Gannets are great but you can't beat a good Shag

Roen

Yoink.....



.....and Yoink!



Was off on the Saltees for a day today, is a smashing place. Off to the pub now so I can't elaborate more.

Valentia

Smashing shots. Must pay that place a visit.

No pub for me. Not long home from last night

Carrigman

Excellent shots. How does one get out to the Saltees?

Roen

Hi Carrigman,
this is cut and pasted from a post in the Wexford forum.

jd wrote:

Declan Bates is the man you are looking for

An Crosan

Skipper: Declan Bates
Licence: 312 Expires: May 2007
Address: Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford.
Telephone: +353 53 9129684 or +353 87 529736

original_psycho wrote:

Have been meaning to do that as well for a while. I go to Kilmore on a regular enough basis, I think its nice both in Winter and in Summer.

Can you post up the details, ie cost etc. when you get them?

As jd said Declan Bates is the man to talk to. The cost is €22 for the return trip, and worth every penny I must say. There's nothing on the islands as such so you have to bring everything with you, food, water,sun block, bog roll etc. The only thing to watch out for is rabbit holes, you're bound to go down one or two at least and if you do yourself a mischief you could be waiting a while.

The amount of bird life on the place is stunning! Even if you're not into that kind of thing it's hard not to be impressed. The seals there are also very inquisitive and come quite close to you.

And here's some more of the shots.

Quackles

Holy crapweasel.. excellent shots.. Well worth the bring your own bogroll trip! Well done!

rymus

I foresee myself taking a trip to Wexford in the near future... Lovely shots!

sineadw

Jesus but they're gorgeous shots Roen. What lens were you using? Pin sharp

Roen

It's well worth a visit, boards meet anyone?
I'm not sure exactly what lens was used on what body Sinead but it will be a 70-200 ƒ2.8L IS or a 300 ƒ4L IS on a 5D or 20D. I gave my mate the 300 for most of the day so I missed a huge amount of shots.....that's why I am eager to return!
You can get very close to the birds but I avoided doing so as they are nesting at this time of year. Pack your long lenses

Valentia

Roen wrote:

It's well worth a visit, boards meet anyone?

I wouldn't miss that one. Great idea.

rymus

Roen wrote:

boards meet anyone?

If you organise it, they will come...

JMcL

Brilliant shots Roen, great work

Roen

rymus wrote:

If you organise it, they will come...

Hmmmm I'm more of a doer than an organiser. But....that said, if I'm going to do it it will have to be soon, certainly within the next four weeks.

Anyone that is interested knows the score by now as regards cost and what ye need. Long lenses are a must, the longer the better tbh if you are to avoid pissing off nesting birds. That said it's no slouch for landscapes either!

Some more reading on the matter.

More info for ye. And in particular this page

rymus

curses... finally an excuse to get that bigma

JMcL

rymus wrote:

curses... finally an excuse to get that bigma

Hey, why compromise, get one of these, you know you want to . Might destabilise the boat, but what the hell!

rymus

I'd be more worried about destabilising the earth's axis to be honest