Too many deer?

January 27 2010

Here we go again on the 'too many' trail. Too many of this, not enough of that. Are there too many red deer in Scotland? Rarely a week passes when I don't receive someone's view on that. The question is inextricably linked with tradition, employment, culture, social values, animal welfare, ecology, forest restoration, even the return of wolves. It's less than straightforward.

This image is a small piece in the jigsaw, a jigsaw that is a multi-agency initiative to manage Scotland's deer in a more sustainable way - maintaining traditional employment whilst ensuring deer numbers are kept in line with the carrying capacity of the land. It was taken on Alvie Estate near Kincraig in the Cairngorms where the estate management are venturing into deer tourism as not only a revenue stream, but as an opportunity to educate visitors about the complex issues surrounding Scotland's deer.

Photographic sessions are available December through March, weather permitting. Contact: David Kinnear (01540 651255) www.alvie-estate.co.uk

Help the heroes!

January 25 2010

There are some people that just get on with it; they make things happen. Philip and Myrtle Ashmole are perhaps not names known to a mainstream audience, yet they are heroes, pioneers, beacons of hope in a world dogged by pessimism. The couple, along with a small team of dedicated enthusiasts, have, over just a decade or so, restored from scratch an extensive native woodland in the Scottish borders. Not just a few trees mind, no, this is a big forest, a wild forest, a forest that shows what can be achieved given the will.

Please buy this book and read their inspiring story and when you've read it, join the Borders Forest Trust at: www.bordersforesttrust.org

Facebook Friends?

January 24 2010

It's nice to have friends and I've never had so many. Everyday several e-mails pop up asking to be my friend...from all over the world, from people I don't know. And then yesterday, on the unwelcome occasion of my 47th birthday, I have so many birthday greetings from my friends, I'm a tad overwhelmed if I'm honest. Not so much by the kind gestures but by the somewhat surreal route by which they were conveyed.

I have a Facebook page but I don't understand it. I don't understand the concept behind any of the social network sites. I'm not complaining - after all who doesn't like friends - I just don't get it. There are many things in life I don't get - you may have noticed. But don't let this put you off being my friend! You can be a Northshots fan too - but that's different, or at least I think it is.

Fairytale wolf

January 20 2010

It seems that after a lengthy investigation, the judges of the Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year have determined that the winner, Fairytale Wolf, was exactly that, a fairytale.

The Spanish photographer who took the image has always maintained the wolf was wild but the judges say the wolf is 'likely' to be a model (a tame wolf that can be hired for photography).

To my mind, if the rules have been broken, it is regrettable but inevitable. The crisis will pass and we'll turn our attention to other more pressing issues. As for Jose Luis, the photographer, he will undoubtedly lose what many photographers hold most dear: his reputation.

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/statement.jsp

WWE at IYB

January 16 2010

The European launch of IYB (International Year of Biodiversity) was recently held in Berlin. Wild Wonders of Europe produced a 15min.AV production which was shown to the gathering of international environment ministeries. See a low-res.version here:

http://www.northshots.com/Gallery_Videos.asp

A mile from home.

January 14 2010

2010 is the year for working closer to home - perhaps not exclusively, but in the main. It's better for family life, it's better for the environment but I think it's also better for my photography. Getting to know somewhere well - and you can never know anywhere well enough - is a recipe for squeezing the very best out of its photographic potential.

This image was taken just 100 metres from my front door a few days ago. More at: http://www.northshots.com/gallery_eXhibition.asp

Spirit of Wild Places.

January 12 2010

I'm pleased to be delivering The Spirit of Wild Places lecture at the John Muir Trust AGM on Sat. 8th May in Aviemore (conveniently). The show, NEW FRONTIERS, will include early coverage of the wildlife found close to home followed by a journey - both physical and spiritual - of how my photography - but more importantly my perspective - has changed during the last decade or so.

Non JMT members are welcome. Bookings can be made online at www.jmt.org

Hmmm...

January 10 2010

I wasn't planning on going anywhere anyway!

A state of emergency....

January 7 2010

...is what many people think should be declared. No, not the emergency that is the unprecedented loss of natural species; not the emergency of global climate change and the lack of political will to address it; not even the state of emergency surrounding the capercaillie, Britain's fastest declining bird. No, this is an emergency the like of which society has never before witnessed. It is apparent that lots of very important people with very important jobs and very important children - and some with very important holidays to go on - are being inconvenienced by the unusually inclement weather. These very important people are demanding action, emergency action.

Whilst listening to these tales of woe on the very important radio, I noticed a magazine lying on our kitchen table - a legacy from the family Christmas visit. The title read: 'REAL LIFE, 100% TRUE.' The first story inside lead with: 'Decapitated body found in street wheelie bin.' Real life and a real emergency...and I don't mean the body.

Swedish wolves no longer welcome.

January 4 2010

One of the facets of wildlife management that bemuses me is the concept of 'too many'. It seems that conservation efforts are fine until such time they actually work. And if they work very well, and if they're targeted at certain 'problematic' species, we seem unable to tolerate the results of our endeavours. Already there are calls for a cull of grey seals, buzzards, peregrine falcons. How long before there are 'too many' ospreys or otters? What does 'too many' actually mean?

It appears that in Sweden there are now too many wolves: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8436670.stm