Heron on the nest and Kestrel Displaying

A good days photography, commenced at Marazion Marshes here the Heron lifted off the nest briefly and I took the opportunity to grab a shot of the two chicks in the nest. Next up was the Wren which landed on the fence next to me as if I was invisible, got a couple of pictures before he departed. Off to Hayle then onto St Gothian Sands at Godrevy. A quick refuel for me BLT and a coffee I then had a wander around the wildlife area's. Spotted the Kestrel hovering and doing a circuit three times and finally got some acceptable images getting close enough, eventually. Click on the images to enlarge

Heron with Chicks: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4 teleconverter (focal length of 840mm) Aperture Priority F7.1, ISO 400, 1/500 sec, + 0.7 stop

Wren :Exif Canon 1D MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4 teleconverter (focal length of 840mm) Aperture Priority F6.3, ISO 400, 1/640 sec,
+ 0.7 stop






Kestrel in the Hover: Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4 teleconverter (focal length of 840mm) Aperture Priority F5.6, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec,
+ 1 stop











Kestrel: Exif Canon 1D MK111, 600mm lens with 1.4 teleconverter (focal length of 840mm) Aperture Priority F5.6, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec,+ 1.3 stop

Hayle, Lelant and Marazion

I thought the Cornish weather was going to beat me today, but I managed to get a couple of hours outside late PM. Visited Hayle, The Saltings (behind Lelant Staion) and then across to Marazion. The Cormorant was on hand at Lelant to fly by twice, followed by the Swan up close and finally the Little Egrets at Marazion. Some more pictures will be posted on my website soon. (http://www.bobsharplesphotography.co.uk/Gallery2/index.php?cat=9)





Cormorant Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm f4, Aperture Priority F4, ISO 200, 1/640 sec, +o.7 stop
























Swan Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm f4, Aperture Priority F4, ISO 200, 1/1000 sec, +o.7 stop

Three Little Egret, come in formation to land at Marazion in the reed beds.

Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm f4, Aperture Priority F4, ISO 320, 1/1600 sec, +o.7 stop (I would of preferred to use +0.3 or 0 but these caught me by surprise)

Windy Cornwall 25th March 2009

Set off today intent on getting some Jay shots at Tehidy. Stopped at Stithians first for an hour all quiet there, just very windy. Got to Tehidy and had some shelter from the wind. The trees are now sprouting lots of green foilage in places and I assume most of the Jays are starting to nest and using their food supplies gathered in winter. So they were pretty scarce, shots I did get were always through trees, so most were not clean/sharp. Be another visit next year during winter though. Thought I would use one of the custom buttons on the rear of the camera to acivate the AF rather than the shutter release button. Theory is this, you focus and went focus is achieved, subject composed only then you press the shutter, useful for moving targets ie birds when the background (hence exposure ) is always changing. Unfortunately I had set this up wrong worked it out when I got home, so I will try this another day.

Squirrel Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm F4, Aperture Priority, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400, +/- 0 stop

Jay Exif:Canon 1d MK111, 600mm F4, Aperture Priority, 1/500 sec, ISO 400, +/- 0 stop

Magpie Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm F4, Aperture Priority, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400, +0.7 stop

Marazion 24th March 2009

A visit to Marazion in some unexpected good weather yielded some nice photographs. Todays subjects, Swans, Wheatear, Buzzard, Heron on nest with Chick (look closely). Used the beanbag today to support the camera on the wall to get the images of the Wheatear. The Swans were all being a bit boisterous. with each other and to our surprise there is a chick in the Herons nest (please keep your distance if going to view this) Buzzard also made an appearance as did the Sand Martins(no phots)


Wheatear Exif: Canon 1D mk111, 600mm F4 Lens, ISO 200, 1/800 sec, Aperture Priority, F4 with +0.3 Stop (Camera wall mounted with Bean Bag support)

Heron Exif: Canon 1D mk111, 600mm F4 Lens, ISO 200, 1/800 sec, Aperture Priority, F5.6 with +0.3 Stop

Swan Exif: Canon 1D mk111, 600mm F4 Lens, ISO 400, 1/3200 sec, Aperture Priority, F4 with +/- 0 Stop

Buzzard Exif: Canon 1D mk111, 600mm F4 Lens, ISO 400, 1/3200 sec, Aperture Priority, F4 with +1.3 Stop

Hells Mouth and Tedhidy

Buzzard Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm F4 , Aperture Priority, f5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400, + 0.7 stop.

