Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

[klovibond]

I took a boat trip over to Skomer Island for the first time in the summer to see the puffins, unaware of the wide variety of other birds on this little rock off the Pembrokeshire coast. What a wonderful day out, I'm hoping to return every year! These are just a small selection of images taken on the day:

1. Lesser Black-backed Gull


2. Chough


3. Meadow Pipit


4. Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit by klovibond, on Flickr

5. Oystercatcher


6. Razorbill


7. Guillemot

Guillemot by klovibond, on Flickr

8-10. Puffins

[pnodrog]

Looks like a great place to go if you were testing a long lens. Good selection of birds. #3,#4 and the middle puffin I particularly like.

Must be a bit of a setback to the bird's self-esteem to be called a lesser black-back gull.

[Geoff F]

Well the other version is called a Greater Black-back Gull. Slightly larger, but if I remember correctly you have to compare the leg colours for positive identification.

Everything has worked well with these, Kevin.

[klovibond]

That's exactly what this visit was.... first serious test for my new Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 (2013 "S" version) with 1.4x EX teleconverter

[klovibond]

You're right Geoff....the lesser has yellow legs, and the greater has pink

[Kyle]

I love the ones of the Puffins!

[IzzieK]

I love your shots...and the birds. Can you put a highlight in some of your birds' shots in the eyes so they will shine more?

[klovibond]

Thanks Izzie. As regards to eye highlights....I'll have to find a tutorial for that! PP is not my strong point having only just acquired Elements after using Picasa free for many years

[IzzieK]

I do not use Elements but here is one that you might like/want to experiment on:

http://www.iheartfaces.com/2009/05/%...shop-elements/

'Hope this help...

Thanks Izzie. As regards to eye highlights....I'll have to find a tutorial for that! PP is not my strong point having only just acquired Elements after using Picasa free for many years

[deetheturk]

Great images Kevin,looks like you had a great day,thanks for sharing!

[NorthernFocus]

Really a nice set of images. Looks like a magical place to spend a day.

[FrankMi]

That's exactly what this visit was.... first serious test for my new Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 (2013 "S" version) with 1.4x EX teleconverter

Nice job! Each image is well framed and a pleasure to view. It looks like you have a great lens to bring your shooting skills to fruition!

[dabhand]

Well the other version is called a Greater Black-back Gull. Slightly larger, but if I remember correctly you have to compare the leg colours for positive identification.

It's difficult until you get used to them or see them together but the Greater is larger than the Lesser and the black colouring of the wings and back is jet black on the Greater whilst the Lesser is really dark grey; Herring Gulls which also have pink legs have very light grey wings and back. Size wise the Herring Gull is between the two 'black backs'.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[Geoff F]

During the last few years when I was fishing for a living I had a Greater Black-back which would regularly sit on the foredeck just a couple of feet from where I was working and would take scraps of fish from my hand.

[klovibond]

Thanks for the comments everyone, much appreciated!

[bnnrcn]

Welcome Kevin and thank you for sharing so nice images:-)

[Wavelength]

Kevin, it looks like the birds have hired you as a photographer that they all well posed for you; the birds will be very proud to see these images
All the best and Welcome