galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales

July’s Three Days with the Puffins of Skomer Island

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Sean Weekly

25
Aug

July was my second Puffins of Skomer Island Photography Holiday of 2017 for NaturesLens. This time I was to be co-leading the trip with the talented Kevin Morgans. He has a wealth of puffin photography experience so I was sure that it was going to be another amazing trip.

The trip for me started off at Gatwick airport. I was collecting a guest – who will be contributing his own Puffins of Skomer blog, I understand – Csaba, a long-time friend of David & Pui Hang, who was flying over from Hungary just to come & photograph the Puffins! It was great to have some company during the long 6 hour drive from Kent to the South West of Wales.

Kevin & myself met the rest of the group the following morning at Martins Haven which is where the boat departs from to Skomer Island. After a meet & greet everyone loaded their bags & food supply on the boat & off we went.

The weather forecast on arrival was not that great at all, Thick sea mist & heavy rain. Typical British summer weather!

Once everything was unloaded from the boat the group all made our way to the farm house which was going to be our home for the duration of the trip. Kevin & myself then gave a short briefing to the group asking what images & photography help they wanted to get out of the trip. I would say around 90% of the group wanted to learn or improve their bird in flight photography & also wanted to learn how to get a Puffin in flight with a very dark background. It is always useful when a big group of guests want to achieve the same thing, as allows us as guides to group people up to teach them all the same thing.

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galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales, workshops

June’s Puffin Photography Holiday

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Sean Weekly

25
Aug

June took me back to the stunning Skomer Island in Wales. I was co leading the first of two NaturesLens Puffin Photography Holidays with David.

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galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales, workshops

Skomer’s Puffins in the Dark – Playing With Light

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Sean Weekly

24
Aug

I hope to share with you in this post, a technique that I used during the second of the NaturesLens Skomer’s Puffins Photography Holidays, to achieve some, what I think are, striking images of the puffins on a dark background.

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galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales

Golden Light & Puffins – Magical Photography

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Sean Weekly

18
Aug

There are two fantastic reasons for taking an overnight stay on Skomer Island, simply put, if it happens, the golden light & puffins – if these two happen to coincide, some magical imagery can be achieved.

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2017 – Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

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Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday Details

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Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

The NaturesLens Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday, to be lead in July 2017 by Sean Weekly & Kevin Morgans, encompasses seas filled with rafts of puffins, razorbills & guillemots coupled with looming offshore rocks contrasting with exposed headlands or sheltered inlets, which are home to the seal population and many other mammals. Our holiday expands on the success of the event of previous years by expanding from two nights on the island, to make that three. As before, we include evening meals, breakfasts, landing fees, plenty of laughter & the opportunity to photograph the island whilst no-one other than our party is on the island, including the amazing golden hour photography. Skomer Island is located approximately 3 miles from Martin’s Haven on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast. The island, which is the location for our Puffins Photography holiday is reached by boat, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes in duration. Skomer Island itself is 750-acres of beautiful habitat for a variety of amazing wildlife experiences. Continue reading →

2017 – Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

[is_singular]

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday Details

[/is_singular]

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED – FOR AN EQUALLY UNFORGETTABLE PUFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PUFFINS OF FAIR ISLE PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY.

The NaturesLens Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday, to be lead in June 2017 by David Miles & Sean Weekly, encompasses seas filled with rafts of puffins, razorbills & guillemots coupled with looming offshore rocks contrasting with exposed headlands or sheltered inlets, which are home to the seal population and many other mammals. Our holiday expands on the success of the event of previous years by expanding from two nights on the island, to make that three. As before, we include evening meals, breakfasts, landing fees, plenty of laughter & the opportunity to photograph the island whilst no-one other than our party is on the island, including the amazing golden hour photography. Skomer Island is located approximately 3 miles from Martin’s Haven on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast. The island, which is the location for our Puffins Photography holiday is reached by boat, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes in duration. Skomer Island itself is 750-acres of beautiful habitat for a variety of amazing wildlife experiences. Continue reading →

2017 – Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

[is_singular]

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday Details

[/is_singular]

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED – FOR AN EQUALLY UNFORGETTABLE PUFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PUFFINS OF FAIR ISLE PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY.

announcements

The anticipation of a return to the Skomer Puffins

Posted on June 3, 2017August 12, 2018 by David Miles

For the last few years, June & July have seen NaturesLens run 3 night photography holidays to capture images of the Skomer Puffins, & 2017 is no different!

