Notes from the Field: Underwater with the Gannets
‘What a spectacle to witness!’ I thought as I sat at the entrance hatch off the side of the boat. Dressed in my wetsuit, I donned my mask and snorkel, secured my fins, and after the ‘OK’ from the skipper, dropped myself into the North Sea. Far above me the gannets circled around our boat as it bobbed amongst the shadows of the Bass Rock.
A giant pillar of time.
Despite the many years of living in Edinburgh, the last time I had actually visited the Bass Rock was in my childhood. I remembered that time on the small tourist boat, being tossed around by a large swell as we made a loop around the white rock. I felt seasick, and was slightly overwhelmed by the large grey waves that held us in their grasp. I remember feeling at the power of the sea for the first time, and that respect has remained.
Photograph: A Northern Gannet soars above our boat.
Shot on a Sony A7RIII with a Sony 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G OSS lens, @200mm, ISO200, f6.3, 1/1000sec.
It was a very different day this time. Joining a group of artists and photographers, we left Anstruther harbour and headed out into the glossy expanse of the Firth of Forth. The sun shone, porpoises joined us for the short voyage and waves shimmered in our wake as we headed south. The trip had been organised by the Society of Wildlife Artists to allow the group to sketch and paint the vast colony of resident gannets. In particular, the skipper was going to ‘chum’ a box of dead mackerel as bait to allow us to witness and document the gannets diving into the water at close range to feed.
My intention, was to try and photograph this spectacle.
Photograph: Gannets circle high above the rock face in a rythmic dance. The Bass Rock boasts the largest colony of Northern Gannet’s in Europe.
Shot on a Sony A7RIII with a Sony 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G OSS lens, @200mm, ISO200, f6.3, 1/1000sec.
They hit the water at 60mph. Wings tucked, neck outstretched, streamlined and with effortless grace.
A lone mackerel hangs in the water column as the sea erupted into a boiling frenzy of bubbles. Beady eyes bare down on their prize. One claims ownership, then another and the battles begin.
Photograph: Gannets grappling for a bite.
Shot on a Sony A9 Mk1 with Sony 24mm f1.4 GM lens inside an Ikelite 200DL housing with dome point and two DS160 strobes. ISO 400, f5.6 1/400 sec.
Propelling themselves through the water with their wings, they twist and turn - each vying to wrench the lifeless fish from the grasp of another. Precious seconds are all that are needed to gulp down the prize and continue to the next. One seizes on the hesitation of another, as it out-muscles and out-bullies. This is survival of the fittest right in front of my eyes.
And then, calm.
The whole event is over in a matter of seconds. Silence prevails. The water column returns to a solitude of blue. Sharp rays of light return their dance with the depths.
The only remnant of the melee is a suspended feather, spiralling gently towards the depths.
Last year I had shot Marlins hunting mackerel bait balls in Baja California, Mexico. It was extremely exhilirating and incredible to see, but very different from this. With the Marlin, everything was in front of you underwater. With the Gannets, everything was at the waterline, right in front of your lens! I was a little apprehensive about the notion of these birds impacting at high speed 1-2m away from my head, but with time and practice I began to anticipate the spectacle as it was to unfold.
The difficulty was anticipating their point of impact and having the camera trained in this direction and already shooting a burst. My setup was as simple as I could manage: I had two Ikelite strobes mounted on top of an Ikelite housing with my Sony A9 Mk1 inside and a 24mm prime lens for width and speed. I tethered this to my suit and tethered myself to the boat.
Then, using the vessel for protection, I would drift into position.
Behind the Scenes. Floating and waiting for the birds to dive under the shadow of the Bass Rock.
Photo Credit: Liz Myhill.
It took me a while to get my eye in, but in the end I got a series of shots that I was happy with - rest assured the next trip should be alot easier!
I owe a great deal of thanks to the Isle of May boat trip for organising this excursion, and also the artists of the Society of Wildlife Artists for kindly inviting me to join in. I look forward to returning at some point in the future for another take :).