Gannet’s – Puffin – Guillemot – Lightening Quick Auto Focus On Olympus OMD EM 1 MK ii
OH MY GOD
I went to RSPB Bempton Cliff’s (North Yorkshire) at the weekend, specifically to photograph Gannet’s, to hopefully see Puffling’s and to try out the auto-focus pn the OMD EM 1 MK ii. It was a very enjoyable day out for me, it can’t be bad when I can do two of my favourite things at the same time.
The auto focus on the Olympus OMD EM 1 MK ii is phenomenal. I mean that it’s so good that there aren’t the correct words to express how impressed I am. It uses both contrast and phase detection points, and it’s almost instantaneous. I was shooting in Continuous Auto-Focus (C-AF). Here’s the impressive bit, continuous auto-focus on somethings as small as a Puffin (28cm from tip of beak to tip of tail feather), three-quarters the way down a 300ft cliff (225ft below me), at least that far out to sea, and flying at roughly 45mph (they can go up to 60mph). That my friends, in my opinion, is f/’k”ng amazing.
All of the photo’s accompanying this post are as shot. I’ve taken them into Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to add metadata and to resize them for this post. I haven’t even cropped them. Once I am back from my travel’s I look forward to developing a few more, I have some shots that I can’t wait to show you. There are some that I am so impressed with that I will add them to Adobe Stock. All were taken on the Olympus OMD EM1 MK ii, manual, C-AF, 15fps on the Mzuiko 75-300mm F4.8-6.7 ii.
Here are a few taster photos In the mean time, and I look forward to developing the rest after my holiday.
(Please click on the photo for a full size image) The most beautiful part of a Gannet is its eye. A piercing blue eye, that is framed by such a delicate yellow head.(Please click on photo for a full size image) Gannet’s mate for life, and once they have a roost they will return to the exact same nest year after year. They have a bonding ritual in which they will preen each other and then perform a dance with their beaks, rubbing them against each other. These must be a newly formed couple. The dark streaks of the bird on the right mean that it is not mature enough for breeding and is probably around 2 years old, at least they will have two years bonding in preparation for mating.(Please click on the photo for a full size image) A gannet riding the thermals at the top of RSPB Bempton Cliff’s in North Yorkshire. There is a large breeding colony here. RSPB Bempton Cliff’s is an accessible site that has gravel paths wide enough for wheel chair users, and each viewing platform has a space for visitors with disabilities.(Please click on the photo for a full size image) This is a small roost of juvenile, non-breeding Gannets, and is set slightly away from the main breeding colony. It is an important place for bonding and developing the social and defensive skills required for breeding. The social skills include protecting your space from other birds who are looking to pinch your prime real estate for their nest. The birds circle around from the foot of these cliffs, riding the thermals until they reach the top.(Please click on the photo for a full size image) The Common Guillemot is a sea-bird whose numbers are on the increase, and is thereby classified as being of the least concern. How good it is to celebrate a bird population that is healthy and increasing. The Guillemot can fly up to 50mph, can fly as far as 200 miles on a trip to find food, and they can also dive to a depth of 100 meters. This Guillemot is flying in the opposite direction as a Gannet.
Fantastic Richard ! Enjoy the rest of your holiday, looking forward to seeing more of your photos.
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Thanks Judy.
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Great pictures Richard and good you have reassurance regarding the C-AF of the Olympus, so I guess you are all set now!
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Yes I am. The em 10 mk iii with the 14-42 for static displays and the em1 mk ii with the 75-300 for flying displays.
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Awesome pictures 😊
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Thankyou.
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You’re welcome. Your photos are great
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Gosh, I love these! I would love to see these birds in person. Your photography has captured so much with their expressions, etc.
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Thankyou Jennifer. They are so peaceful and joyful to watch.
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Nice post and Amazing pictures
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Thankyou Jane
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Great photos – glad you are enjoying the Olympus – they always were very good optics.
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Thanks Dave. I’m impressed with both of them. I feel very grateful.
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I’ve always thought of puffins as penguins who got caught flying…
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That’s fab. I shall remember that.
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Hey Richard. Great images. I see why you are so pleased with your camera. Some great results and of a subject so close to my heart. Well done.
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Thankyou. Yeah I’m impressed with it, and I have some better ones to develop.
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Great photos and I also love Bempton Cliffs.
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It’s fab over there isn’t it. Are you a birdwatcher?
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Stellar shots! Very impressive! I especially like the action shots! 🙂
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Thanks Tom.
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Wow these are so amazing…😄
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Thankyou.
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Wonderful photos…and a new toy. Congratulations, you must be having a lot of fun.
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Thanks Jack. I am. I’m loving it. A busy weekend of Photography at an airshow this weekend.
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