It is almost time – two weeks out – for the first of our annual visits to capture images of Skomer’s Puffins – for several years now, we have taken large groups with multiple guides to the island, the first trip of 2017 is being led by myself & Sean Weekly, the second by Sean Weekly & Kevin Morgans. That means that the weekend after next will be ‘cooking time’, there should be plenty of warming food for the evening meals, some cakes & we might slip the odd box of wine in.

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announcements, wales, workshops

Puffin Photography Holiday in June on Skomer – one place available again

Posted on March 19, 2017 by David Miles

19
Mar

Normally, this does not happen, but we have had a place become re-available for our puffin photography holiday in June during which we spend three nights living on Skomer Island.

A serene portrait of one of the Atlantic Puffins of Skomer – typical of the image that you will be able to capture on the NaturesLens Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

This trip is to be held over the dates of June 17 @ 8:00 am – June 20 @ 10:00 am, & is to be lead by myself, David Miles, & Sean Weekly; the trip encompasses seas filled with rafts of puffins, razorbills & guillemots coupled with looming offshore rocks contrasting with exposed headlands or sheltered inlets, which are home to the seal population & many other mammals.

Skomer Island is located approximately 3 miles from Martin’s Haven on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast. Skomer Island itself is 750-acres of beautiful habitat for a variety of amazing wildlife experiences. The island has the largest colony of breeding seabirds in Southern Britain Beginning in early spring, thousands of colourful puffins crowd the island, popping their heads out from the entry to their burrows, they skim the visitors to the island as they pass overhead carrying sand eels or burrow materials.

Additionally, they are often to be seen socialising in huge groups on the sea. The puffins, the “clowns of the sea”, are endearing & utterly photogenic. You can expect them to come within feet of you & even to walk between your feet – they also have an uncanny attachment to walking right up to a camera lens, making for some amazing close-up shots. It should also be noted that the landscape of Skomer lends itself to wider-angle shots, incorporating the scenic backdrop & birds in the foreground, to show the subject in it’s environment.

Skomer is not only about the puffins, although they are without a doubt the stars of the show. The more sedate razorbills & guillemots watch visitors from the rugged cliffs that make up the island’s terrain. If we are lucky, we might observe Gannets diving into the sea. It is also worth noting that inland of the island there are colonies of short-eared owls, these beautiful birds of prey fly & hunt during the day on the island.

The puffin photography holiday cost is £499 for the 3 night stay, this includes hostel-like accommodation in the converted farm house, breakfast & dinner, photography tuition from myself & Sean on an as-needed basis.

As mentioned, it is unusual for us to have a place become available at this late stage – if you would like to book it, please drop us an email using our contact page.

announcements, photography holidays, scotland, workshops

£200 off the Shetland Puffins of Fair-Isle photography tour

Posted on January 8, 2017 by David Miles

As a New Year special offer, we got a special on the NaturesLens Puffins of Fair-Isle Photography Holiday, we’ve taken £200 of the price – for a limited number of places the price is reduced to £999 from £1199 – the holiday package to photography the Shetland Puffins still includes a flight from Sumburgh to Fair Isle, several days on Fair Isle on a full-board basis, & a return ferry – dates for the trip are July 8^th – 13^th 2017.

The trip will be lead by Kevin Morgans & he will be on hand to offer photography guidance & to spot opportunities to ensure that you get the best from the the photography tour that you can.

