Puffin photography advice

[jcurtis]

Hi, I am off to Skomer for three days (two nights) in late May to photograph puffins etc. I have one or questions that I am sure you can help me with.

I gather the best place to head for is the wick when photographing puffins. How do I get from the accodation in the island two the wick? Any good maps available other than the blue map supplied by the wildlife trust.

How have you handled the issue of getting your exposures correct in bright conditions considering the black and white colouration of our little friends?

If anyone has stayed on the island I would be interested to hear what kit you have packed in the past and what clothing, food, water you have packed too. I will there for three days, two nights.

Proposed kit includes two bodies, 300mm f2.8, 70-300mm f4 - 5.6 lots batteries and cards, tripod with gimbal, bean bag, battery chargers and camera/lens waterproof cover.

Any advice you can give will be welcome.
Any tips and advice will be welcome.

[Chris Hawes]

From the accommodation, there are four routes leading N, S, E, and W. You need to take the South path to get to the Wick - but it's a small island, and will only take you 5-10mins.

I stayed for two nights a few years ago, and just took some basic camping style packs of food (rice, pasta, packets of curry, sauce etc to heat up). There is a kitchen well stocked with pans and utensils. You'll be fine with the gear you have planned. What you take in the way of clothes I guess will depend on the weather forecast, but make sure you take something a bit warmer (and a headtorch) as it's worth going out at night to see the shearwaters coming in.

PM me if you have any other specific questions about the island, accommodation etc.

Cheers,

Chris

[jcurtis]

Chris, thanks for the advice are the paths signposted at the accomodation block?

[Chris Hawes]

I'm not sure to be honest.

When you first get to the farmhouse you'll approach it from the Eastern path, so you'd need to take the path on your left to get to the Wick (south).

Once you disembark from the boat there is a short talk to introduce you to the island, and this involves orientation. There is also a map. So you won't have any difficulty knowing where you're going.

[jcurtis]

Thanks chris, top man!

[momji1971]

We stayed for only one night and got some amazing images. With your 2.8 stay out late and be out ready to shoot at first light. I did and was the only photographer out which suprised me! With no people around the puffins were a bit too inquisitive! lol.

When the sun comes up high, get away from the day trippers and explore other parts of the island. There's lots of wildlife and lots of puffins to shoot in better light once the day trippers have left.

At first light too, check out the dry stone walls not far from the accomodation. You might get some good little owl shots too!

Very jealous!

Have fun!

regards.
Stu.