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Tales of a South Downs fox... and other ramblings

Seal of Approval

Sunday, 6. September 2009, 16:06:32

We're just back from a wonderful five day trip to St David's in Wales... more photos (and video) to follow over the next few days, plus a brief lesson on why not to introduce a DSLR to sea water. In the meantime, while I sort out the photos, transfer them to my main machine, start sorting through everything, and take the camera in to see if it can be repaired, here's one of the reasons we went :D

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: taken with a sea-soaked Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens, from a none too steady boat.

Blue skies and calmer seasWildlife at St Davids (the smallest city in Britain) - Pt 1

Comments

Darko 6. September 2009, 16:48

"plus a brief lesson on why not to introduce a DSLR to sea water"

I can imagine :insane:
So, what was this time, another tidal wave you haven`t noticed? :whistle:

But it seems it was worth it. Nice seal :D

Adele 6. September 2009, 16:48

Wonderful! I love their noses. He almost looks like he's smiling!

I hope the camera recovers, and I also hope that you weren't seasick :wink: I have unhappy memories of my own from using a zoom lens on a boat in the Pacific :yuck:

Words 6. September 2009, 17:10

Darko, you'll have to wait for the 'sea water' escapade, but it wasn't a tidal wave. Stupidity on my part perhaps, but not a tidal wave :wink: Well worth it though.

Words 6. September 2009, 17:14

Adele, the seals were great (plus I have some shots of pups somewhere). :smile: I think the camera will need to go in to the camera-hospital for a check over and some radical treatment. It can just about see a lens, but can't read it and none of the menus will come on. It's been drying out for about 30 hours now... :frown:

Adele 6. September 2009, 17:44

Oh dear. Have you still got your previous camera?

Words 6. September 2009, 19:45

Of course :wink:

Mark Jones 6. September 2009, 20:32

Wow i thought you were quiet for a few days hehe P: Hope you can get your camera fixed, its very tempting to use it at the beach, i did today carefully during a family walk, i usually use the cheaper Fuji. :D

Hope you enjoyed Wales, Manchester was mostly wet and cloudy this time round but i had fun still yay!

Words 6. September 2009, 22:15

Mark, I'm going to see about getting the camera fixed tomorrow (it'll take a while though). Meanwhile I've got a spare. Weather was very windy, and some rain too early on. It was a good break though, and once I've sorted out the photos I'll start posting them. Took lots of video too! Glad you had a good time in Manchester despite the weather!

Tab 7. September 2009, 01:34

Happened to my camera. Sea salt got to it. Thankfully that was before DSLR'S existed. The thought of my DSLR being damaged that way makes me shudder. Good luck with your camera!

Words 7. September 2009, 07:57

Thanks Tab. It's an unavoidable hazard I guess, and at least the photos survived!

Tab 7. September 2009, 11:05

The seal is gorgeous!
I want to go to Quebec and shoot the migration of the beluga whale on the St Lawrence seaway.

Words 7. September 2009, 11:23

That would be some trip! But get waterproof casing for the camera :lol:

Tab 7. September 2009, 12:10

Yeah..no.kidding. I am very attached to my DSLR
Not much of a trip for me lol..It's a two or three hour drive.

Sam Hisamitsu Endoh 7. September 2009, 13:51

A pretty seal. It must be a girl with whiskers.
I've seen a seal swimming in the Pacific Ocean at the Boat-Ride of L.A.
Between us the distance is too long to shoot it with 300 mm lens.
So I envy your picture a little.

Tab 7. September 2009, 14:07

It is a fantastic shot. The seals I saw were also too far to shoot with my 18-55 lense. I need to get a 75-300 lense. It's on my "when I can afford it" list.

Words 7. September 2009, 21:26

Sam, thanks! I think that one was quite close to the boat, but most of the shots I got were from quite a distance. Some of them are quite nervous, but a few did come out to investigate the boat.

Words 7. September 2009, 21:28

Tab, ues a 300mm lens would work work fine at the distances we were at. Plus a zoom for this sort of thing is perfect because you can get shots which show a bit more of the environment. The main seal shots will be posted in a couple of days or so.

Tab 7. September 2009, 21:30

Yup 300 mm is a must have..for sure.

Neil 10. September 2009, 20:05

Oh excellent - ive been planning a seal trip today, perhaps to donna nook

Words 10. September 2009, 20:20

Neil, the seals were fabulous. I think pupping season may be slightly later there as well.

Anonymous 29. October 2009, 21:01

Rats writes:

just got back from a trip round Ramsey Island myself (mid october) and there were seal pups on the shore, some still in their whitecoat.
That part of Pembrokeshire a beautiful place and I fully recommend
a boat trip

Words 29. October 2009, 21:42

Great place isn't it.

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