You don’t have to pay the full amount today, a deposit of £200 holds your place on the Shetland Puffins of Fair-Isle, with the balance due in early April 2017.

View the full details of the Shetland Puffins photography trip here.

Facebook Rating

5.0

NaturesLens

Ann James

2018-08-28T17:56:44+0000

Great set up, so accomodating to individual needs, leaders have a wealth of knowledge and experience - re camera setup, angles, lighting etc that they are so happy to share, brilliant locations, and generally all round value for money

David Jones

2018-07-17T15:44:04+0000

I have been on a number of trips with NaturesLens and this one was like all of my previous ones: well organised with excellent leaders, at the correct time for maximum photography and generally provided a great time.

Susie Cro

2018-07-07T14:53:38+0000

What a fabulous experience. I was looked after from start to finish by our guides Sean and Jayne who made this, my first photographic holiday, one to remember. I enjoyed my time so much that I booked two further trips on my return and I’m now off to Wales and then Greece. We had a fabulous group of people on our excursion and I have made good friends, some of which I will meet up with on my next trips. If you ever wanted to join a photo tour but weren’t sure who to use then look no further, NaturesLens will do you proud!

Laura Galbraith

2018-06-25T20:32:28+0000

Recently went to Skomer with Natures Lens. Excellent guides, well organised, great group. What more can you ask for.

Ali Basil

2018-06-21T16:18:53+0000

First time on a trip with Naturelens to Skomer, great organisation and prices. David and Pui were very helpful prior to going on the trip. The trip was guided by Sean and Jayne which were helping us all the time, learned a lot from them and got some nice photos that I couldn’t manage to get before. We struggled a bit with the weather but the guides handled it well. It was my first time also to be with a group and it was a nice & fun � Can’t wait to go on another trip with Naturelens soon.

Kuruma Sangam

2018-04-08T08:49:27+0000

Tony Caseiro

2018-03-23T20:39:10+0000

Mark Jankiewicz

2018-02-23T04:31:35+0000

Just sitting in the airport in Tokyo waiting for my flight home after finishing the Japanese Winter trip with #Natureslens.Wow - what a trip. The team lead a flawless trip that encompassed stunning scenery, superb local accommodation through to the main reason for being here, the stunning wildlife.Everything was as promised but with so much more. I won't go into detail about the wildlife here as that will be evident from the photos posted on the site.What I do want to do is document what an exceptional company #Natureslens are. It starts with the initial communications and unlike most companies they respond almost immediately to emails and are always at the end of the phone. The help, assistance and honest guidance they provide is exemplary. During the trip they use local contacts that have been cultivated over many years and the team and the contacts fully understand the special requirements that photography puts on location and travel. We stayed in some of the best hotels that range from superb western style, to very traditional Japanese accomodation. Each place being ideally suited close to the 'viewing locations' so that travel is minimised and time at site is maximised. They go out of their way to fulfil any dietary requests, with all the locations being able to cater for mixed requirements, at no point was it 'it is that or nothing'.On this trip there were two that made up the team and three guests. At no point did I have to wait for any guidance or assistance, which was freely and generously given. We had a mixture of photographic skills on the trip and Dave and Ian were more than able to provide us all with help. Equally as important as the help was the fact that that if you wanted to do your own thing then that was fine as well.I was so impressed with this holiday that I am now booked on my next trip in South Africa on safari with these guys, so it is 'out of the freezer into the frying pan' (or something like that).

George Reekie

2018-01-24T19:13:16+0000

Great trip to see Dalmatian Pelicans at Lake Kerkini. Leader, Sean, was great as was the boatman. The group was probably the most fun I have ever been on a trip with! The hotel and boatmen were excellent. All in all it was a very good three days of photography.

