View single post by Robert
 Posted: Thu May 17th, 2018 04:11
Robert



Joined: Mon Apr 2nd, 2012
Location: South Lakeland, UK
Posts: 4066
Status: 
Offline
Eric wrote:
Good selection of the days efforts there.

We all suffered to varying degrees with subject distance irrespective of equipment differences. Only the geese were close enough and big enough to fill the frame.

We really needed 1000mm for most of those birds.....and someone to carry the lens!;-)

PS...remind me to take a hacksaw next time we go there. I will soon have that gate open! Notice I stepped over the small fence to see if I could unlock it from the other side....while Mike and Graham waited. :lol:



I have been scheming how to get closer to the birds, I definitely lack 'field craft'... There are 'bait boats' which apparently are used by fishermen to deposit bait for attracting fish, small battery driven boats from about a foot long up to three or four feet long, silent and manoeuvrable they use water jet propulsion consisting of an internal pump which sucks water up then ejects it from the rear of the boat propelling the boat forwards. Steering is achieved by having two jets, one at each side. Propellors tend to get entangled with weed.

Mounting a camera on board with wi-fi live view might allow me to get quite close to the birds? Don't expect the RSPB would approve but here on the shores of the estuary I don't think anyone would bother.

Sounds like a fun project. I had been planning a small trolling boat for exploring the estuary and photography, but the tides here are powerful and fast running, I have been advised I need at least a reliable ten horsepower outboard to stay safe, even on a small boat. That would be noisy and expensive.



____________________
Robert.