Too close to a Roe Deer?

It's been a while since I've been out to photograph my roe deer, having other wildlife and landscape subjects to concentrate on. With a good forecast I decided to set out early in the hope of a successful stalk that would lead to good pictures. This particular morning I got lucky, spotting a lone buck resting in the long grass. I stalked nearer using the hedgerow, then carefully crawled between the barb wire of a fence. Finally I was at the edge of the meadow and could see that the buck was sleeping. I was already pretty close but needed to get a little nearer. A minute or so later, after dragging myself through the wet grass, I was ready. Now was the time to rise above the grasses. I rose up and made a noise. No reaction. I did it again. Nothing. Finally after getting louder and louder the deer opened its eyes and looked in my direction. By this point I was half stood, ready with camera. I fired the shutter as he looked my way, and then quickly he was up on all fours. I was in fact too close!! I fired just two frames before he fled, then watched him leap towards the wood, barking gruffly in annoyance. From the two clear shots I took, one had the antlers out of frame: the other was perfect. I had got lucky..

Short Eared Owl Photography

Every so often we find an opportunity that we just wished we had taken earlier: in this case it's short eared owls. I've watched them hunt the grassy meadows on my friend's farm, and although I was pretty sure, I could never say for certain that they were nesting - in fact it seemed unlikely given the setting - and so close to Leeds. But now I have confirmed it! One of the great things about young owls is that they are just so noisy..! It didn't take long after hearing one pipe up, to realise that there were at least two young owl fledglings sitting in the trees - and the adults were still bringing in food. If only I'd figured this a couple months earlier..!! The picture opportunities would have been amazing.. Still, it's good to know they are at home here and I'm already looking forward to next spring.

Shorties always fill me with excitment. There's something magical about this bird - almost in the literal sense. For such a big bird they are incredible at keeping themselves hidden here on the farm. For one to suddenly arrive in the middle of a field in broad daylight is rather a shock - especially given their size. To watch them hunt is a privilege. Graceful birds, and surprisingly agile as they follow the hedgerows and flap low over the meadows. One of the best things about these birds is that they are relatively easy  to photograph as they will hunt the same fields, and they seem to take little notice if you stay quietly at the field edge. These shots were taken just before 9 p.m. - beautifully backlit in golden light. I tried my vole impression but the owl didn't seem interested... must work on getting it right.. Simon King did a great job with barn owls.. I think I need a higher pitch...  Anyway, I'm hoping that the young birds hang around for a while and maybe I'll get to see them practising their own hunting skills... 

How to Photograph Roe Deer

Although I've entitled this blog "how to photograph Roe Deer" I'm not sure I still really have the answer to that. Having said that, after many hours of watching these incredible animals and trying my hardest to get close to them, I've finally managed some close up shots of the deer in their natural habitat on the farm.

It's funny how some days, everythings seems to happen at once. This was the case on the morning I took these images. Hidden behind a straw bale, with my camouflage, I was treated to a beautiful buck wandering into the field at close range. the sun was just beginning to break as I watched him sniffing and snorting. I had to make a few clicking noises to get him to look up: he eventually decided not to trust the strange 'clicking' straw bale and slowly stepped through the hedgerow into the next field. About an hour later I spotted a female grazing at the edge of the field and was able to use one of the bales to quickly move about 50 yards or so to get withing shooting distance. I hit the ground with camera on beanbag and waited for her to step out. I didn't have to wait long before she was in full view, allowing for some lovely portraits..

I've learnt a lot about the deer - particularly in the last couple of months. Above all it's important to keep your head camouflaged, and I've found that with no movement they will largely ignore you - even at relatively close range (provided they don't catch your scent). But perhaps the biggest lesson has been in realising just how easily they move around the farm without being seen. I totally underestimated this - and now I know to keep a constant check with binoculars when approaching their feeding grounds. Many a time they stick to the hedgerows and are surprisingly well camouflaged. This probably explains how I have suddenly come upon a deer when turning a corner on so many occassions!

With the grass now getting longer I will go for pure hand-held stalking, using the long grasses as concealment. Watch this space as hopefully there will be more roe deer images to post.!

Bird of Prey Photography Workshop - Farm buildings and barns

I still have places remaining on the 14th May Birds of Prey Photography Course. The workshop takes place on a rural Yorkshire farm; we will be using the buildings, barns and variety of farm machinery, along with other natural perches to photograph barn owl, little owl and kestrel. We will also be shooting a stunning male goshawk in the surrounding countryside. Click here to see previous images from these birds of prey workshops in north Yorkshire. These days are ideal for anyone with an interest in wildlife photography who wants to practice and develop their skills.

Yorkshire Red Grouse Photography

I recently spent an enjoyable day with a client on one of my Yorkshire Dales Birds Photography Courses As usual there was plenty around, with lapwing, curlew and oystercatcher shouting across the moors. The curlews are particularly difficult to photograph, and although we saw plenty - they were mostly in flight as they passed over the car.. As often is the case, the red grouse were out in force - mostly males who posed obligingly by the roadside for minutes at a time as we endulged in some perfect wildlife photography (congratulations Craig on your first grouse photo!) We were even treated to some classic calling, and a bit of interaction with the odd female. At the end of the day I was lucky enough to capture some cracking images - some of my best to date of red grouse. The low evening light created beautiful backlighting of the birds and the surrounding heather. I varied the shots: some with fill-flash and some without and managed to record some interesting poses.

I am planning more of theses nature photography workshops later this summer to capture the grouse when the heather is in bloom, along with other potential subjects and locations.