Pacific Diver : Another Visit

 My previous two visits to photograph the bird have been in dire light conditions and after hearing on the BBC Wales news that Derek the Weatherman was forecasting a brighter day with some sunshine I made another visit this morning.

Derek's prediction however did not prove correct and Port Talbot greeted me with grey cloudy skies and a biting cold wind which resulted in the water surface being very choppy.

The bird was in it's favoured South-East corner of the reservoir and after a 20min walk I was greeted by local toggers/birders Steve Rosser and Mike Pugh, they too were hoping for some better light.

I managed some nice shots but not quite what I was looking for, perhaps we'll get a brighter day or two over the holiday period when this fabulous bird can eventually be captured in some good light, here's hoping.......

Pacific Diver : Return Visit

 Hoping for better light I made another visit to Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, Port Talbot this morning in company with fellow 'togger/birder' Dave Gilbert who met me at my home at 8.15am.

After a cold frosty night we were greeted with bright sunshine and a blue sky upon leaving but our spirits dropped as we neared Port Talbot which was shrouded in fog !!

Upon arriving at the reservoir visibility was limited to about 50m, we immediately bumped into Kevin Hughes and the three of us walked to the opposite end of the reservoir where the bird was located bumping into Martin Bevan and Phil Hill who confirmed that our target bird was still present and showing quite closely.

Security was not an issue as nobody would be able to see us in the murk.

We arrived at the bird and the fog thinned out and started to lift and we had a small window of reasonable light in order to get some photos.

We both obtained some nice images before the murk descended again, it was good to meet Tony Swann who was also visiting and nice to chat also with some visiting birders including a father and son who had travelled from Surrey.

After leaving we called into Aberavon Beach hoping that it to was not fogbound, unfortunately it was so we then called it a day and returned to a bright and sunny Maesteg.

Pacific Diver + Slavonian Grebe : Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, Port Talbot

 A few more images of the newly arrived Pacific Diver and the Slavonian Grebe which I am told has been present for a few weeks.

I was lucky to pick up the 'Slav' as it was at the opposite end of the reservoir as I was leaving.....

The 'Slav' was about 50-60m from the bank of the reservoir so only 'record' shots.

Pacific Diver : Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, Port Talbot

 News broke late on the 11th December of a juvenile Pacific Diver found by Rob Jones and Dan Black, I was unable to 'twitch' it yesterday as it was Teresa's birthday resulting in other commitments.

I did however make a visit today and the bird was still there and duly obliged by coming reasonably close enabling me to get some images that I was quite pleased with.

My new Canon R5 handles high ISOs extremely well so the dull overcast conditions were not an issue.

Due to several birders attending yesterday the site which has no public access has since been well guarded by a security company, luckily I have dealt with the company in work prior to retiring so I was able to obtain official access.

'Testing the new camera'

 My Canon EOS 7D Mk II  is now 7 year old having been purchased in December 2014, it has been a fantastic workhorse and I've been delighted with many of the images that I've taken.

However, it's now time to upgrade and move on, as the future now appears to be 'mirrorless' with the traditional DSLR being phased out I thought I would treat myself to an early Christmas present in the form of the new Canon EOS R5.

It's a 'full frame' 45MP mirrorless camera that shoots at 12 frames/sec with mechanical shutter and 20fps with it's electronic shutter and has therefore everything that a wildlife photographer could wish f

The electronic viewfinder will take a little getting used to but with exposure simulation built in it's incredible.

The autofocus is incredibly fast and is the best on the market with it even sporting eye detection !!

Delivery last week coincided with our final visit to the caravan to close it down for the winter.

I made two visits to Teifi Marshes, Cardigan to test it out and on Monday I have to say that I did struggle somewhat, it's so different to what I've been used to for the last 11 years.

It is very different from my Canon EOS 7D Mk II and there is going to be a steep learning curve for me to get fully familiar and confident in using it.

It's a real game changer and Canon have certainly done themselves proud with this high spec model.

Yesterday was much better as I started to get to grips with it and I came away with some 'test' images that I was well pleased with........

Teifi Marshes, Cardigan : November Visits

 Having spent the last week and a half at our caravan at Poppit Sands I made a couple of visits to the Mallard Hide at Teifi Marshes hoping to see and photograph the Jack Snipe that had been showing in the 'cut' area to the right of the hide. Unfortunately it didn't show for me and only a Common Snipe was present, I did though 'fill my boots' with a female Common Kingfisher who made several visits and also saw the big 'dog' Otter on the river whilst walking back to my car........