Horse Shoe Bat + Cat = HELP PLEASE!!!!!

[WouldBe]

They are also pretty loud with it too, indeed, if we were capable of hearing into their range, we would probably be cowering! In another roost of a different species, we recorded something over 400db, which is close to Concorde-level noise!

At 400dB your head would probably explode.

Isn't the threshold of pain 120dB?

 

[pogofish]

Not at the frequency of a bat call which is away outside our hearing range, although you did quite feel unwell quickly which was not entirely related to the smell/bad air in the place - you could work for hours when there were no bats around.

Even with a small colony of captive fruit bats, we could record in excess of 180db in the room they used as a roost.

 

[Cid]

None really, the bats are not bothered by it at all - There is a whelter of restrictions on photographing any protected species tho - ie, do not disturb the roost or any young, get permits where appropriate etc.

<snip>

The Ektachrome's more naturalisitc rendition (especially with flash) was better for the more scientific stuff. Much of the above will still be relavent for modern digital kit.

Excellent, very useful post - thanks. Don't think I'll get round to trying it this year as I'm in London and doing a lot of work... Yes, I know there're bats here, but I know the patterns of the ones in the countryside much better. Spent quite a lot of time just sitting outside and watching them flitting about. I've got a 105mm macro but the flash on my d70 is unlikely to be much help. Do have a lovely metz 45 system (which I borrowed off a friend of my mum's a few years ago... rather brilliantly it seems to be an 'oh sod it, I never do photography anymore - at least it's gone to a good home' type loan) but it's technically not supposed to be used with Nikon's digi hotshoes (which work at a different voltage or something iirc). Not really a problem mind you - will just use it with the FM2.

 

[pogofish]

Don't think voltage will be a ptoblem with the Metz at all. Trigger it manually via the pc lead, rather than TTL. Even a pc adaptor on the hot shoe is fine. I'm still using My old Metz & Bowens gear on digital this way & not had a problem yet.

 

[pogofish]

Should add that the bat season is about to end as they will be going into hibernation soon. Better to look to next year when they become active again. Also, you are less likley to run into any problems with young etcif you start early in the season.