Everything is Permuted

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

Seal of Approval

Sunday, September 6, 2009 4:06:32 PM

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 bigsmile

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

Darkogdare Sunday, September 6, 2009 4:48:19 PM

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

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

But it seems it was worth it. Nice seal bigsmile

Adele BrandSittingFox Sunday, September 6, 2009 4:48:29 PM

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 Sunday, September 6, 2009 5:10:58 PM

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 Sunday, September 6, 2009 5:14:21 PM

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... sad

Adele BrandSittingFox Sunday, September 6, 2009 5:44:28 PM

Oh dear. Have you still got your previous camera?

Words Sunday, September 6, 2009 7:45:30 PM

Of course wink

Mark JonesFlying Red Fox Blog Sunday, September 6, 2009 8:32:55 PM

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. bigsmile

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

Words Sunday, September 6, 2009 10:15:49 PM

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!

TabTabmartel Monday, September 7, 2009 1:34:28 AM

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 Monday, September 7, 2009 7:57:29 AM

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

TabTabmartel Monday, September 7, 2009 11:05:45 AM

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

Words Monday, September 7, 2009 11:23:11 AM

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

TabTabmartel Monday, September 7, 2009 12:10:12 PM

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 Endohhisamtrois Monday, September 7, 2009 1:51:23 PM

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.

TabTabmartel Monday, September 7, 2009 2:07:30 PM

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 Monday, September 7, 2009 9:26:39 PM

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 Monday, September 7, 2009 9:28:13 PM

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.

TabTabmartel Monday, September 7, 2009 9:30:24 PM

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

NeilUkwildlife Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:05:14 PM

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

Words Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:20:51 PM

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

Anonymous Thursday, October 29, 2009 9:01:14 PM

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 Thursday, October 29, 2009 9:42:41 PM

Great place isn't it.

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