One of my favourite subjects...

[Tell Dickinson]

One of my favourite subjects...


...the Gannet at Bempton Cliffs :)

100-400@400, 1/1600, f8, iso400

All comments good or bad appreciated :)

Tell

[Stu Bowie]

While I was in Cape Town at the end of last year, I wanted to go up the coast as there is a colony of Gannets there. I didnt get there. This is one species I really want to capture. I like the gliding posture, and you have captured a slight head turn too. Maybe a bit past you, and I would take a bit off the top, to get him away from being too central.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the gliding pose, look-back and BG. I agree with Stuart on the composition and wish the eye were lit better.

[Rich Steel]

Tell

When I saw the thumbnail I immediately thought of Bempton with that dark blue background. Its a brilliant place as you can have gannets galore without having to arrange a boat. Good pose and head angle and the exposure is well done. The lack of lighting of those lovely blue-eyes is the main draw back of the image for me.

Cheers

Rich

[Arthur Morris]

The head turn and the near wing are very pleasing. The far wing is not. He needed to bank hard for a pure top shot. Sun on gannets is difficult. Where is Bempton and how do you access it?

[Rich Steel]

Bempton Cliffs is in Yorkshire on the North-East coast of England and just to the north of Bridlington. It is the only UK mainland gannet colony. There is about 200,000 sea birds there including gulliemots, razorbill, kittiwake, fulmar, gannets and the odd puffin. A path runs along the cliff top with occasional viewing area and its a great place for flight photos. Best visited in the afternoon due to light direction. More information can be found here..

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs/

[Tell Dickinson]

Thanks everyone for your comments - most appreciated :)

Rich, yes Bempton is unmistakeable :)

Art, as Rich said re where is Bempton, if you have Google Earth installed then copy and put in...
54° 8'57.52"N 0°10'2.78"W
...thats it :) Access is really only by car or you could possibly walk if staying nearby.

Tell

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for the info, Rich. We are fortunate to have Bonaveture on this side of the pond, especially if you like the 1.8 mile walk up and down the hill. It is, however, well worth it.