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Those of you that follow my blog may, or may not recall, the piece I wrote about my trip some years ago to photograph Europe's largest mammal, the Bison or Wisent, in the primeval forests of Bialowieza. Well, in conjunction with acclaimed Polish nature photographer Marek Kosinski, I will be leading a 6 day photography tour to this amazing place with Marek as our guide. There is simply no-one better to guide us. Marek who lives in Bialowieza itself, has been published worldwide, received many honours and in the March issue of BBC Wildlife magazine, had a double-page spread of a red deer stag running through a flock of cranes.
Bialowieza Forest is a huge area covering 1500 sq.km where, roughly, one third lies in Poland and two thirds in Belarus. The bison or wisent were reintroduced in 1929 where they had been hunted to extinction in 1919, largely by the occupying German army. Now, on the Polish side, there are 456 and including Belarus, 800. Each winter, in special areas, their feeding is supplemented and with Marek's expert knowledge of these sites, we are sure to get some amazing pictures of these huge animals in their natural environment. Two whole days will be spent tracking and photographing bison and the following 2 will be spent both in Marek's garden hide photographing birds such as nuthatch, nutcracker, middle spotted woodpecker, grey-headed woodpecker, hawfinch and sparrowhawk and Bialowieza's Specially Protected Area where entry can only be gained with prior permission from the Park's authorities.
This incredible part of the forest is the largest and finest example of primeval forest in lowland Europe, where massive, several hundred year old oaks stand 50 metres tall as a result of the nutrient rich soil. Trust me, It is a stunningly beautiful, yet eerie place, where no forest management has ever been carried out. The only means of transport within the forest is horse and cart. Where trees fall, they remain and among the tangled vegetation and fallen, decaying trees, wolves, lynx, boar and bison roam. Black storks, booted eagles and all 10 species of woodpecker exist within Bialowieza National Park, not to mention the endless list of plants and insects. If this hasn't been enough to whet your appetite, then maybe these images will!
Cost: £995 per person
Group size will be kept to a maximum of just 4, a total of 6 including Marek and myself. Price includes return flights to London Heathrow, all transport within Poland, guiding services and full board accommodation in single-room occupancy.
To register your interest and to receive a full itinerary, including all details concerning equipment requirements etc; please get in touch with me either by email at rmcanis@msn.com or telephone: 0044 (0)7939 117570
