Birds In Flight

[Michele Nel]

I have new respect for folk that manage to capture decent shots of birds at sea. It is very difficult to focus on the bird when the boat is rocking from side to side and bobbing up and down. I found it very difficult to stabilise my body nevermind my hands and camera.... Not only that the birds tend to disappear behind the swells..so it was now I see you now I don't. And they were rather far away as well. But I gave it my best shot and was well pleased with the few I managed to capture....:)

Black-browed Albatross

Shy Albatross

White-chinned Petrel

Cape Gannet - juvenile

Cory's Shearwater.

[Dewi]

Great pics Michele.

I know exactly what you mean about keeping your body steady on a ship when trying to take pics of the seabirds. -O

If you lean on anything, you pick up the ships vibrations and spoil the shot, if you try to balance, a freak wave topples you over.

I learnt to anticipate which birds were going to veer away out of range and which ones would come close - not always successful, but got better at it given time. Still not easy to stop the action though and the added reflections from the waves makes exposure calculations a nightmare.

Looking forward to seeing some more from your trip, I was gripped off when I heard about it, wish I could have been there.

[Michele Nel]

Thank you Dewi...you were way more successful than I was though, your seabird pics are awesome !!!! Maybe one day I will consider a proper pelagic trip from CT...I am a bit nervous of those smaller boats though.
"Flock at Sea" was an awesome experience...just wonderful being part of such an exciting event. It may even get into the Guiness book of Records. I believe there were 1 116 birders on board. Unfortunately the return journey from Walvis to CT was spoilt with mist....thick mist from early in the morning until 16h00 in the afternoon....but still a wonderful experience. :)

[steamtrainfan]

Really fantastic photos Michele. Well done considering the situation.

[Michele Nel]

Thx STF...I wish you could see what ended up in the recycle bin though. I must have the best fed recycle bin this side of the equator... :)

[steamtrainfan]

Gosh, and I thought I was the only one who had to empty their recycle bin every few hours. -O -O -O -O -O

[Michele Nel]

:) :)

[Flutterby]

Awesome pics Michele!! I probably would have been hanging over the side looking a lovely shade of green!!

[ExFmem]

Bringing home the bacon...

[Mel]

Great shots! I tried them as well last October but they photos came out rats.