Gambia 2016 - A return to the smiling coast

The Gambia...

The country that has captured my imagination and thoughts for years, ever since I became interested in wildlife really. I finally visited the smiling coast in November 2014 with AJ and, despite its brilliant moments, I came away feeling a little flat and almost disappointed by the experience. 

Don't get me wrong, the wildlife, local people, food and climate are fantastic. It was however the behavior of the "guides" around Kotu which soured a lot of the experience for me. This went beyond mere hassle or persistence to getting us arrested, along with our friend Dave, on our first morning in The Gambia. For the rest of the week the unjust and simply disgusting way that we had been treated for simply going for a morning walk with a friend stayed with me and I have vowed never to return to the coastal strip. 

This time however is different. A week long trip on my own to the coastal lands around the village of Kartong. Monitored by Colin Cross, once of Norfolk, this area is regarded by many as the best site in The Gambia. At just 1.1 miles long by 0.8 miles wide this area is about twice the size of Titchwell RSPB here in Norfolk. To date there has been over 350 species recorded at Kartong, and with so few birders present no doubt many things have gone amiss. 

The area is a mixture of reedbeds, pools, thick scrub, grassland, fragmented woodland and beach zone. This mixture of habitats is a fantastic mix for birds visiting as migrants and also for the resident species. A 2 hour walk around the site can reveal many species and almost all give superb views. The site is also home to breeding White-Fronted Plover, a rare breeder in the area now. 

As well as the typical and some rarer African species Kartong also attracts many Western Palearctic migrants that are more familiar to European birders. This adds to interesting array of species one can see at Kartong and means a surprise is often not too far away. 

From the 19th January I will be posting daily updates from my exploration of the area. With the area to myself for the week I am hoping to bring up a surprise species or two as well as photographing as many of the species present as I can. 

Next update on the 19th. Thanks!

Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary

After using the Canon 400mm L F5.6 for so long, and being generally happy with it, it was a bit of a gamble to consider changing it for any lens, let alone a sigma zoom lens.
Having owned the 120-400mm sigma a few years back made the decision even more of a gamble. The 120-400 wasn't a bad lens but the step up to the canon 400mm f5.6 was very noticable and it was an easy decision to change.
I also briefly owned the 120-300mm F2.8. Another fine lens, from F4, but not one I clicked with due to the weight and lack of reach trade off.

So after owning the canon 400mm f5.6 for around 2 1/2 years I have taken the plunge and gone for the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary.

First Impressions

The Sigma is a lens that oozes superb build quality and ruggedness. There isn't a weak component on it and i've been pleasantly surprised by just how well finished it is. It does lack the real proper weather sealing of the Sport series but for the most part it feels like its up to the job.

The size, especially at 600mm, is a little daunting for use as a walkabout lens, however I found that it is a comfortable lens to carry and the size really isn't a problem. The weight as well takes a few minutes to get used to. While not in the league of the 120-300mm Sport series lens this is still a weighty lens. It does however feel well balanced at every focal length when attached to my 1D mark iii.

Ergonomically it isn't perfect however. The zoom mechanism isn't the quickest and it takes quite a significant rotation to increase focal length quickly. The manual focus ring could also be a bit on the larger side, it can be difficult to locate it to start with on a lens of this size.

Overall the Sigma is a great lens to hold and use, a big step up over the older 150-500mm and 50-500mm offerings. Its use of high quality materials, which feel really well put together, and excellent weight distribution make this a lens you can pretty much pick up and use. Its weight and size are a bit daunting to start but once my arms were used to it then I found it easy to follow birds in flight.

So a good start, but not quite perfection. 8.5/10

Image quality

Coming from a lens as sharp and technically superb as the 400mm F5.6 Canon to a Sigma zoom had me seriously fearing a reduction in image quality.

I can't really fault the Canon so the Sigma is already on the back foot. However it quickly redeems itself by offering excellent sharpness from 150-600mm. At 600mm it does help to knock it down to F7.1 or F8 but even at F6.3, in good light, the sharpness is clearly there and it only takes some minor tweaking in lightroom to bring the images to a par with the Canon 400mm.

