A very nice shot. The combination of bird in flight in relation to those that are perched works great as does the contrast between bird and sky. The soft, diffused cloud is a bonus too and makes for an attractive backdrop.
For future reference Robert, how does one go about getting onto Bass Rock? Do you need to book in advance or just turn up on the day, how much are the boat and landing fees and how long do you get to spend on the island?
Hello Justin, I pre-booked my trip with John Wright, www.photographersonsafari.com contact him for cancellations. With John we had just over three hours on the Rock plus a 'chumming' session from the boat. Believe me, the chumming experience was great and totally manic, literally hundreds of birds diving around the boat. One big tip here... if you do the trip and follow Johns advice of shooting with a very wide lens from over the side of the boat, keep checking your lens for splashes. I had a load of spoiled shots because I had a big blob of water on the lens! There are no landing fees involved.
The other option is the trip directly from the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick which are the sole providers of boat trips now. You don't have as much time on the Rock as with John and I don't believe they do the chumming.
If you get a trip and the weather is right you'll have a great time.
Robert
Excellent composition and the deep blue sky is a real bonus. I'm not familiar with the term "chumming" but guess it means feeding the gannets from the boat. I went with the seabird centre on a photographer's charter and they also did this and, yes, it is an experience not to be missed. Hope you post some of the chaos.
This is a very nice shot, as it's good to have a flight shot with some environment as context. My only criticism is the way that the bird in the bottom left of the frame is half cropped out, although I can understand if that was unavoidable.
Really nice composition and a great deep blue sky. It would be a brilliant shot if one of the gannets on the rock had cooperated and looked up at the flying one, but that's down to luck! I'm off to North Berwick and Bass Rock next week - can't wait!
Discussion
12 repliesBass Rock
EOS 30D
Sigma 500mm
1/1500 @ f8 iso 200
Tripod
For future reference Robert, how does one go about getting onto Bass Rock? Do you need to book in advance or just turn up on the day, how much are the boat and landing fees and how long do you get to spend on the island?
The other option is the trip directly from the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick which are the sole providers of boat trips now. You don't have as much time on the Rock as with John and I don't believe they do the chumming.
If you get a trip and the weather is right you'll have a great time.
Robert
Thanks a lot, that's a big help.
This is a very nice shot, as it's good to have a flight shot with some environment as context. My only criticism is the way that the bird in the bottom left of the frame is half cropped out, although I can understand if that was unavoidable.
Cheers,
Dan.
Nice shot Robert , agree with Justin's comments , top shot
Andy...
As has already been said pity about the lower left bird. but thats a minor nit.
Major.
I am sure it was a great expirience for you.
Greetings,
Bertl
Only nit for me already covered - otherwise a very nice image indeed
Matt