CAPTURE NEW HORIZONS

Last week I hosted a Maclean Photographic workshop and one of my clients wanted to know how to get images of birds in flight using her X-T20 and XC50-230mm lens.   At this time of year the seabirds along the East Lothian coast are starting to return and I knew there were Fulmars starting to set up home in the cliffs above the beach at Seacliff.  So that is where we headed for a couple of hours to get some pictures of the Fulmars ( Fulmarus glacialis). While my client was using her X-T20 I decided to put the new Fujifilm X-H1 fitted with the XF100-400mm lens through it's paces to test the Auto Focus capabilities and I am pleased to say it is as good shooting wildlife as it is shooting sport. Fulmars Glacialis Fulmars are actually related to the mighty albatross and they fly low over the sea on stiff wings and shallow wingbeats.  They glide on the sea breezes and nest high up in the cliff faces, riding the  up draughts.  Fulmars defend their nest...

I had another opportunity to visit one of my favourite locations here on the East Lothian coast and that is the small sandy beach at Seacliff. The beach is reached via a private road (there is a £3 charge to access the road)  and it leads down to the car park behind the cove.  As you look out in front Bass Rock is right in front, to the left is the Gegan and the tiny harbour and to the right is St Baldred's Cross, which is the outer marker for the Firth of Forth. Once you get onto the beach you can look across and see the ruins of Tantallon Castle on the cliff top. The reason for the visit was to allow a fellow photographer the opportunity test the X-T2 and XF100-400mm on his favourite genre - wildlife.  So we headed to the cliffs by the Gegan to take some shots of the Fulmars that are starting to set up home in the cliffs. All images shot on the Fujifilm X-Pro2 with a XF10-24mm f4 or Fujifilm X-T2 with a XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 ...