A long awaited return visit to Bempton on monday was a little disappointing in terms of the photo opportunities with my camera and equipment!
It had been such a long time since my last visit as it is a fair distance to travel, a 190 mile round trip!
I had only vague memories and wasn't sure if my camera and equipment would capture the photo's I was hoping to take. I just couldn't remember the veiw points and distances away from the birds!
I can only imagine if you had equipment running into the thousands of pounds bracket and huge lenses or the digiscoping market, you would have been able to take photo's of the colonies on the cliffs!
I saw Puffins x 2 thanks to a kind chap who let me use his scope, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Shags but the were at such distances that my camera and lens were totally inadequate.
Also my bins struggled at times to seperate some species on the sea!
The point I'm making is if you want to get close up and personal then you need better equipment than mine LOL
I did have a great day albeit was freezing and overcast!
I did manage a few shots of the Gannets!!!
The last two photo's were fully zoomed and have been cropped several times.
The distances of the colonies are severel hundred feet below on the cliff edges, I recall a discussion several months ago started by davidmelville asking about were to take photo's of Puffins. Farne Islands is still the best place in my opinion!
As you can see I didn't manage any at Bempton, I'm sure many of the visitors that go to Bempton will capture brilliant shots even if they don't have all the equipment!
It is a truelly magnificent site to visit and to witness the spectacle of thousands of sea bird colonies is one not to be missed.
I recorded 42 species, which was rather pleasing.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Wow Buzzard!! Superb photos! I adore gannets and think that your pics are brilliant! Love the ones with nesting material. Really must get to Bempton one day... Thank you for posting!
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Hi Buzzard
Even though you probably don't think so, I think you've got some nice shots there. I like your sequence of the gannet, to me it looks like he flew into the mouthful of scrub on his way in LOL
On the cliffs, are they razorbills and kittiwakes, they obviously don't mind nesting together ?
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Nice one Buzzard! The Gannet shots are brill and it sounds like a great place. It is on the list now! Thanks for sharing. I will look in on the Bempton Cliffs group for more details, hope to see some of your shots there.
John :-)
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
Thanks Buzzard. They are absolutely brilliant photographs of the Gannets. A bird I just love to see.
Brilliant shots that tell a story themselves. Thanks for sharing
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi Buzzard,
That's a great set of photos, thanks for showing us. I like the gannet with it's landing gear down (lol!) and the one with a beak full of nesting material. Fabulous to see so many birds at once! Sounds like a good place to visit.
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
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Buzzard said:I did manage a few shots of the Gannets!!!
I love the Gannet photos and would be proud if I had taken them.
Best Wishes Chris
Best wishes Chris
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great photos there, really like your Gannet shots - ever managed a bird in flight myself :o)
I've always wanted to go to Bempton Cliffs and was considering going the first week in May when I'm off work (there's also a cruise and I'm considering that too). The distance for me is a great one - 153 miles just to get there!
Thanks for the kind comments.
Kezmo: I am pleased with the Gannet shots!
It was a bit more challenging and the conditions weren't great, so I was a little bit miffed with the weather more than anything!
The colonies in the photos are Guillemots & Kittiwakes, there are a few Razorbills and Puffins mixed in with them. But they were to far away!
curious question...although it may seem like a daft one.
How would I get on with my 400mm lens there?