So I made two days. Well to be fair to myself I couldn't make today as I have the builders in and so couldn't go. Anyway what to write? Well the first day was pretty grim. The light was appalling, dark overcast with very little in the way of interesting hues and saturation to really produce anything worthwhile. However, it was not wasted as I got a good chance to scout good vantage points and watch the professional BBC cameramen at work. This week's Autumn Watch is featuring Snettisham and two cameramen were there on Sunday, one in a hide near the roosting birds next to the lagoon and one on the beach with the rest of us. Along with this cameraman there was a sound recordist. Nothing too over the top apart from the fact that they had permission to drive onto the reserve whereas we poor saps had to trudge the mile or so from the reserve with all our heavy equipment. But overall a bit disappointing photographically but vital prep work for Monday. So frustrated but satisfying day.
How many production staff does it take to get Chris Packham onto the small screen?
Monday arrived, spirits were high and the weather look a whole lot better. When I arrived at the car park it was already 3/4 full, this was at 6:30 am in the morning! people were rushing off into the murk to get a good spot. I took my time reasoning that the scouting I had done the day before and the later tide would mean that nothing would happen at least an hour later than Sunday. So I took a leisurely walk to reserve, again lugging my heavy kit the mile to the spot I had ID the day before. As I suspected this was missed by all the other photographers who headed further up the beach but I had my perfect spot with a really good and close view of the seething mass of Knot on a small island just below me. As I set up I got the usual strange looks but paid no attention as I had bagged the best spot.
So the morning progressed. The light got better and people started to realise that I was standing at the best spot on the whole beach. As nothing was happening I started to study the BBC production team that had turned up along with Chris Packham. This time instead of just the camera man and sound recordist, who would appear to have been the director/producer a second camera crew was on the beach as well as two young women who, for the life of me, didn't appear to be doing anything. Make up? Continuity? Provider of hot drinks? Who knows? What I do know they did not come in the cavalcade of BBC vehicles that were there today. They had to walk like the rest of us.
So the morning went on. Some activity but nothing special. I suddenly became aware that the BBC crew, their RSPB minder/guide and Chris Packham were showing interest in my position. Clearly where they were wasn't quite right. I had vision of them trying to dislodge me from where I had set up. Anyway this didn't happen but eventually they did come down to where I was standing. I must admit I did feel just a little smug, for all their undoubted experience and expertise I still had the best position! Small victory for the small guy.
So the day was wonderful, I captured some wonderful images and was able to wonder at the cost of the BBC production for that morning. I still cannot work out what the two women were there four. So as I was trudging back to the car the BBC cavalcade drove by, it was almost presidential some people even waved. I must say it was a bizarre end to a wonderful day.