Annette Webersinke

2018-01-17T10:05:43+0000

...loved it! Perfect organization, wonderful guide, beautiful location, gorgeous models, breathtaking early morning boat trips, nice people, good food and a lot of fun...what more would you want...

Csaba Tökölyi

2017-07-21T08:16:40+0000

Just returned a few days ago from a trip to Skomer island, Wales with NaturesLens, and I wish I would be heading back again tomorrow. One thing that location was fantastic, it also came through that they had a lot of planning put into the trip. The guides were friendly and helpful and had extensive knowledge of the place, therefore always could recommend a place for any time of day and kind of light. Those little extras that food was plentiful and great were the cherry on the cake. If you are into puffins, think no longer!

Annette O'Connell

2017-07-19T19:40:57+0000

Just returned from my first visit to Skomer Island with Natureslens. From start to finish it was an exciting well organised trip.Sean and Kevin our host photographers were fun, knowledgeable and most importantly extremely helpful. In fact Kevin let me try out one of his lenses over 2 days.Despite not having the knowledge and experience of my fellow travellers through their help and that of Sean and Kevin I've come home with some much improved images. I plan on joining Natureslens again especially if either of these talented photographers are leading it.

Karen Jehan

2017-07-18T22:02:17+0000

Have been with them on 2 occasions to Skomer to photograph the Puffins, their trips are well organised with detailed information about what is included in the trip. The guides are knowledgable in making sure you get the shots you want and are great fun to be around.....their cooking isn't bad either! :-) Looking forward to the next trip to Greece.

Simon Armstrong

2017-07-06T18:58:20+0000

I’ve been on numerous Natures Lens workshops here in the UK and around the world, and can’t wait to go on my next one with them. The communication they provide is top notch, and ensures that the lead-up to the trip is as smooth as possible, you know what to expect on the trip, and most importantly, what to take with you!Once there, it’s clear that long and careful planning has gone into the trip in order to give you the most and best possible opportunities to photograph wildlife in their natural environments. They obviously take great pride in seeing what photographs their clients can achieve, and arevhappy to have some flexibility, if the trip permits, so that you can try and get that one shot you’re after. As always, the tour leads are experienced photographers and are more than happy to give you any help and advice you may want with your gear, composition, technique, etc.Most of all, a photography trip with Natures Lens isn’t a workshop - it’s a photography holiday. It’s an opportunity to share your wildlife photography passion with like minded people, take great photos, learn new things, see nature and wildlife at it’s best, and have lots of fun and make new friends in the process.

Trevor Firth

2017-07-04T08:54:43+0000

This was my first experience of an organised trip to Finland for the Brown Bears and I was not disappointed! It was a pleasure to be in the company of like minded passionate photographers quickly falling into a relaxed and enjoyable environment, apart from the damn mosquito's!As with all things nature there are dynamics outside human control and despite these challenges the Natures Lens Team of Pui and Sean kept us on the straight and narrow enhancing the experience with ad-hoc photography one on ones. I particularly enjoyed the portrait workshops in the low activity periods provided by Sean!The location and wildlife were stunning combined with some great people and new friends I cannot recommend this team enough and five stars do not seem enough for the experience.

Tamara Cartwright-Loebl

2017-06-29T02:43:52+0000

Brett Lewis

2017-06-26T10:29:43+0000

I've joined NaturesLens on just two occasion and each time we visited the natural history spectacle that is the puffin colony on Skomer island.For each trip the communications have been excellent and the details provided ahead of the adventure have enabled me to be well prepared for each trip.Once on the island the accommodation has been exactly as expected and the hospitality provided by the hosts has been excellent. Great, friendly banter and helpful in every way.The photography opportunities are boundless and the advice on offer is always close to hand. The team are considerate and are always checking to make sure the needs of their clients are met, with 1-2-1 opportunities for beginners and those looking to get the best out of their equipment. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time on the island and I'd highly recommend it.

