My first Water Vole Photos!!

This morning was incredibly exciting for me. It was my second visit to a water vole site, and one that is excellent for photography. I've wanted to photograph these little mammals for ages, so to find such a workable spot is a dream come true; and it's only 20 minutes drive away..  The voles seem fairly active, and although I've only seen one at a time, I definitley saw different individuals.

They are a delight to spend time with. I had some views so close I couldn't quite believe it - and I was lucky enough to watch some natural behaviour too. I love to watch them swim - it's funny watching them with their heads above the water - but boy can they shift..!  Hopefully back tomorrow morning and then I will see what I can get over the next couple of months. Can't wait for some good light and beautiful reflections - that will really make the shots work..

Wildlife Photography Techniques: stalking mammals

I've recently spent a lot of time stalking a variety of wildlife including roe deer, brown hare and red fox - so here are a few tips that I've learnt that can make all the difference in getting closer:

1. Research your subject: not all animals have the same senses or see in the same way. Roe Deer for example see in monochrome - their sight is much more sensitive to movement and human outline.

2. Camouflage hoods are great, but it's still worth adding extra camouflage to break up the outline of your head. Stitch in green netting which can be stuffed with various grasses, bracken and even branches to make your head as un-human as possible.

3. Be aware of ground cover. Smaller mammals can be well concealed in summer - so you might need to keep a check with binoculars as you approach to be sure you're not being seen.

4. Stay low. It's hard work but keeping close to ground level is the best way to ensure you're not spotted.

5. Use AV mode so you don't have to worry about changing light as you get closer.

6. Try to use sunny days so you can use faster shutter speeds and hand-hold. Tripods/monopods can be very impractical in stalking situtations.

Hopefully off to try for my local short eared owl again this evening... fingers crossed!!

Photographing Red Squirrels

I actually photographed these red squirrels back in March, but it's taken me til now to process the images. At a private site I had the privilege of spending almost a whole day with a small group of reds, at the edge of a pine wood. These squirrels are so confiding that some would scamper right past my feet - I even had one that took an interest in my camera bag..! They really are one of the most beautiful of all our British wildlife - so dainty; so nimble, and a wonderful character.

Many thanks to the landowner for allowing me to spend time photographing these wonderful little mammals - it is much appreciated.

Wildlife Photography on the Farm

Farmland wildlife is an ongoing passion of mine and I have spent many hours over the years learning about the habits of the animals that live on a local farm - in particular brown hare and roe deer. Taken this morning, these pictures show that I am finally getting close to capturing some intimate images:

A roe buck wanders past one of the straw bales - pefectly relaxed.

Hares have always been a real favourite of mine which made today's encounter even more special. Lying on the ground in camouflage I was suddenly joined by up to 6 hares as they chased each other in circles; running, jumping - and momentarily stopping, allowing me to get some low level portraits.

I think I may have actually cracked it! I know what works, so it's a case of trying it again and being ready. Let's just hope the hares are still bounding with energy..!

Photographing Hedgehogs

Another visit to the local hedgehog sanctuary - they don't deal in anything else: just hedgehogs. As always it's great fun to get so close to these little mammals and I spent a good couple of hours following different hedgehogs around this urban back garden. I decided to use flash photography for these shots to make them look like they were taken at night... I experimented a bit first with my Metz CL4 flashgun; quite a beast and something I've hardly ever used. I placed a clear bag over the flash to soften the lighting - and you can definitely tell the difference. I couldn't help myself where plant pots were concerned... it may look a little twee but these type of shots continue to sell. One of the most fascinating things is to see a hedgehog annointing - they bascially create a smelly saliva mixture and lick themselves. No one apparently knows why, but it's great to get a shot of it! This one adopting a great pose whilst licking..!

And my day was finally complete as I turned my head from the viewfinder to find a baby hedgehog licking my arm... I feel well and truly honoured..!! Hope to get back for some more mammal photography; I've learnt a lot from this visit about the best way to shoot them...

