Chester Zoo ..... Tiger

We had a wonderful day at Chester Zoo, the early morning showers soon cleared to a beautifully sunny afternoon. My objective today was focussed on the big cats, and I achieved some decent shots of 2 of the 4 species I targeted, the first post is of my favourite ... Tigers. 
The cubs that were born in October are now 8 months old, and quite grown up, but still have that real cute factor!! Hope you like the photos.... my next post will be the Asiatic Lions.

Chester Zoo ......

Fingers crossed we are off to Chester Zoo in the morning..... hopefully the weather will be kind and the camera finger will get lots of exercise!! I just love going to the Zoo, everyone has different opinions on keeping animals in captivity, personally so long as they are kept in excellent conditions as they are at Chester, I'm 100% all for it and the huge efforts they make in the conservation of the many animals they have. In an ideal world as a Wildlife Photographer I would love to be shooting these animals in their natural habitat, but this comes a close second.
That last time I went was late last year and was really pleased to get some great Tiger shots, that can be seen HERE .
Looking forward to a great day....... photos to follow

Swans in the mist

Another post from the missing few months when I didn't update the blog, I will try over the coming weeks to do this and hopefully bring it right back up to date.
Todays post goes back to March, Sharon and I where up in the Lakes walking, and it was on our way out one morning whilst driving along the shores of Ullswater, I noticed a pair of Mute Swans that looked amazing in the early morning mist. A quick stop and rattled off a few shots and was pretty pleased with the results.

In search of a Bittern...

For many years I have been trying to see and even better photograph a Bittern..... the birders out there will know how annoying it is to turn up in a hide only to be told 'you should have been here a few minutes ago' well this has happened to me numerous times, and it has always involved Bitterns. I was determined this year that I would nail this bogey bird, and after hearing they were showing well at Meresands Wood, I made the trip and the bird gods were looking after me, seeing not one but two great Bitterns, they were some way from the hide, but nevertheless I did it!!!

Moel Famau Sunset

We had a beautiful walk up our favourite fell last night.... Moel Famau, part of the stunning Clwydian range in North Wales, ideal as its right on our doorstep. This is where my sisters ashes are buried, a very special place for many reasons, and on a beautifully sunny night, it was really nice sat on the top under the Jubilee Tower watching the sun set beyond the Irish Sea. A series of photos below, experimented with some silhouette shots of Sharon against the sunset and really pleased with the outcome.


The climb up Moel Famau to the Jubilee Tower

The top of Moel Famau, the Jubilee Tower, a bit of info on it can be found here

The sun starts to set over the Irish Sea

The Tower starts to glow reflecting the setting sun

Sharon taking in the beautiful sunset

The sun sets on a perfect evening

Will it ever stop raining !!??

This Saturday, Sharon and I travelled up to the Lake District, to meet up with friends, to walk up Place Fell. Normally a beautiful walk up from Patterdale, the rain started as we arrived in the Lakes and got progressively worse, with many roads flooded as we approached Patterdale. The start of the walk wasn't too bad in light rain, but the showers became increasingly heavy and more frequent, until when we had reached the top it was almost persistent. 
But it was great to meet the crowd again, and also Gretchen and Linda who had travelled over from California, and were treated to some real Lakes weather. The camera didnt come out today much, but a few shots below give you a flavour of the conditions.

Goldrill Beck, well above its banks as it flows through Patterdale

Lots of the fields now quickly flooding at the head of Ullswater

Lots of water coming down off the Fells.

Its a harsh life on the open fells, Place Fell in the background.

Lovely colours on this path on our descent.

Even at home the local wildlife that visits my garden is looking a bit fed up with all the rain!!

A few more from the Farne Islands

We visited the Farne Islands at the beginning of the month, and once again struck it lucky with the weather, some Puffin, Guillemott and Shag shots to follow. More shots can be seen by clicking on the relevant page tab to the right.

Not really Wildlife.... but sooooo cute!!!

Now I'm not really a cat lover, mainly because they are bird killers!! but I could not resist getting these kittens in front of the camera on our recent trip to Greece.

Its been too long !!!

Its felt like an age since I last updated my blog, been concentrating too much on other things, and have somewhat neglected my blog, hopefully will put that right and keep it updated a little more.
Lots been going on in recent months on the walking and wildlife front and I will try and summarise it with a few photos. Also lots coming on the horizon, the main project I am workinbg on now is selecting photos to produce as prints to go on sale, as well as getting out with the camera and walking if the rain ever stops!!
One of the most recent highlights was a trip up to the Farne Islands, and to see the amazing Puffins

I have wanted to get some shots of Hares for a long time, and whilst out last week caught sight of one hunkered down in a field on the Wirral

Another shot I have been after for some time, is that enigmatic pose on the side of a tree of a nuthatch, this I got at Pistyll Rhaedr Falls, on the Berwyns in North Wales.





On the walking front, the highlight has to be the trip to Greece to climb Mount Olympus, standing at 2917m or 9570ft, it is one of Europes highest, and was an amazing experience that I will long remember. I went with Sharon and a group of friends, and the two of us can proudly boast that we were the only ones to climb it from sea level to the top. An amazing week in Greece, and a few photos below.


The first is in the Enipeas Canyon on the first day trekking up Olympus, one of the most stunningly beautiful walks I have been on








The team as we are well and truly above the snow line





And successfully at the top





And as we left on summit morning, sunrise over the Aegean from the refuge at 2000m up Olympus.





One of my favourite photos this year has to be the two Mute Swans on Ullswater in the Lake District, they looked so serene on a misty spring morning.





So much more that I havent published, I will get some more up of the missing months in my next post.....