Weather report: rain, rain and more rain. Welcome to a British Summer. The atrocious weather has put paid to any real opportunity to go out with the camera, but there are a few catch-up shots I've been meaning to post. For several nights now one of the local herring gulls has taken to patrolling the skies. When the cloud cover lifts, and the moonlight catches its wings, it's just possible to make out its ghostly night-flight.
I've attempted to photograph it. Not easy, as through the camera it's impossible (or as close as makes no difference) to see anything. Focusing is a no-go. I had to pump the ISO to anything between 3200 and 6400, set the manual focus to just below infinity; and hoped. I've achieved multiple shots of a pitch black night sky, and occasionally… very occasionally… a ghost bird.
But for the rest of the time we've had little else but rain. Constant rain. These poor mites were making the best they could of the limited shelter available. 
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D. The first photo was taken with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens, the second and third with the EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS. I used the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS for the chicks.
gdare
19 Jun 2011I thought they are blind in the dark, just like other birds :left:
SittingFox
20 Jun 2011Oh wow, that's pretty unique!
Words
21 Jun 2011Darko, a fair number of birds do fly at night. Some raptors have very well evolved sight for night hunting, but I suspect other species can cope, especially the migratory birds.
Words
21 Jun 2011Thanks Erwin. So strange to see them like that.
Words
21 Jun 2011Adele, one of the more peculiar sightings. The rain and mist seems to have kept them quiet tonight.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Thats Interesting the photo of the gull…..