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| Skellig Michael |
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| South Kerry Camera Club at Skellig Lighthouse |
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| Puffins |
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| Little Skellig |
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| Richard explaining the history of the road to the Upper Lighthouse |
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| Skellig Lighhouse |
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| Club members on top of Skellig Lighthouse |
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| South Peak, Skellig Michael |
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| Mind the step, Puffin. |
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| Puffins |
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| Little Skellig and photographers |
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| Little Skellig |
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| Gannets, Little Skelligs |
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| Little Skelligs, severe landslide on the left |
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| Skellig Michael and Little Skellig |
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| Detail, Little Skellig |
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| Rock, Little Skellig |
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| Skellig Michael |
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| Gannet country |
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| Rocks and Gannets |
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| Razorbills |
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| Puffins and Little Skellig |
The South Kerry Camera Club went to Skellig Michael for a very special day of landscape and wildlife photography. The trip on the boat was the smoothest in years according to our skipper Ken Roddy. On the way to Skellig he stopped for a moment to give us time to admire the sunfish swimming right below surface with the upper fin flapping around. Arriving on Skellig Michael at 10 am we had time on our way to the monastery of Skellig Michael to take photos of the Puffins from all angles and even Razorbills and Sheerwater from a small distance. Kittywakes were still feeding their chicks on the rocks while the Puffin chicks were hiding inside little caves waiting to be fed. The sound of birds was everywhere, and due to the luck that we were the first group we had them all for ourselves. Arriving at the monastery was special as always, it is a feeling as you get it when you enter a chuch or a big concert hall, it must be the energy of the place.
On our way down from the monastery we could take more photos of Puffins, and the view from the higher angle is always different, looking over to Litte Skellig with its Gannets.
Arriving at the bottom of the steps we met our man Richard Foran, the Principal Lighthouse Keeper of Skellig Michael. Richard is a member of the Camera Club from the beginning and a dedicated photographer. He has the fastest camera in the group, a Canon 7d. Richard gave the group a guided tour trough the lighthouse and explained in detail how everything works and the historical background. It was most fascinating to hear all the stories and technical jargon from a man that spend all his life in lighthouses.
Below on the rock were 6-7 seals enjoying the fine weather, while we took photos.
On our way to the old lighhouse we admired the perfection of the walls and road that had been build with the two lighthouses and the dwellings in the 1820s. It was a great opportunity to take a picture of the lighhouse from the higher viewpoint. Coming down from the old lighthouse ruin we had lunch in the lighthouse dwelling room before heading back to the pier where Ken Roddy awaited us with the boat. The final part of our journey was a very slow visit of Little Skellig with its thousands of Gannets and a breathtaking landscape. The rock is almost white at the moment and the sound of the birds is very present. On the way home we reflected already on this beautiful day and the great photos we took.
After arrival at Portmagee it was time to celebrate the day with a pint outside the Bridge Bar, right in front of the harbour.
To make it even more special, Mairead Teahan, one of our club members gave birth to a little girl and her name is Ella today. All the best to Ella and what a day to be born, congrats Mairead. We are looking forward to take pictures of the young model.
