I was really fortunate enough to visit Bird Island recently (the one in Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth) thanks to a combination of Brian at AV8 Helicopters helping out SANParks, the Namibian Air Force, my wonderful man & some semi-decent weather (don't ask!).
Bird Island is one of only six breeding sites for the Cape Gannet which is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful birds. Being the nesting season, there were a large number of birds on the island in their usual huddle, with numberous take-offs and landings being executed seemingly at random. The birds on the island are not used to people coming to visit and appeared rather curious about me, many of them hovering on the wind just above my head, but otherwise didn't appear concerned about my presence. If you'd like to find out a little more about Bird Island and the Cape Gannet, visit http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/bi-algoa.htm
Skilful close non-formation flying on the island...
Skillful close formation flying en-route...
Andy, I have to tell you - admitting 100% ignorance and inexperience and complete arrogance in even assuming I have a right to make a comment - but the picture of the birds is absolutely different to anything I've ever seen before! The little that I look at - I get the impression that photographers take similar photos after getting ideas from other photo's they've seen before. Your photo of the birds has to be the most original I have ever seen (admittedly in my limited experience but it had such an impression on me that I had to type this email rushing out of work, with 'flu and a headache that would stop anyone typing anything they really didn't have to OR WANT TO!).
ReplyDeleteTHANKS!!!!!
Rob.
Wonderful photo’s – you should be winning awards !
ReplyDeleteNo way! This looks like something out of a Disney animation (say, Nemo – mine mine mine mine mine . . . (Okay, maybe you need to be, or have, an eight year old to fully appreciate that reference!)
ReplyDeleteAnds this is a stunning pic! I want a print for my birthday (if you don’t ask, you don’t get . . .) :-)
Quick note to say the gannet pic is simply brilliant!
ReplyDeleteBootiful
ReplyDeleteWOW
ReplyDeleteLike so many others, I also thought this was a pretty cool photo! The kind you would imagine would be great to capture, but would never expect to be able to... except you did!
ReplyDeleteHello Dandy Andy!!!
ReplyDeleteYou been away to long! Missed you stacks!!
Thank you so much for the awesome pics! I wish you made albums of the week instead of pic of the week.
the shot of the birds is incredible. Looks like you were part of them totally!
And the pic of the allouette....well that is just emotional! I miss the old alloes with their ejecter seat floors... the new fancy helis are great but not the same!
Hope to see you sooner than later
Really top-notch photography (as usual!) Many thanks
ReplyDeletewow, andy that pic is truly awesome. is that place easy to get to? i mean, like as a tourist visit for the day?
ReplyDeletedid you get covered in bird shit?
hmmmm, maybe you shouldn't answer that!
The bird picture is amazing. At first glance I thought it was CGed :).
ReplyDelete