Wayne Tuckwell

2017-06-26T10:19:49+0000

Have been on a couple of events with NaturesLens and have found them to be professional and well organised each time. Communication prompt and all details communicated in a timely fashion.Excellent photographic knowledge to help you get the best shots in the time you have.If you are in the market for a photographic trip, then NaturesLens are well worth looking at.

Ian Roberts

2017-06-26T09:38:12+0000

I've been on several NaturesLens holidays and workshops and never had a bad experience. Not sure what I'm most impressed with: Their planning is meticulous and they try to anticipate every eventuality beforehand. The locations are extensively researched and are difficult to better. Local contacts, guides and drivers are experienced, high quality, and know the best places to go to get the sightings. The 'tour leaders' are experienced photographers and can offer advice on settings and composition, but it does help if you are already familiar with your equipment. Accommodation and dining is high quality, even when it's simple and stripped back. Most of all, you're going to have fun with like-minded people. I can thoroughly recommend NaturesLens

Jane Hodges

2017-06-25T23:43:33+0000

I attended a two day Red Deer Workshop last Year which was superbly run. From start to finish, ease of booking to having a great tutor for the weekend in Sean Weekly. I managed to capture some great images despite the rather wet conditions. It certainly did not stop us as a group from having a brilliant time. I have made some lovely friends and I have already booked other trips with Natures Lens.

Peter Martin Bentsen

2017-06-25T21:17:04+0000

Very well organized, with all the right information before, under and after the trip. Often smaller groups which is a big advantage. Always ready to answer questions if you have any. They always strive to put the clients in the best possible situations for them to make some really nice shots. Natureslens is highly recommended and just really nice people too :-)

Vedant Dubey

2017-06-25T15:14:10+0000

One of the best tour company, with great photographic opportunities,

Sorcha Lewis

2017-06-25T14:53:56+0000

I did a wonderful birds of prey photography workshop with Natureslens. There was so much help and I learnt so many new photography skills. Everything was taught as you went along and at a natural speed and much of what I learned has really helped with my wildlife and general photography. So I'm just about to embark (today) on the bears of Finland trip. I'm really excited and know I'm in very capable hands as everything is so well organised by NaturesLens. I'm already looking ahead to which wonderful trip I should book in 2018. Love meeting like minded people on trips like this as well.Thank you for all your hard work; you guys are doing an amazing job.UPDATE: Wow Finland was amazing, we were provided with so many opportunities to capture and watch these amazing animals in the wild. I was really pleased with my pictures and had great help and advice with how to achieve the most from my camera and photos from Pui and Sean. Would definitely recommend.... enjoyed watching the red squirrels near the accommodation; so these were delightful to photograph.....

Alan Grant

2017-06-25T14:18:11+0000

Always good trips, with great photographic opportunities, and lots of camaraderie. Recommended.

Frederic Falconnier

2017-01-18T12:32:49+0000

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Tag Archives: puffin

When we publish an update, we’ll send you an update

galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales

July’s Three Days with the Puffins of Skomer Island

galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales, workshops

June’s Puffin Photography Holiday

galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales, workshops

Skomer’s Puffins in the Dark – Playing With Light

galleries, photography holidays, uk tours, wales

Golden Light & Puffins – Magical Photography

2017 – Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday Details

[/is_singular]

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

2017 – Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday Details

[/is_singular]

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED – FOR AN EQUALLY UNFORGETTABLE PUFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PUFFINS OF FAIR ISLE PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY.

2017 – Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday Details

[/is_singular]

Skomer Puffins Photography Holiday

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED – FOR AN EQUALLY UNFORGETTABLE PUFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PUFFINS OF FAIR ISLE PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY.

announcements

The anticipation of a return to the Skomer Puffins

announcements, wales, workshops

Puffin Photography Holiday in June on Skomer – one place available again

announcements, photography holidays, scotland, workshops

£200 off the Shetland Puffins of Fair-Isle photography tour

When we publish an update, we’ll send you an update