Marine wildlife photography
We are offering small group and one-to-one charters along the South Devon coastline, providing new opportunities for photographers. We explore the hidden and secluded beaches of South Devon's stunning coastline where wildlife thrives undisturbed in its natural habitat. Our boat Star is a 7.5 metre (25 feet) comfortable Rib with room for photographers to move freely.
These are some of my photographs taken from Star in the last few weeks.
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Collections of photography from the beautiful sea
Common dolphins
The short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) that we are lucky to have in the area are curious and playful. I love the moment when they decide to swim over to us to check us out. They cut effortlessly through the sea, often spy hopping to see who is on board. They ride the bow waves, swim underneath us and emerge again, as if to tease us and test our photography skills. They can swim up to an impressive 50mph (60mk/h) making them some of the fastest animals in the ocean. They have a unique pale yellow and grey hourglass design on their sides, dark backs and white bellies. If we are lucky we hear the dolphins click and whistle to each other. Sometimes they launch themselves clear out of the water, performing somersaults and twisting spins.
Bait balls
Sometimes we see dolphins hunting for fish - they work together to corral fish into a tight, spinning sphere, bringing it towards the surface and taking turns to swim through it to feed. The spectacle this creates is astonishing to witness - from many miles around varieties of gull fly over to take advantage of the spoils, creating rafts of squabbling birds. The noise is loud, the dolphins dart about in earnest - the sound of their breath is unmistakable.
Sea birds
We sea many different sea birds here on the South Devon coastline - and all are a joy to photograph.
Manx shearwaters, gannets, guillemots, cormorants, shags, kittiwakes, black-headed gulls, black-backed gulls, fulmars, herring gulls, turnstones, oystercatchers and even peregrine falcons.
Atlantic grey seals
Seeing the Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) that inhabit our waters always brings a smile to my face. I love their curious nature, the underwater gymnastics. When hunting they can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes a time. At each low tide they tend to haul out their well insulated blubbery, bulky bodies on to the rocks to rest. They are the larger than other species of seal and an adult male can reach three metres in length and weigh between 170 and 310 kg (370–680 lbs) Females are smaller, weighing up to 200kg (440lbs). When in their presence, their size always takes me by surprise.
Some recent feedback
Jayne
f you are a professional or amateur photographer and have a passion for sea wildlife photography I can highly recommending taking a trip on Star along the stunning Devon coastline. Thanks to Naomi & Eddie you’ll be able to take your time capturing and exploring your photography with a professional, award winning wildlife photographer there to offer help and advice. With Eddie’s years of experience as a helmsman you know you’re in safe hands. His exceptional knowledge of wildlife behaviour and a lifetime of navigating Devon’s coastal waters means Eddie knows the best spots and positions the Rib for you to get that perfect shot. The scenery and views of hidden coves and secluded beaches is enough in itself. We had the most beautiful, amazing time out there. I came back with some wonderful photographs which I wouldn’t have achieved without the skill of these two and Star.
Andrea
Thank you both once again. What a beautiful Star that gave us a truly amazing experience. Please thank Eddie and yourself again. The trip was outstanding and healing. Absolutely amazing from start to finish. Felt safe and well looked after by Ed and Naomi. Their enthusiasm and local knowledge was truly outstanding .Cruised past some breathtaking coastline, sunbathing seals and different species of seabirds close up whilst receiving excellent commentary. Best boat trip that I’ve been on and I’m hoping to book again soon.
Ken
With Eddie’s local knowledge and undoubted skill on the helm, Naomi with her vast experience of photography and wildlife, and the recently refurbished RIB “Star”, this was the perfect trio for a photographic journey along the coast from Teignmouth.
Glorious weather to look forward to, and a gentle swell in the beautiful soft late afternoon light gave us the ideal conditions for finding and photographing the local wildlife.
Keeping close to the stunning red sandstone cliffs we saw plenty of cormorants: adults and juveniles were near enough to photograph in close-up detail. Then on towards Torquay and the Orestone rock. Just brief glimpses of seals on the way, but they were a bit shy!
Here the birdlife was mainly guillemots. Not the easiest to photograph due to their size and speed, but all credit to Eddie for keeping Star steady, and in the right place for us to capture these little beauties landing and taking off into the breeze.
Heading back to towards Teignmouth we were privileged to see groups of Manx shearwaters and Eddie managed to get us close enough to photograph them without disturbing them at all. The welfare of the wildlife was obviously Eddie’s number one concern.
Thank you so much for a lovely time, Naomi and Eddie, and to Star.