Farne Islands - Birds and Seals Photo Opportunity, Sunday June 20th 2010, 7:0

[Steve]

 

Folks

Don't build your hopes up about the mini bus! At the moment it looks as though I won't be going on this trip - I'd love to be there but I don't think it's going to be possible.

Steve

[Tom Anthony]

I would like to go by bus but as Steve says it may not be possible then I will take my car. Anyone wanting a lift let me know.

[angelsj]

If the bus isnt going, can I possibly get a lift from someone please by the looks of things my car going to be off the road for another few months

[Willie]

Hi All,

I have it at 14 members wanting to go, with George and Louise as possibles. The 14 are - Willie and Deb, Stuart, Sara-Jane, Jim, Fred and Vera, Hugh, Ian (Mac), Dougie and Blair, Robert, George (R) and Tom.

It doesn't look like we will now have access to the bus, as previously planned. Those in Bold have indicated that they would be willing to take their car and/or possibly share. That is 4 vehicles, with 14 members (4 per car = 16), so this should be fine. If we are willing to share the petrol and the parking (Fred reports that the day (council - Pay and Display) parking is very reasonable), it should not be that much.

Louise is attending a nature photographic workshop there on the following Tuesday - too bad it is not the previous Tuesday Louise, as you could let us know all the great locations and save us some time. But I'm sure by the end of the day, we will know them all - by ourselves! Part of the fun is discovering where to set up your camera for a good shot.

I know that Fred and Vera have been before, has anybody else been to the islands? That could share some tips?

I can think of two, with a telephoto lens, set your camera to (A) - aperture preferred, and an f-stop of around f-5.6 to f-8, and with bright conditions the camera will adjust the shutter speed accordingly. You should get a fairly fast shot, which is what is needed to freeze the birds and get a super sharp image with a reasonable depth of field. Hopefully you have a fast shutter speed as (a minimum) equal to the millimetres of the telephoto lens. i.e. 1/200th sec for a 200mm lens or 1/500th sec for a 500mm lens.

If it is a dull day, increase the iso (film/sensor sensitivity) to around 400 or 800 iso and set your camera to shutter priority (S) - and a shutter speed around 1/200th of a second (for a 200mm lens) and the camera will now adjust the aperture accordingly, and hopefully you will get enough "depth of field" to get a sharp image.

In both cases a tripod (and a slow moving bird) always helps.

Best - Willie

[angelsj]

thanks for info Willie,

willing to share costs of petrol and parking

looking forward to it

[Dougie]

I have no problem driving, got a Ford Focus, I'll have my son Blair and two others if that helps?

[Margaret]

Hi, I'd like to go on this if still possible to get a place. Thanks  Margaret

[craigt]

I'd like to come along too, if possible (Dougie, you mentioned you might have a space in your car -- Yes please if it's still free).

When are you all aiming to set off and return from the trip?

Thanks

Craig

[Willie]

UPDATE - It now stands at 17 members going, with Gordon, George and Louise as possibles.

The 17 are - Willie and Deb, Stuart, Sara-Jane, Jim, Fred, Katie and Vera, Hugh, Ian (Mac), Dougie and Blair, Robert, George (R), Tom, Margaret, and Craig.

Those in Bold have indicated that they would be willing to take their car and/or possibly share. Details of the trip are in the opening post. (Sunday June 20th 2010, 7:00am - 6:00pm). Please go over them. If you need a lift and have not made arrangements as yet, and are willing to share petrol and parking costs, please contact one of the members that are indicated bold (above). Payment to Fred for the boat trip is still scheduled for the end of May.

Best - Willie

[Gidders]

Interested in this trip but it all  depends on my caravan exploits in June and the dates I book up. Bob Smith the guy at Gorebridge may be i9nterested as well. Happy to take a car.

Ian

[Dougie]

Not a problem Craig, we'll get the times arranged nearer the day.

[Stuart R]

HI Guys and Girls

I have been before and can provide a few tips

Wear or take a warm waterproof jacket in a rucksack. It gets cold going out and you need to be careful of salt spray on your camera
The jacket MUST have a hood or you MUST wear a hat or balaclava. The terns will still be nesting and they WILL!!!!! attack you on the head or "Dive-Bomb" you- honestly on the trip I was on I saw several people with blood trickling down their faces.
Stout walking shoes are a must - the Puffins nest in holes in the ground and it is easy to fall and trip in these holes

You get very close to everything and you probably only need one camera and one lens - 18-200 or 70 - 200 with or without VR is fine. keep the gear light - you don't need a multitude of lenses or other gear

Up to you if you take a tripod but its not really needed and its one more item to carry - simple bean bag is good and doesn't take up a lot of space. I use one of these - http://www.thepod.ca/red%20pod%20page.html. Why?? It has a screw which you can screw into the camera but I usually screw it in to the tripod foot of the lens. Means you can put your lens down anywhere without damage - I recommend "The Pod"

Apart from that and the warning about the Dive Bombers - Have fun and take loads of pickies!!

Cheers

Stuart

[Willie]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for emphasising these points! Most of them are covered in the opening post, but it is a good reminder for everyone to go over the post before heading out for this trip. Talk about getting close to the birds - those beaks look very pointy! - best - Willie

[angelsj]

thanks for info stuart

[craigt]

Sorry guys, can no longer make it on this trip.
Hope you have a good day and get some worthwhile pics!  Take a few for me

Craig