Yorkshire Dales Calendar Image Front Cover

For the second year running, one of my images is appearing on the front cover of the Yorkshire Dales Calendar published by J Salmon. The image is a scene photographed just outside Hawes in Wensleydale. I almost didn't send this particular picture in - but that's sometimes the way it goes. The images you don't expect to sell do the best..!

J Salmon have been going for 100 years and still turn out a massive range of high quality calendars. They're also a really good bunch to deal with too.

Photographing Upland Birds

I recently had an amazing few hours on the moors above Grinton, photographing four different species of bird - all within a couple of hours. Lapwings, red grouse, curlew - and my first ever Golden Plover (!) all came within yards of the car. A perfect morning of wildlife photogaphy.

This was my first photo shoot of the morning - a beautiful lapwing chick that ran around the grass, every now and then peeping out and posing beautifully for the camera.

Summer offers good opportunities for young birds, such as this grouse family that bumbled along the heather close to the roadside. I had about twenty minutes with these birds, watching the chicks clambering over the heather - overseen by the parents all the while. The lighting here was just fantastic: the sun was now stronger so I shot towards the light and used a diffused flash for fill-in. I'm a big fan of this kind of lighting - and it worked so well here.

Probably my favourite encounter was with this curlew - partly because a good image of this bird has eluded me until now. Usually curlews are flying away from the car: this one was running towards me..! I couldn't believe my luck when it stood on a mound and posed perfectly... pure magic! I had a number of chances as the birds did circuits around my car, running behind me then flying in front, scuttling around and calling constantly. The light was lovely too - soft backlighting which is fast becoming my favourite type of light for wildlife photography... it gives a wonderful quality that I think highlights the delicacy of so many birds and animals.

This day had to be one of the best wildlife photography sessions ever - I can't wait to return! Definitely worth the 4.00am start!! Evenings would be great here too I imagine, but nothing quite beats the stillness and serenity of early morning, punctuated by the evocative calls of the upland birds on this Yorkshire Dales moor.

As part of my wildlife photography workshop programme for next year, I'll certainly be including this location - and with further visits, I'll know the best spots too.

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.

Landscape Photography in Malhamdale & Swaledale

I still have places on the Malham photography workshop and Swaledale meadows photography course. The Malham day is in just a few weeks, on Sunday 8th May. We will be photographing the dramatic scenes at Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, along with the tranquil spring woodland and waterfall at Janets Foss. These courses will start later in the day to maximise the light, with the opportunity of staying for sunset. All workshops include lunch and refreshments. Bookings can be made via email or phone, and payment via paypal. Mob: 07759 485791 Email: paul.miguel@ntlworld.com View all landscape photography courses in the Yorkshire Dales