Some old outtakes and mistakes

 

Having a look through some of those side-lined shots that could have been okay, but were a bit `out` on that split second.

This is a classic moment where things could have all come together to make a good shot, but my depth of field was just too shallow. This image needed a slightly greater depth of field (only a smidgin`) just to get the eyes sharp as well as the bill. I was, believe it or not, aiming for that head-on shot, got bang on with the bill and gape, but blew the shot with the eyes not being perfectly sharp. 

It`s not so obvious at this size, but not good when seen at a larger resolution.

I always work manually on exposure, and I was probably trying not to blow the whites, for example the facial whites can become almost soft grey at an angle. Therefore I try and control my ISO, but on this occasion I ended up selecting a slightly narrower aperture than I should have used, so very tricky to balance off exposure.

Very often on a Puffin you also get unequal brightness of the whites on the bird, so again in this case I got it right for the `face portrait`, but the whites on the front of the bird (a nightmare in summer sun) where `blown`, so this shot - along with some others - got put to one side!

It happens to us all at some time or another. The shot could have been a good one, but ended up being allocated to the shots that might have been binned.

Cancer challenge update

 

Thank you so much for everyone who has donated so far towards my 100 push-ups a day to raise money for Cancer Research UK during April. Such a great response - thank you! 

If you haven`t read "My Story" on the Giving page, I am not only ding it for Cancer Research generally, but in memory of our Dad, who passed away last June. Dad had an aggressive skin cancer along with a number of other health issues, but it was that that eventually took him, and it was very sad to witness his final week in particular.

Due to having a full radial nerve rebuild in my left arm following removal of a nerve-sheath tumour, I am doing the "wall push-outs", which are painful enough, but I am doing them in two blocks of 50 each day.

Spread the word, because if anyone else can give towards Cancer Research that would be really appreciated.

Thank you

Rare Puffin photographed

 

I feel privileged to have caught this extremely rare and candid shot of a special returning Puffin that has landed back for breeding showing bioluminescence picked up from the South Wales surf.

The Puffin variant, with the scientific name `Stultus Aprilis`, might be the only image taken before it heads into the burrows for breeding.

Puffin return to land to breed this time of the year after spending the winter out at sea. They come in their thousands to Skomer Island along with a few other places like it`s neighbour Skokholm, but some birds wander around the coast to other locations too.

At this time of year, the warming currents can bring in bioluminescent plankton, creatures in the sea that can emit light when disturbed by the motion of surf. I happened to catch this Puffin at an undisclosed location showing evidence of bobbing in the surf the night before.

Their behaviour, which can affect the colouration of their bill, has given them their own scientific name.

This very rare photo of the variant Puffin.

A true one-off!

Happy Easter

 

It`s Easter Sunday morning, and would just like to wish you a happy Easter day. 

It`s been a week or so more or less away from the camera, my only venture out being yesterday down to Ginst, which turned out to be just a few hours, and then, very very quiet.

So back at WWT, what have I missed? The single Great Crested Grebe is still hoping it`s mate will turn up, bless it. Time is ticking on a bit now. Let`s hope it will settle for breeding soon. 

Other things have been Kingfisher pairs finding their territories, the Pallid Harrier being occasionally seen still from the British Steel hide, the otters showing on occasions, and more recently a Little Gull being viewed from the Boardwalk hide. Lots more too, so plenty happening.

I`m looking forward to the next Walk, having missed the last one. It is due to take place on Saturday 20th April, but keep an eye on their website just in case there are any changes.

Happy Easter Day to you all.

Maundy Thursday

 

Had a powerful and evocative service for Maundy Thursday last night at St.Gwynogs, reminding us all of the significance of the lead-up to the crucifixion.

Maundy Thursday often gets "lost" in the Easter weekend, so it was good to have time to reflect on the full picture of the Easter story.

Thanks to the Rev.Capt. Rob Lowe for all the preparation involved and the vision to pull everything together - the pop-up Garden of Gethsemane, the organisation of the meal of cawl and bread for sharing together, all the music, lighting, and just about everything else. 

Thanks Rob.

Work due at WWT Llanelli

 

Just a reminder to keep an eye on the WWT Llanelli website for the latest information about work on the Reserve.

Currently on the Deep water lake area there are a pair of Kingfisher setting up home on a mud bank close to the Heron`s Wing hide. There`s also a Great Crested Grebe waiting for it`s mate to arrive, and has already built an initial nest. Med Gull are also on the rocky island, hidden amongst the Black Headed gull.

If you are fortunate, there is a reasonable chance of seeing up to three Otter swim through from the Peter Scott hide area, particularly from mid to late morning. (They can roam throughout the waterways of the Reserve, and I had fresh Otter prints close to the reedbeds on my checks last weekend).

A few Sand Martin and the first Swallows have just arrived, and you can now hear Chiffchaff, Cetti`s, Reed Bunting etc singing and calling across the Reserve. Spring is beginning to bring things to life.

See you back there soon.

Palm Sunday - and looking back on the week

 

After spending most of the last week gloss-painting around the house (it has to be done), it was good to spend just a short time on Friday catching up with some Short Eared Owls again before they head off soon. With a wet week ahead forecast, it might have been my last chance to see them until next winter, who knows. 

The SEOs will be heading off to Scandinavia and the Low Countries, with some maybe heading for the moorland of North of Britain. You never know, the odd one may stay `local` and head for Skomer.

It was good to be back at WWT Llanelli yesterday, and bumped in to many visitors I know from previous occasions. BTW, the Heron`s Wing bridge & hide and the Peter Scott hide remain open until after Easter, the contracting work having been delayed. 

During the last week, i`ve been doing more `push-ups` practice ready for April, albeit the less strenuous versions (knee and wall ones) to prevent damage to my arm. So far i`ve stuck to the discipline of doing 2 x 50. I am so grateful for all the donations received so far - thank you.

We had a make a tough decision early in the week. We were looking into adopting another rescue cat to fill the big paws of Oreo, who passed away in January. A lovely tabby and white who would have fitted in really well, but he had an unfortunate medical history that, more likely than not, would require ongoing treatment on and off possibly for the rest of his life. With insurance not covering pre-existing conditions, it was so sad to make the decision of being unable to take him on. Hopefully his "forever home" is out there, and he will settle into a loving home soon.

Last Wednesday we had another busy night at the Soup kitchen, around 30 people, and as usual we are very grateful for all the donations of non-perishable food we receive. It`s only by that ongoing support that the work can continue long term.

It`s Palm Sunday as I blog this today, the start of an important and significant week in the Christian calendar. I`m looking forward to the additional services at St.Gs this week for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday - but I promise i`ll still be squeezing in the practice for the fundraising in April! I must start one of my New Year`s resolutions too, losing that weight which i`ve been promising myself for over a year now. (just one of a number of resolutions "carried forward" from the previous year!)

It`s nearly 7am, i`ve been up again since 04.30am, so time for the first bit of exercise in a minute to blow away those cobwebs.

Have a good one, and Happy Easter everyone for next weekend.