A family of hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are one of those creatures that I just haven't managed to photograph so far, so imagine my excitement when I was told of a local lady who had a whole family in her care. These animals were amongst a number that had been taken in by a wildlife refuge.. cleaned up and looked after - before eventually being returned to the wild. This provided an amazing opportunity for me to endulge in some 'easy' and enjoyable photography, and to get to experience such a beautiful animal close up. I was first introduced to 'Hogrid' - an impressive adult with serious bulk. Ready with the camera on the ground, we simply put him down and let him wander the garden.

One thing was for sure - hedgehogs can move pretty quickly when they want to, and I had to be quick to shoot before he got too close to my lens. After a few images of this veteran animal, I turned my attention to two of the younger hedgehogs which were happily mooching around, and managed some pleasing shots of them with the older hedgehog. Using a wide angle lens was quite interesting as I could put them in the garden setting..

Finally, the tiny ones came out - and five of them! These hedgehogs were smaller than I had imagined, but absolutely beautiful. It was fascinating to see so much detail, such as the colouration of their backs, and their tiny feet and claws. The youngsters were a delight to photograph and it was hard not to admit to their 'cute' factor.

In a way, hedgehogs are a very forgotten animal - maybe because we rarely come across them anyway due to their nocturnal habits. It's hard to believe that this delicate, placid mammal is now under serious threat, but their numbers have plummeted. Those who get to hear their familiar bumbling and snuffling are indeed lucky to have such a visitor.

Frustrating Mammals

The last few weeks have been frustrating ones. Amongst other subjects I have been trying to capture decent images of an animal that I have never got close to. They are roe deer. Having seen them from a distance, and having erected a permanent hide at what I thought was the perfect spot, they still continue to elude, surprise, and just downright baffle me. Although frustrating, they are fascinating creatures. I have now been lucky enough to see them at much closer range, and watch a range of behaviour from 3 does and 2 bucks.

This image shows a somewhat lucky encounter with roe deer on a morning of thick fog.

This was a truly wild encounter and one that will stay in my mind for ever. At around 7am I entered this meadow, and through the fog, the unmistakable shapes of 3 roe deer suddenly appeared. With little option, I ducked down and stayed low whilst slipping on my camouflage hood and positioning my beanbag and rucksack. Slowly, one of the does got closer and closer, picking her way through the wild grasses, until eventually she reached a little clearing. Forced to to use manual, I focussed quickly and fired the shutter, managing just 2 shots. She looked in my direction - paused... then turned round and trotted off. The combination of the long grasses and thick fog make this quite a special image. It also makes me think how some of the best wildlife images are truly wild ones - uncontrived, completely natural... and a snapshot in time from a wild animal amidst its natural landscape.

As I write this, I am about to check the wind directions for the next couple of days. A westerly wind and I will be in my new hide - downwind of the deer, and in a spot that should see them walking straight towards me. Fingers crossed! If that doesn't work, then there's still the recent addition to the farm that may be 'photographable'. A beautiful short eared owl that seems to have taken to quartering the meadow - even in broad daylight...

An autumn day in the dales

With autumn probably my favourite time of the year, it's frustrating to admit that I got barely a few days of clear weather for landscape photography. When these days do come along though, I appreciate them all the more.. Last week was just one of those perfect mornings where everything was sweet - quality sunshine, side-lighting, clarity in the air, and some decent autumn colour lingering on the trees. This link shows just one image from that morning: www.paulmiguel.com/Paul%20Miguel/landscapes/dales/pages/buckdenaut.htm

My afternoon was not quite so inspiring in terms of weather, but a wildlife sighting made up for all that. As I waited for the light to break at Bolton Abbey, my eye caught a movement in the grass, and next thing I saw was a stoat streaking behind a tree and into a hedgerow... a fantastic sighting and very close too!! These animals are amazing and I think this made my whole week!! Now, if I could just get lucky enough to get the camera on one... One day it will happen!