Gannets Fighting

Gannet rivalry, Bempton, England.

Canon 20D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender

The broad cliff ledges and stacks at Bempton coastal reserve, England, in the breeding Gannet world is real-estate worth fighting for.

Skirmishing, stealing nest materials and attacking incoming birds are all par for the course.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Riding the gale

Gannet riding the gale, Bempton, England.

Canon 50D + 300 2.8. Hand held. 400ASA

From the clifftop footpath, these birds were marvellous to watch, mastering the strong cliff updraughts.

However, being reletively close, fast and very sun reflective, photography of them was a different matter.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

North Sea Gannet [Juveniles]

Gannet [juvs], Bempton, Yorkshire, England.

Canon 10D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender.

In summer, when it is quieter along the clifftop footpath, Gannets tend to land near the clifftop, allowing for easier photography.

While adults collect grasses for their nests, juveniles rest and observe the goings on.

These juveniles will be 5 years old before attaining the pure white of adulthood.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Skomer Flier, Wales.

Canon 20D + 100-400mm. Hand held.

An unpaired Puffin cruises along the clifftop on Skomer Island, eyeing up the talent on view.

Nearby, courting birds are engaged in burrow inspections and carrying around objects, hoping to attract a mate.


Copyright: Kevin Smith

Puffin courtship. Skomer Island. Wales.

Puffin carrying courtship present.

Canon 20D + 100-400mm lens. Hand held.

Unpaired Puffins on Skomer can be seen parading around, carrying objects and vegetation in order to attract potential mates to inspect nearby nesting burrows.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Small Copper. England.

Small Copper butterfly, Sheffield, England

Canon 10D + 75-150mm Canon FD lens. [adapter ring]

A small jewel of a butterfly rests on a grassland stem long enough to capture an
image using the hybrid combination of new EOS digital body and older FD manual lens.

The result is encouraging.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Cheetah Profile

Cheetah, Masai Mara, Kenya.

This cat was encountered walking along a sand road within the Mara reserve.

We assumed it was hunting and looked for a possible vantage point it might use.

Luckily we guessed correctly, positioned ourselves in advance and the cat did the rest.

Film days: Olympus OM1 + Sun 38-90mm zoom. Slide scan to CD.

Copyright: Kevin Smith