Gannets of Bass Rock

[weepete]

Got the chance to test out the new 100-400mm L II last weekend. Took a RHIB out to the Isle of May, and stopped off at Bass Rock and the UK's largest gannet colony. Photography was challenging, as there was a 3-6ft swell, and the boat was bouncing a bit, so getting a subject in the viewfinder for long enough to take a shot was a challenge. I did manage a small set though. The last isn't quite as sharp as I would like, but with a moving boat, and flying gannets it's all a bit of a punt anyway!

Bass Rock Gannets 02 by wee_pete, on Flickr

Bass Rock Gannets 01 by wee_pete, on Flickr

Bass Rock Gannets 05 by wee_pete, on Flickr

 

[Jeff1562 62]

Good shots, but number three for me ....

 

[weepete]

Good shots, but number three for me ....

Thanks Jeff15, yeah, the sky is a lot better in that one. Hopefully I'll get another crack at them next year, I'm hoping to go back when the puffins will be there. We were a bit late this year, so most of the interesting birds had gone.

 

[TonyBritton]

Excellent set! My favorites are #1 and #3. Truly amazing bird, to be sure!

 

[weepete]

Excellent set! My favorites are #1 and #3. Truly amazing bird, to be sure!

Thanks Tony, gannets are a pretty cool bird, they have a 6ft wingspan and can dive pretty deep. When you see them circling in numbers and plunging into the water like a bullet it's spectacular. We had them diving around us on a recent fishing trip, but only had my cell phone that day.

P.S. I've replaced the originals with links to my flickr, as I'd inadvertantly put in the thumbnails, so these should be better quality now!

 

[weepete]

Here's a wee video of them feeding:

20250629_100201.mp4

Gannets diving

www.thephotoforum.com

 

[jeffashman23 7]

Very nice set! And a great job considering the bouncing you must have been enduring. I like the first two with the primary subject in focus and the others just enough out of focus to make them nice shots. I like the last one for the perspective and composition.

 

[KJ_North]

Nice catch i find birds in motion are challenging at any time. Sometimes you think you captured them but the camera just didn't quite get them. Other times your surprised and you got the shot. Either way the fun is just shooting.
I like #2 the overall scene works for me.