Formby Squirrels

Kev Lewis · #1 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 03:41 PM

I'm planning to spend the day at Formby tomorrow (Monday 26th) as the weather forecast looks good and I have a day off so I'll nip across from Anglesey

Any suggestions or tips about the place? best viewing locations? how early can I get in?

If anyone fancies meeting up I'll be the guy crawling around in the dirt with a 600mm lens lol

Boddie · #2 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev Lewis

I'm planning to spend the day at Formby tomorrow (Monday 26th) as the weather forecast looks good and I have a day off so I'll nip across from Anglesey

Any suggestions or tips about the place? best viewing locations? how early can I get in?

If anyone fancies meeting up I'll be the guy crawling around in the dirt with a 600mm lens lol

We went yesterday Kev

It had far less squirrels than previously and all but one was in a scabby state. They were far less approachabale than before too. It was pretty damn disappointing for myself, Steve (Fourwings), Mark (MTR) and Nikon Nige

Also, the problem with a long lens is that you are not at eye level. You'd be better off with a macro, as they do come close but all but one had badly depleted tail hair

Fourwings · #3 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 05:23 PM

They are quite a challenge to get a good image of Kev, the light conditions vary wildly from bright sunny patches to murk & shadows.
Buy some of the Squirrel food from the guy on the entrance gate, you will need it to tempt them into the brighter areas if you want good bright images without having to resort to ISO800.
Andrew is right about the 600mm Kev, you won't need it in there, the Squirrels are very close to you & they move fast!
The two attached images are from yesterday, both taken with a Sigma 150 macro lens. One in a sunny patch and one in the deep shadows, also notice the one in the gloom is shedding its coat as most of them seemed to be doing.

Having said all that I really enjoyed my time there yesterday,I ended up keeping about 20 good images out of the 80+ I took, so have a good time there Kev & I look forward to seeing the results here.

paulthomas · #4 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev Lewis

Any suggestions or tips about the place? best viewing locations? how early can I get in?

Earliest I've been there is about 9:30am.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev Lewis

If anyone fancies meeting up I'll be the guy crawling around in the dirt with a 600mm lens lol

A 70-200/f2.8 would be better.

Boddie · #5 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourwings

They are quite a challenge to get a good image of Kev, the light conditions vary wildly from bright sunny patches to murk & shadows.
Buy some of the Squirrel food from the guy on the entrance gate, you will need it to tempt them into the brighter areas if you want good bright images without having to resort to ISO800.
Andrew is right about the 600mm Kev, you won't need it in there, the Squirrels are very close to you & they move fast!
The two attached images are from yesterday, both taken with a Sigma 150 macro lens. One in a sunny patch and one in the deep shadows, also notice the one in the gloom is shedding its coat as most of them seemed to be doing.

Having said all that I really enjoyed my time there yesterday,I ended up keeping about 20 good images out of the 80+ I took, so have a good time there Kev & I look forward to seeing the results here.

Thats more assured mke that I was the only one disappointed. It was for me, but I compared it to a visit when they were in better condition and far more obliging

Kev Lewis · #6 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the info folks

I'll still be there with the 600mm as I shoot from ground level alot anyway and prefer to setup a shot and then wait rather than grab what I can when it happens. I will make sure I have the shorter primes with me on the other body. I can always use the 600mm on the tripod as a lens support for the other camera lol

Boddie · #7 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 06:24 PM

Problem with the 600 is the fences Kev. You cant get down infront of the fences and to set up shots will be hard with the scant population there at the mo.

Barbara · #8 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 06:33 PM

Super images fourwings, glad you all had a good day out. I just love that place. What a change though from a few weeks ago when there where red squirrels averywhere.

Did any of you manage to spot the fox while you were

Fourwings · #9 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbara

Super images fourwings, glad you all had a good day out. I just love that place. What a change though from a few weeks ago when there where red squirrels averywhere.

Did any of you manage to spot the fox while you were

Thanks Barbara, we didn't see the Fox although a few people mentioned it to us whilst we were there.
This was my first visit to Formby point, but it certainly wont be the last

Barbara · #10 (**permalink**) 25-03-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourwings

Thanks Barbara, we didn't see the Fox although a few people mentioned it to us whilst we were there.
This was my first visit to Formby point, but it certainly wont be the last

No we didn't see it either a few weeks ago, I reckon Pauline is keeping him all to herself

If ever you guys are visiting again, me and Greg wouldn't meeting up you if you wouldn't mind