ECCG members had a wet drive down to Killarney early Sunday morning for the annual deer rut,arriving before 8 to be met on the bridge by about 30 other photographers awaiting for their chance to capture the deer in the rain.
Rain indeed was the main feature of the day but we managed to get a wide variety of shots despite the conditions and, surprisingly, managed to stay dry. We walked around the domain first and found deer in the field above the trees and then backtracked to where we could see the stags and hinds below us where we had a couple of good vantage points from around the road network.
We then decided to go down to Muckross Park, mainly for breakfast and then hopefully find deer across the road in the field by the entrance but they too must have been sheltering from the rain in the woods so we carried on up to the Jersey boat on the Upper Lake. The boat was not in an ideal position so, after a few brief shots, we returned back into Killarney and captured the deer in the field across the road from the entrance to Muckross as they had, by then, decided to come out of hiding. We then visited Ross Castle but the rain continued so we took refuge in Peter Cox’s gallery in Killarney and had a good look at his pictures.
Then, after a quick cup of tea in “Noelle’s” tea shop, as the rain had more or less stopped, we decided to go back to the Domain for one last look as it was after 3pm and thought we might catch some action late in the day. We were lucky as the rain stopped and the light improved which allowed us get some good pictures for the last couple of hours. We left the Domain around 6pm.
So we had a very long but enjoyable day and, looking at the pictures, we all managed to get some good shots despite the conditions.
Thanks to everyone that made the trip. Same again next year ???
Click here to see the gallery of images from the shoot. Enjoy!
– Keith Johnson
In what was one of the most anticipated shoots of the year, ECCG members headed to Portmagee, near Valentia Island, Co. Kerry on Sunday 27/7/14 to catch a boat to Skellig Michael, a rocky island with a 
The 50 minute journey to the island, while choppy, quickly allayed the apprehension of some of the land lubbers in the Group and all landed safely at Blind Man’s Cove following some deft maneuvering by the skipper. A 300 meter walk along the lighthouse road, that skirts the south side of the island, gradually rises towards the helicopter pad and about 50 meters further on, is located the beginning of the climb to the top.
At this point we were taken in charge by one of the resident guides, Cathy (yes they actually reside on the island for 14 days at a time!), who gave us some safety guidelines for our visit. Her advice was perfect as the climb to the top is not for the faint-hearted. There are no two ways about it, it is a dangerous place even on the calm, dry summers day that we experienced. The climb, on dry stone paving, is long and steep and there are very few handrails to grasp. That said, by following the advice of the guides to keep to the paths, go at your own speed, rest when necessary and stop if you feel it’s not for you, the island can be a safe and enjoyable place to be and is really worth a visit. Cathy also explained that the island is a World Heritage Site and underlined the need for visitors to protect and preserve its integrity by taking nothing from or leaving anything on the island.
The presence of thousands of puffins, seagulls and other birds who call the island home, for a time at least, is a photo fest indeed and only for the thought that there’s a return boat to be caught a few hours later, a photographer could easily spend the whole day just shooting them as they are really up close and in no way shy. 
From Christ’s Saddle another steep flight of steps brings you to the monastic site located on a terraced shelf 600 feet above sea-level, and developed between the sixth and eighth centuries. It contains six beehive cells, two oratories as well as a number of stone crosses and slabs. It also contains a later medieval church. The cells and oratories are all of dry-stone wall construction and a carefully designed system for collecting and purifying water in cisterns was developed. It has been estimated that 12-24 monks and an abbot lived here at any one time. A hermitage is located on the south peak. 
Two lighthouses and living accommodation were built on the island during the 19th century and, as lighthouse keepers were posted to the island for as long as four years at a time, their wives and families moved here also which must have been some experience for them. A second guide, Bob Harris, gave a comprehensive account of the history of the island from the earliest known reference in ancient books right up to the present day.
After an hour or so at the summit taking in the breathtaking views and marveling at the incredible engineering abilities and resilience of the monks and the lighthouse keepers that followed them many centuries later, we headed back down the steps to our boat which was waiting at Blind Man’s Cove. On the return trip we paid a close visit to the nearyby 
‘little Skellig’ island which is home to over 23,000 pairs of Gannets, one of the largest colonies in the world. Some seals were also found taking it easy around the island and barely raised their heads as we passed by. The return journey to Portmagee was a bumpy ride to say the least. With a stiff wind and large swell combining, our boat was buffeted quite a bit but we arrived back in port all in one piece and definitely glad we made the trip. What an experience! There was even talk of a return trip….