Red Deer

I haven't taken many pictures for ages, so on seeing that the forecast a couple of weekends ago was for clear skies, I headed down to Richmond Park for dawn to photograph the Red Deer rut. Living so close, I end up going every year, but it does get very busy. One morning this year I counted 36 photographers all photographing the same stag, so then it can get quite difficult making sure there are no people in your backgrounds!

Anyway, when I arrived there was a fairly thick layer of mist over the ground, so I positioned myself to photograph into the sun as it came up. Unfortunately it didn't work out how I'd hoped, so I didn't really get anything. I then moved so I was photographing with the light, but noticed this stag bellowing from the shade. The painterly colours appealed to me, so I took a few shots of it.

When the sun did hit it, it was lovely warm light.

I'm off to Iceland on holiday within the next 6 weeks, so will be taking my camera kit there. Hopefully I'll be able to get some nice shots while I'm there.

Thanks for reading.

British Wildlife Photography Awards 2013

Just a quick post today to say that one of my images has been shortlisted in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2013, and therefore will appear in the book and on the website. It's a Bittern (surprise surprise!) taken during the winter in London,and I'm delighted to have made it through. This is now the third year running that I've had an image in the book and on the website, so I'm hoping to do ever better next year!

Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists, there are some fantastic shots in there this year. If you want to see the other winners, head to this site where there is an online gallery of them: BWPA Gallery

Cheers

Scottish Seabirds

Whilst away on holiday in Scotland last month, I managed to squeeze in a couple of trips to the Isle of May for some seabird photography. I particularly wanted to see the Arctic terns, having never seen or photographed them before, so was pleased to see a cloud-covered sky as we bombed along the water towards the island. After getting off the boat, the colony of terns is just in front of you, so I walked through the the very far end and photographed from there.

I then walked to the other ends of the island to try and photograph some puffins, on the way stopping off to photograph a couple of gulls.

And now for some puffins.

Thanks for reading.

Catching up

Wow it's been a long time since I've updated this. A combination of A levels in June and then being away for most of July has meant that I haven't posted anything on here since March! I suppose it's also partly due to a lack of photos to post as I haven't been doing much photography. I short trip to the east coast in April, an early morning session in Richmond Park also in April, and a couple of day trips to the Isle of May whilst I was in Scotland are pretty much the only photographic opportunities I've had since April. Oh and there was my quest for fox cubs at my local site for them. Naturally when I didn't have a camera I had fantastic views, and other than that saw bugger all, meaning I only got this this distant image of one of them. Something to work on next year...

My trip to the east coast wasn't particularly productive, but it's such a great place, and sitting in a hide listening to the chorus as the sun rises is something I don't get much of in London! I did get some shots though.

And  my trip to Richmond Park was because I was hoping to find some spring migrants, so I was very pleased when I discovered a flock of about 15 wheatears in the grass. They proved difficult to get close to, but in the end I got some I liked.

Next time I'll bring you some pictures of when I was on the Isle of May.

Thanks for reading.

A Focus on Nature

Today's post isn't going to be about my recent picture takings, but instead about an organisation called A Focus on Nature (visit their new website here).

It was founded in 2011 when a group of people involved in conservation decided to do something to help younger generations. There are now several supporters and sponsors of the project, including Opticron, birder and broadcaster Dr Rob Lambert of the University of Nottingham, Lucy McRobert, a recent graduate from the University of Nottingham, and Northshots Photography Tours.

"To encourage and engage with a young generation of committed, hardworking and passionate individuals, by opening their eyes, their minds and their imaginations to the exciting and continually changing world of nature conservation, through the provision of equipment, networks, advice and opportunities.

A Focus On Nature recognises…

• …the need to encourage young people aged 16 to 30 to get involved in, enthused about and passionate about the natural world. This encouragement needs to come in many forms – financial support, career advice, networking and experience.
• …that nature conservation is about far more than management – it is about writers, historians, policy makers, artists, film makers, photographers, agricultural students, scientists, teachers, politicians and tour guides. These all need to come from a younger generation and they need support to build their careers.
• …that using a variety of social media, online and live events and other promotional activities, the supporters & co-ordinators of the programme hope to recruit a team of committed young wildlife enthusiasts, supporting them with donations of optics, books and other useful equipment or services to use in their wildlife conservation activities.
• …that by focusing the eyes of young adults, we can focus their careers and their lives, for the benefit of not only the individual, but the bigger picture of nature conservation and the environment."

I have been lucky enough to be accepted onto their programme, and would strongly urge anyone else between the ages of 16-30 who are interested in any part of nature to apply. It's a fantastic opportunity to network and meet like-minded people, as well as furthering a career in conservation. Their judges meet twice a year to assess the applications, and successful entrants can win equipment such as a pair of binoculars, literature such as field guides, and mentoring by an expert in their field.

If do do decide to apply, you will need to submit an application form and an entry piece, which most show an appreciation of the natural world. On the form you need to give details about your education, and plans for future careers.

Their website is: http://www.afocusonnature.org/

I couldn't do a blog post without a single picture, so here's one of a lovely male sparrowhawk, shame it's not better, but it's the best shot I've got of one of these. While waiting for Bitterns, both the male and female sparrowhawks would zip across the front of the hide whilst out hunting.

Some more Bitterns

Most of my photography this winter has been spent with me sitting in pretty much the same chair in a hide waiting for Bitterns. On one occasion, I was watching one across a stretch of water when it suddenly erupted out of the reedbed and flew towards the hide into the reeds to the side of the hide.

It was great to see it ruffling out its feathers just before it took off.

I was back in the hide a couple of days after that, and in 7 and a half hours of waiting, I had 1 minute of photography, glad I didn't miss it! I had been watching one from the hide for a while, but it didn't come out until mid-afternoon, when it climbed up the reeds before taking off and flying away from me.

They won't be around much longer, and with this recent warm weather which is forecast to continue, I doubt it will be more than 2 weeks. Hopefully I'll get another chance to photograph them before they go!

Thanks for reading,

Oscar.

Bitterns 2013!

Almost a year ago to the day I photographed Bitterns as well as I had before. and was treated to spectacular views, all within London. Over this winter I've spent many many hours encamped in hides waiting for these elusive and expertly camouflaged birds to appear. There's no guarantee with them of course, but I've managed to get some images I'm pleased with over the past few weeks.

 This image was taken when one individual ventured very close to one of the hides, but never came out in the open, so the only opportunity for photographs was when its head appeared through the reeds.

One day, I had been sitting in a hide from 9.30, and it was fast approaching 4.30. The light was getting worse, and I was starting to think about packing up. It was lucky I didn't though, as at 4.20 one flew in from the main reedbed and into the reeds right in front of the hide. The above image has been altered however. I had to add some canvas onto the left, and also extend a couple of the reeds out to the left.

It then landed halfway up the reeds and stood there for about a minute.

The day after that I saw the birds from another hide, this time in lovely evening sunlight. It had gradually worked its way closer to the hide, and then emerged from these green reeds.

I did get some other pictures of Bitterns, so will share these with you next time.

Thanks for reading.