1d mk111, 600mm f4 lens, Aperture Priority,F4, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, +1 stop