Wildlife Photography Competition Finalist!

Another successful competition entry! This time in the Wildlife Extra wildlife photography competition. Click Here to view my image and other finalists. Unfortunately I didn't manage to win the birds category but still pleased to have got so far.

The photo was shot at Adel Dam nature reserve near Leeds, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve. It was taken from the lake-side hide early one summer morning. Herons are often present, as are kingfishers. Foxes and roe deer are regularly seen at the woodland edge and this was the second time I had seen at least one fox snoozing close to the lake. I followed this particular heron as it waded through the water in changing light. As it neared the foxes I expected a stand-off; instead both foxes and bird carried on regardless, providing this unusual wildlife image. I think both knew where they stood: the heron was safe enough in the water and the foxes knew the heron was aware of their presence... or perhaps the heron was a bit too big to tackle. !

Image shot with Canon 20D; 300mm lens plus 1.4x converter; f5.6 at 1/320; ISO 200; beanbag

Photography Competition - Best of Yorkshire's Summer

I have recently been asked to judge a photography competition for Disability Action Yorkshire - the theme is "The Best of Yorkshire's Summer". Images can be of anything as long as they depict summer and are taken within Yorkshire. Disability Action Yorkshire is a charity and social enterprise providing services for disabled people, so all funds will go towards helping those with disabilities. You can get more information from their website at
www.disabilityactionyorkshire.org.uk/about.asp

There are some good prizes on offer and the winning image will be published in Photography Monthly magazine. Why not have a go and help a worthy cause at the same time. If you want some tips and techniques then why not browse this blog, or check out some of my articles:
http://searchwarp.com/swa349029.htm
http://searchwarp.com/swa349034.htm

Long Tailed Tit image Highly Commended

My image of a long tailed tit braving a snow storm was recently highly commended in the 'International Garden Photographer of the Year' competition. Thousands of entries came from all over the world for this prestigious competition. It is particularly satisfying to see a common British species make it this far. The image is without doubt one of my favourites from last year, and it goes to show that making that extra effort can make all the difference, whether it be lighting, composition or weather conditions...

Click on the link below to see my image along with the other commended photos.

www.igpoty.com/competition03/gallery_LifeGarden_6.asp?parent=gallery