At the same focal length (400mm) and at the same aperture (F8) I actually think the Sigma could have a slight edge, but again it is nearly impossible to pick this up looking at the images as they are.

Colour, contrast and out of focus backgrounds are all excellent and make for enjoyable images. I don't really have the knowledge or experience to go into the crazy amount of detail that some reviewers go into but to my eyes the images are pleasing overall.

Overall, especially for the sub £800 price tag, the Sigma 150-600 performs very well and delivers excellent images, almost certainly on a par with the Canon 400mm F5.6 L.

9/10

Final thoughts

Overall i've been very pleased with my purchase. It is a big change going back to a large zoom lens, but not one I am regretting so far. The big acid test will come next week in The Gambia. I don't think I will regret changing lenses so close to going away and I am sure the Sigma will perform to the level I need it to.

Sample Images

Some images from my first day out with the lens

Fuji X-S1 - Why this "bridge" camera when I have a DSLR?

The Fuji X-S1...Released in late 2011 this camera originally cost £700. This was a VAST amount for a bridge camera with a small sensor (Compared to DSLR) despite its huge flexibility, light weight, and up to date technology.
With a few initial lens and sensor issues thrown in the camera was a relative flop at the time of release but enjoyed a loyal band of followers who sought to find out its maximum potential.

Roll forward 3 1/2 years and I have finally managed to acquire this unique and often under appreciated camera. But why? With an arsenal of a Canon 1D mark iii and Fuji's incredible X-T1 available where does the X-S1 fit in? and why have I bought it?

Well...i've bought it because it is the camera which got me I have desired since its release. Out of my price range for a while at just £140 it is now a steal. It allows me to have a camera I can keep with me at all times and not worry about, something I do often with my obvious Canon and expensive X-T1. It has the flexibility I have also desired for a while, allowing me to take quick snapshots but also bird photos to a reasonable quality.

So it really is another arrow in the quiver really. Not a camera I will use for serious work but a fun one to try and get the best out of and to enjoy for casual use and for driving to and from work if a wildlife moment presents itself.

Here are a couple of early test shots:

Norfolk Marsh Warbler - The songmaster general

A quick post. A day off (Although after seeing so many in Poland I wasn't in the greatest of rushes) allowed me to get down to Narborough to see the very showy Marsh Warbler.
It did not disappoint!

Witamy w Polsce: Poland 16th-24th May 2015

Poland is widely known as one of the best birding locations in Europe. Its vast expanse is home to many different habitats and within them an incredible diversity of wildlife.

The classic locations for a lot of birding trips to Poland are the ancient forest of Bialowieza and the seemingly never ending marshes of Biebrza.

Located a short way from the borders of Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine these areas offer western European visitors a chance to see some eastern bird specialities which only really turn up as vagrants in the UK.

There are also a wide variety of mammal species, including Wolf and Lynx, which hold a special fascination for many wildlife lovers.

Our itinerary is split into two parts. The first four days will be spent in Bialowieza where we hope to come across the Woodpecker and Owls of the ancient forest, as well as many other species. Mammals including Bison, Elk, Lynx and Wolf are all possible and will be searched for.

The final four days are to be spent in Biebrza with Aquatic Warbler and Great Snipe among the highlights.

With a wide range of sites to visit we are hoping to experience the wilderness of this ancient landscape and see its fantastic wildlife.

Where possible there will be daily updates.

With less than 36 hours to go, the excitement is building!

Enter the 1.4: First use at Thornham

Decided to invest in a 1.4x extender mark ii to use with my 1D mark iii and 400mm F5.6
First test tonight in great light at Thornham and very pleasing results attached below.

11th May - Hares at home

Beautiful day but with work and being knackered after driving back from Wales last night (and a bit emotionally drained at missing both Citril Finch and a weird Subalp (Not actually that fussed)) meant no birding today but great views of Brown Hare outside my house this morning.

One didn't hang around but this one actually ran towards my car and settled at close range, although against the light.