All new talks and other stuff

Phew, a long time since my last post. I have been struggling for a couple of years with an ailing computer and out of date software so although still snapping away I have done very little with the images.

All change now though with my new state of the art Macbook Pro complete with the most recent lightroom software. Both apple and LR are new to me so a steep learning curve awaits. So far though I am delighted with the image handling and other features.

I have done a fair bit of photography this year with material for talks on the Forest of Dean and Birds of Prey being my main target. I have also though been enjoying a sabbatical from work creating a collection of images of garden wildlife for the RSPB. The challenge of this and the variety has been very stimulating and I am pleased with the different techniques and styles that I have managed to use.

smooth newt

hedgehog

wood warbler

Exciting workshops

I have been working on workshops for this year including dates for the lovely bird of prey days in Mid Wales and a repeat of the popular reptile session on the Dorset heath. I have also organised a day with tame Hedgehogs and Harvest mice in the West Midlands. Full details are on the workshops page to the right.

In addition I will be hosting an Introduction to Wildlife Photography at the RSPB Sandwell Valley reserve where I will be describing the various aspects needed to get started out and begin to get great results photographing nature. Again full detail are on the right.

Two Islands

An opportunity to visit the beautiful island of Mull in July was welcome and in the one day of sunshine I managed to connect with White tailed eagle and also a pair of otters so was well pleased. Day two was rain filled but nice to have finally visited this celebrated island.

Later in the month another quick trip took me to Skomer off the Pembrokeshire coast. The sun shone and the puffins were very relaxed as they wait for eggs to hatch.

magic may

 

I was determined to really get out with my camera this month and make the most of what I think is the best month for wildlife. A brief trip to Loch Lomond was a great start and the black grouse lek where I spend two sessions was wonderful.

Then Mid Wales for a bird of prey day. Great subjects and such a variety of wonderful settings meant that even the weather did not stop the lovely images coming!

An afternoon at a hedgehog rescue centre was a smashing way to get up close a personal with such a charasmatic little animal and one that I had never before managed to do justice.

Then down to Dorset for two days with Britains amazing reptiles. All six species in one day and eight happy photographers...watch out for more dates soon!

focus4nature dates

I have just announced two more days to the focus4nature portfolio for this year. Added to another great raptor day in beautiful mid Wales in May I am also running an exciting new reptile photography day in Dorset.

In July I will also be leading a tour back to the lakes of Finland to make the most of exceptional opportunities to get close to and photograph ospreys and divers. Then later in the month it will be Finland again in search of bears and wolverines.

For all the information and more images visit the focus4nature website for all the tour details.

autumn mammals

The new mammal talk is nearly finished but good to add a few more shots this autumn.

at the bottom of the garden

This month I am doing some small mammal surveys for the mammal society. To get a bit of practice I have been working in the meadow at the bottom of my garden. Wood mice were the most common but this bank vole was my favourite.