This is the second instalment of images from the Newquay Pelagic on Thursday. Fulmars are always the first to smell the chum and are content to loiter round the boat all day, which is good for photography as the views are so close.
The camera settings need to be very precise when photographing from a boat. The biggest problem is the changing light situations as the birds generally fly round the boat, into the sun then out of the sun. The next problem is Exposure as the birds fly above the sea or on the sea. The Fulmar image below required Exposure set to +0.3 though the Fulmars sitting on the sea required the Exposure setting to be dropped to -0.7.
The camera settings need to be very precise when photographing from a boat. The biggest problem is the changing light situations as the birds generally fly round the boat, into the sun then out of the sun. The next problem is Exposure as the birds fly above the sea or on the sea. The Fulmar image below required Exposure set to +0.3 though the Fulmars sitting on the sea required the Exposure setting to be dropped to -0.7.
The three Storm Petrel images below show different birds in varying stages of moult. Some can show quite pale areas on the upper wing whilst others show a narrow pale bar. The light also makes a difference to colour perception.
The two images below are Balearic Shearwaters. We found two of these birds and were quite content to stay near the boat. The Balearic is by far the rarest of the seabirds in this region.
This French trawler was dragging its nets and attracted quite a number of seabirds including Gannets, Fulmars, Stormies, Manx, Balearic and Sooty Shearwaters.
Sunfish below.
Top notch Steve.
ReplyDeleteYour photography is fantastic.
John.