Thursday 11 January 2018

RNLI and Coastguard Night Exercise

Our rescue services often train together to hone/polish their skill set, this was one such occasion. Problem for me was this time it would mostly be dark and I would have no idea where the lifeboat/helicopter would be positioned, hence I set up with my 500mm lens. Exercise commenced and the Penlee Lifeboat and Bristow SAR helicopter from Newquay positioned themselves to close to me during their first pass (aargh!!!!) Could of done with a 200-300mm lens not a 500mm!!! Still had to make do with what I had. This was going to be testing as it soon got dark, very dark.  The ISO was soon being turned up the scale from 20000-51,200 ISO. (sure the camera can see in the dark better than I can) As a result of pushing the ISO images are somewhat noisy but on the whole not bad for a night shoot full of action.

Coastguard Helicopter G-MCGY

Penlee Lifeboat "Ivan Ellen"

Coastguard Helicopter winching to lifeboat

Coastguard Helicopter hi-line transfer to lifeboat

First Aviation visit to RNAS Culdrose in 2018

Well it was a sunny day with the odd grey cloud (mostly in the phots) so a quick trip out to get some shots.  Only the local aircraft around, sadly no visitors. But the good light and patches of blue skies make the photography much more pleasing on the eye.

BAE Hawk T1 of 736 Squadron

Merlin MK2 Helicopter of 814 Squadron "Flying Tigers"

Beechcraft KingAir 350 of 750 Squadron

Beechcraft KingAir 350 of 750 Squadron

Merlin MK2 Helicopter of 814 Squadron "Flying Tigers"

BAE Hawk T1 of 736 Squadron

BAE Hawk T1 of 736 Squadron

Friday 5 January 2018

Dipper at Kennal Vale

Well a trip to Kennal Vale was worth it.  I knew the dippers were up and down the river just a question of picking a spot waiting and hoping. After about an hour and a half I considered moving as I had not seen anything. However patience paid off I stayed in one spot and was rewarded by 2/3 visits. First visit was quite good until the first dog walker turned up and his furry companion decided to go for a swim which sent the dipper up river!!!! Still got lucky and got another two visits in my chosen spot. Witnessed some feeding, bathing, preening etc, amazing little bird to watch. Light level were low for photography due to the deep valley type location with its high tree canopy blocking light, resulting in ISO of up to 20000 being used at times. (So apologies if the image quality is not that high) All in all a very good 2-3 hour visit, and will be returning in the future. Onto some of the images.








Monday 1 January 2018

New Years day visit to Stithians

First outing in 2018. Off to a good start with a Mandarin Duck although some distance from the camera in poor light. Light was challenging at times but the sun did make some welcome brief appearances. Nothing unusual today no rarities I am afraid. Still here are some of the birds that did pose for the camera!

Blue Tit

Moorhen

Grey Wagtail

Coal Tit

Mandarin Duck

Great Tit

Hedge Sparrow

Great Spotted Woodpecker