On Sunday the 16th September, South Kerry Camera Club members and guests visited the Blasket Islands. The morning brought heavy rain and mist for our run to Dingle with the boat man texting en route to say he didn't think that the weather would improve, and it was still raining when we reached Dingle. Well we waited an hour or so and it stopped raining and the sky looked brighter, so I phoned our skipper and we decided we would give it a try. The weather in the harbour was very calm, but as we rounded the head, it was another story, but the boat ploughed on through the waves, and just as we arrived at the Island the sun came out!
We had an unexpected extra in that, the beach was covered in seals, this would make for some good extra photos, I also befriended a Robin who proceeded to sing his head off and pose for me, so he is also included in my photos.
The members of the South Kerry Camera Club would like to extend a very big thank you to Mick and his crew for an excellent trip, aboard the 'Blasket Princess'. Mick very kindly stood by while the weather changed, and looked after all on board with his friendly manor, whilst ensuring that the highest safety standards were upheld, we would recommend Mick to any wanting to visit the Blaskets! He can be contacted at :
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| Members and friends gather, and await the boat! |
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| Tides out so we will have to go to the boat via an inflatable in groups! |
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| Here comes the 'Blasket Princess' to collect us for the trip. |
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| I managed to be in the first lot to enable me to get photos of the members coming aboard! Photo taken from the flying bridge! |
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| The second wave of passengers arrives! |
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| Looks calm enough, but rounding the headland can be another thing! |
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| Last of the group then we can get underway! |
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| Don't look so worried Bridget! its not that bad |
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| Hi Natatcha, an invited guest, but i'm sure she will be joining the SKCC next season, an accomplished photographer, and Photoshop specialist! |
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| Leaving the calm of the bay! |
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| Overcast but still not raining |
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| Our Skipper Mick Sheeran, who can make this trip blindfolded! |
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| Trish and one of her guests from very close to my old home, Newport Pagnal, MK |
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| Our towed inflatable that will transfer us to the Island! |
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| Michael Herrmann our intrepid professional, with Bridget O'Shea! |
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| Uuuumm, rough water now, even mick can't see where he's going! |
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| Our first look at the old village on the Blasket Island, from the boat! |
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| The ever changing sky made for some varied colours photos! |
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| Beginish Island |
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| The last islander left here as late as 1953. |
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| Our first look at seals, or maybe they were looking at us! |
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| Disembarking on to the Island. |
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| Our skipper and crew member will wait the hours out while we all take photos! |
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| The dark patch at the far end of the beach is actually seals basking in the sun! |
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| One of my first photos from the Island |
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| The old village now mostly in ruins! |
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| The mind captures thoughts of the people that lived in these wild conditions. |
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| All houses of course, had the most fantastic views over the sea, lots would kill for this location today! |
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| My friend Robin! |
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| I'll sing you a song! |
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| Feathers ruffled in the wind! |
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| Hows this pose? |
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| This is my best side! |
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| A little love nest, nestled into the hillside! |
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| The previous inhabitants of the island must have been very fit, everywhere we went we were climbing up steep embankment to reach each of the dwellings! |
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| The tide of times! so sad |
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| The seals sunning themselves! |
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| Young cub seals in the foreground! |
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| You seen my Mum?? |
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| Two mating seals in the waters edge! |
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| Charging into the water, who spooked them? |
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| Looking across at Beginish Island |
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| I'm completely full, couldn't eat another scrap! |
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| Beginish, with part of the Dingle peninsular in the background. |
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| The sunshine for the day allowed the club to enjoy many photo opportunities! |
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| Natatcha & Bridget, actually a distance away, taken with my 300mm. |
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| Trish and her UK guests from Milton Keynes, actually Newport Pagnal to be precise! |
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| Who lives in a house like this? |
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| An outside barn shaped for protection from the elements. |
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| Time for a little fooling before we leave, ND 8 filter to smooth water |
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| Now really fooling ND12 filters for extra slow shutter speed |
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| ND12 Again. |
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| Rotary polariser, cuts through the glare, the bright reflection of the water here was totally removed ! |
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| More polariser |
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| Last few shots before we leave! |
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| Our good friend Claude, this man has some nice Canon cameras, and support gear, as well as being a very keen and gifted photographer! |
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| Our skipper Mick in the background chewing the cud with Willy! |
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| Last group arrives from the island |
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| And its all aboard for home! |
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| From the flying bridge! |
All photos Pentax K5 with Pentax 28-200mm, 55-300mm & Sigma17-50mm