A visit to Hells Mouth and Tedhidy for the day, with Mel and Leanne of Splashography. We arrived at Hells Mouth and were greeted by very strong winds, so keeping well away from the cliff edge was a good idea. I tried with a beanbag and tripod but neither method could escape the constant buffeting of the wind, still got some ok shots.

Cormorant Exif: Canon 1d MK111, 600mm F4 with 1.4 teleconverter (focal length 840mm) Aperture Priority, f6.3, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400, + 0.3 stop.

We then went onto Tedhidy to hopefully photograph some Jay. I saw them but Mel and Leanne who were slightly ahead of me both got pictures, of which Leanne gleefully showed me hers!!!! Anyway did manage to get a nice portrait of a buzzard which made the visit worthwhile.

St Gothians

A bad start when I realised I lost a screw that releases the pitch lock on the Black Widow Gimbal tripod head. A quick vistit to the van for some pliers and a screwdriver quickly remedied this though. Main focus today was to try and photograph the Sand Martins (not easy) . End of the day realised I had the camera set on One Shot AF a setting I hardly ever use. Anyway here are some results and hopefully things will get better next time I attempt to photograph them.

Sand Martin Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, F5.6 1/1600 sec with + 1.3 stop

Sand Martin Group Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, F5.6 1/1000 sec with + 1.3 stop.

"What you looking at?" Caught the resident Buzzard being carefully watched by one of the rabbits. Had to increase the depth of field here to ensure the rabbit retained focus.

Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, 1.4x converter (focal length 840mm), ISO 400, Aperture Priority, F9, 1/400 sec with + o.7 stop

Marazion and Stithians 21st March

An early start at Marazion saw me fleeced of £3 by the cark park attendant. All quiet on the marsh hence the visit to the beach car park. Here I got the shots of the Starling and the Wren. After an hour on the beach it was home for some dinner, a little bit of DIY then back down to Stithians. Used the 1.4 converter lots today this makes the 600mm lens in effect a focal lenght of 840mm, couple that with the 1.3 crop factor of the 1d MK111 sensor gives you an approx focal length of 1100mm.
Goldfinch Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, 1.4x converter, Aperture Priority F5.6, 1/800 sec, ISO 400 +0.3 stop

Mallard Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, 1.4x converter, Aperture Priority F5.6, 1/800 sec, ISO 400 +0.7 stop




Gull Exif: Canon 1D mk111, 600mm F4, 1.4x converter, Aperture Priority F6.3, 1/2500 sec, ISO 400 +/- 0 stop



WREN Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, 1.4 converter, Aperture Priority F5.6, 1/400 sec, ISO 400, +0.7 stop




Starling Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm f4, 1.4x converter, Aperture Priority F5.6, 1/1250 sec, ISO 400, + 0.7 stop

Friday 20th March Stithians

Little Grebe EXIF: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, 1/2500 sec with + 0.7 stop

Well a really long day in the the igloo of a hide a Stithians, well that is what it felt like with the icy wind blowing in.

Pair of Swans Exif: Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, 1/5000 sec, and -0.3 stop to avoid blowing out the swans plumage.

19th March Sun Down at Stithians

With the sun going down fast there was a nice golden glow across Stithians Southern Cut Off. This Heron flew in low and I managed a couple of shots.

Canon 1D MK111, 600mm F4, AI Servo, Aperture Priority, ISO 400, 1/1000 sec, and +o.7 stop.

St Gothian Sands 15th March 2009

The buzzard image was taken soon after the shellducks, again bright sunny conditions, mid morning so light was not to harsh.

Camera settings Aperture Priority, F5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400, AI Focus , focal length 840mm and exposure compensation at 1 full stop to account for the dark buzzard against the light sky

A slow start followed by a great deal of action, these two shellducks were chasing each other for quite a while, hopefully the image will give you a sense of that chase.

Shot with a Canon 1D MK111, Canon 600mm F4 lens and 1.4x converter.All mounted on a gitzo tripod with Black Widow Gimbal. Aperture priority F5.6, 1/800 sec, ISO 400, exposure + 1/3 stop with a focal length total of 840mm. Conditions were dry and sunny, mid morning.

Stithians Main Hide 28th February 2009

This image of Gadwalls was taken when the birds flew past the hide at a distance of approx 35ft. The window opening is narrow so there is no hanging the 600mm lens out, a bit of luck and accuracy with the lens is required.