This is the first time I have done an end of year round-up and I have to say, I rather enjoyed it. I like to think of myself as a fairly productive photographer but as the months and years roll by, often forget what I have taken in just 12 months.
So, hear they are and I do hope you enjoy my recap and, if you've never done something like this before, why not give it a try?! It's sure to bring nack some wonderful memories and, perhaps, point out those subjects that you need another stab at.
Realising that many of you are photographers and that I often get emails requesting technical data, I have included this in the caption so hope you find this useful. However, as I have said previously, please don't get too bogged down with gear and shutter speeds. Being out there, whatever the weather and with whatever equipment you own, is the key to witnessing and recording nature in all it's forms.
Barn owl.I had been working on these owls for some time on private land on the Isle of Sheppey. On each visit, I would park my 4x4 in more or less the same spot and so they became quite used to my presence. On this particular occasion it perched on an oil drum opposite me and thinking that, perhaps, it might fly past my window to one of it's favourite perches, I pre-focused on a spot approximately 6 feet from me so that the autofocus wouldn't have to move too far to lock on.
European bison crossing railway trackI led a tour to Eastern Poland in February where we enjoyed near perfect snowy, bright conditions. Marek Kosinski, our guide, had noticed that the herd were making their way to a railway embankment which they would probably climb and then walk over the railway track. It was a good 10 minute fast-paced hike but worth it when all of us were in position just as they crossed.
Greylag geese in territorial disputeSpring on the marshes is a special time of year when lapwing, redshank, avocet and geese, amongst others, are vying for attention and squabbling with competing males. This par had been chasing one another both on and off the water for some time and when they took to the air it was enough for me to keep them in the frame, such was their speed and acrobatics!
Short-eared owlShort-eared owls are not all that tolerant of other owl species so it came as no surprise that once they took up residence on the same spot as the barn owls, the latter soon disappeared! I have an adage. "If you're not there, it won't happen!" In other words, if you don't put yourself in situations, regardless of the light or time of day you may lose out on capturing a one-off image. This was a case in point. The forecast was for wet and windy but I drove the 15 miles, anyway, just to see if anything turned up and I always love spending time on the marshes. The weather was horrendous with strong winds and hail. The owls were clearly tucked up. Sheltering. After an hour, the dark, brooding clouds moved on, the sun came out and the shorties hunted for a full 30 minutes, just metres from my car!
Storm clouds over the Sheppey CrossingJust as above, the weather looked far from promising but I went regardless. For 90 minutes the clouds morphed into wonderful formations. It would have been foolhardy to use a tripod as the conditions were changing so rapidly. I had never before, or since, witnessed a cloud spectacle quite like I did that afternoon. Biblical!
Cattle grazing on the North Kent Marshes at sunriseCattle are an essential part of the management process, here, producing areas that provide ideal breeding conditions for such species as redshank, meadow pipit and skylark. It was one of those pefect mornings. Still and misty with the sound of birdlife all around. I guess you could say I was simply in the right place at the right time.
Dragonfly on the North Kent Marshes at sunrise.It was a beautiful, still dawn on the marshes when I went searching for dragonflies. Determined not to produce straight record shots, which say little about the environment in which they live, I went about producing a more pictorial and contextual image in order to impart onto the viewer the kind of morning I was experiencing.
Sea mist sunsetI was leading a workshop at Dungeness when we had the most magnificent sunset. I, like the others, began shooting boats silhouetted against the setting sun until I turned 180 degrees and saw the simplest of compositions, more powerful than those I had composed moments earlier.
Swirling streamWorking in the Dark Peak region of the Peak District, I avoided shooting wider scenes, instead looking for details. Hard to do in autumn when there is so much colour surrounding you! I came across this small waterfall and branch that dissected the image and attached an ND filter in order to create the swirl.
Saffron-drop bonnet mushroom in beechwoodI had spent several days shooting autumnal scenes in a very small area of beechwood and became more and more fascinated by the symbiotic relationship between the miniature and the gigantic. With this in mind I strove to illustrate this as best I could.
I would like to say a big thank you to all of you that have taken the time to read my blog and, or, follow me on facebook. To my workshop and tour guests and, generally, for supporting my work over the last year. I look forward to meeting some of you, again, in 2013 as well as seeing new faces and wish you all a happy and fulfilling New Year.
Should you have time, do let me know in Comments which is your fasvourite!
