First time in the Broads

momji1971 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 11:31 PM

WOW! Spent a day on the broads in Norfolk on Saturday. Went out with a chap called Paul Sergent and his boat.

He mentioned we may see Kingfishers and otters. Within fifteen mins we were sat six feet from an otter casually working its way down the reed beds!
We must have seen at least fifteen to twenty different sightings of Kingfishers. One, within four feet! Unforntunately the light was grim on the saturday so I pumped the iso to 1600. Usuable but you do lose detail. Handholding a non vr 500mm on a boat is fun too!

Got some shots that came out okay though. On the Sunday we went seal watching. Whilst concentrating on bird photography I didn't notice the two large seals creeping up the tide to investigate what I was up to. Gill had been watching this and fianlly let me know when they got within 10ft!

BIG thumbs up for the broads. Gonna be back in the Winter.

regards.
Stu.

big bill · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2009, 04:58 PM

Great set of pics Stu well done ,like the Kingfishers

GTH · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2009, 05:10 PM

Superb shots...well done you !!.... there`s something about Kingfishers that is very special

david156 · #4 (**permalink**) 13-10-2009, 05:47 PM

Yes! The Broads are great.
Especially the places you can only get to by boat. You never know what you will see around the next bend in the river!

momji1971 · #5 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 08:26 AM

Thanks for looking. I fell in love with this place. Gonna go back maybe November and nail the Kingfisher shots. Hopefully the seals should have pups too.

And yes, it just a magical place. As you say, with no access other than by by you never no what's around the next bend. We had fly by's from Marsh Harrier to

Anyone got a spare boat?

regards.
Stu.

GTH · #6 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 01:03 PM

I have thought about using Paul and his boat, and wondered how the structure of the day was...and if you would have changed anything that he arranged ?

Is there anywhere that we could park our motor home in order to make the most of the experience? i.e.....could we park it overnight near ?....and as we use long lens`, would there be room for tripods?

Just a few more details of the two days you had with Paul would be appreciated !!

So glad you had what seems to be an amazing experience.

Geoff

stephen p · #7 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 09:14 AM

what brilliant sights you had! and seeing the otters!

I've been meaning to arrange a trip to the Broads, my parents went not long a go and loved it!

Was your boat trip someone you know or can anyone book a day with him?

Cheers,

Steve

momji1971 · #8 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 08:03 PM

Hi Steve, never met the guy before. Just took a chance and it payed off! £50.00 for a whole day from 8.45am-5.30pm. Fantastic.

If you'd like his details pm (I don't want to come across like an advert!

)

Always found though on trips across the country, you can maximise shooting time by having a guide with local knowledge.

regards.
Stu.