GrahamR
journeyman
Reged: 13/11/2006
Posts: 78
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Hi all,
An excellent piece on this weeks AP of PUFFIN photography on SKOMER island, of west Wales coast.
Just woundering if Puffin photography is still good, and worth the trip for some excellent pics during the first week of July.
I read pics are best between May-early July.
I have a week of at the begining of July and would like to visit.
Will it still be good??
I have a 70-200 2.8 Sigma with a 1.4x converter on digital.
Long enough??
Many thanks
Graham
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Hotblack
Dead Horse Flogger
Reged: 07/03/2006
Posts: 7287
Loc: Upstairs in the spare room.
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Quote:
Just woundering if Puffin photography is still good, and worth the trip for some excellent pics during the first week of July
Sorry. Don't know. I've never been that late. They're in full swing at the moment. There'll still be plenty of puffins around but the numbers feeding young may have reduced so getting the 'puffin with sandeels' shot may be harder.
Quote:
I have a 70-200 2.8 Sigma with a 1.4x converter on digital.
Long enough??
Should be. I was using a 120-300mm with a 2x converter and it was too long at times. Previously I had used a 120-300mm both with and without a 1.4xTC and a standard lens.
There is another problem however. The first time I went all the vegetation around the puffin burrows was kept low by the rabbits. 2 years ago the rabbit population was almost wiped out by a disease (not Myxi but something similar). The rabbit population is recovering slowly but the taller vegetation does mean that the puffins spend more time in their burrows rather than sitting out in the open. Around The Wick (the best place on the island for puffin action) there are more open areas so it's not too bad. Some of the burrows at The Wick are right next to the path and good shots can be had using just a standard (18-70ish) lens.
I'd still suggest going. I shot an unusually high amount (for me) of frames as there was plenty to see. And contrary to the article in AP I found a tripod useful(as do all the birdwatchers with their scopes).
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Cheers
David
David J White Photography
Edited by Hotblack (18/06/2008 20:58)
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Mikerocks
journeyman
Reged: 29/12/2006
Posts: 70
Loc: South Wales
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Make sure that you get there early, the queue for the boat is a big one on a good day. It's an amazing place to visit.
Mike
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Hotblack
Dead Horse Flogger
Reged: 07/03/2006
Posts: 7287
Loc: Upstairs in the spare room.
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Definitely get there early. A good hour or more before the boat is due to go if you want to catch the first boat at 10am. Last week I got to the landing stage at 8.20 and was about 6th in the queue (I was camping in Marloes, 2 miles down the road). By 8.45 there were at least 50 in the queue.
Also be aware that the local Wildlife Trust organise guided walks on a Wednesday. They have priority on the first boat of the day, even if they turn up after a long queue has formed. They then jump the queue to the front which causes some disquiet amongst those who got there early and don't make the first boat. However, if a very big queue has formed the first boat may well depart early (9.30am). The boat takes 50 people at a time.
It's £9 for the return boat trip (they prefer it if you have the right change), and £6 landing fee for the island. The car park at Martin's Haven is £3 for the day.
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Cheers
David
David J White Photography
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GrahamR
journeyman
Reged: 13/11/2006
Posts: 78
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Hi.
Many thanks for the replies.
Im hoping to go early next week if the weather is good.
Hope there will be an excellent photo oportunity for the puffins.
Also, I hope my 70-200 2.8 with 1.4 tele converter will be good enough on the Sony A700.
Thanks
Graham
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Boxy
enthusiast
Reged: 24/12/2006
Posts: 223
Loc: Location, Location
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Quote:
Hi.
Many thanks for the replies.
Im hoping to go early next week if the weather is good.
Hope there will be an excellent photo oportunity for the puffins.
Also, I hope my 70-200 2.8 with 1.4 tele converter will be good enough on the Sony A700.
Thanks
Graham
Did you go? How was it? Any shots to see?
I'm planning to go next week (now that summer is drawing to a close and the rainy season is starting  ) so I'd be interested in your report!
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But I'm in great mood tonight because the other day I entered a competition and I won a years supply of Marmite ..... one jar
- Clickr my Flickr-
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GrahamR
journeyman
Reged: 13/11/2006
Posts: 78
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Hi all,
Went to Skomer on Tuesday this week.
I highly recommend it to ANYONE. A superb day out, although the boat crossing was VERY rough.
Arrive early, as the boats fill up quickly. I caught the first boat that left at 9.25am.
The best place for the Puffins is the WICK location.
I believe they will only be there for another few weeks before they leave.
You can get so close, they walk past the end of your toes.
The Island is also worth a walk round. Beautiful.
I will post some pics when I have sorted through them.
Many thanks
Graham
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