In this month's newsletter... Image of the Month Photo Tour News & Special Offers In Other News... A.M.A.N.D.A (Amanda's Musings AND Anecdotes) IMAGE OF THE MONTH Winter sunset over Loch Insh, Cairngorms, Scotland. As another year draws to a close, winter is a time for reflection so I thought this image was particularly apt. Frozen Planet has graced our screens over recent weeks and I for one have spent each episode with my chin welded to the floor. Jaw-dropping is a gross understatement. And yet within minutes of each programme concluding, we are reminded of the 'real issues' of the day via the nightly news. Predictably the economy takes pole position with the threat of terrorism and media corruption in hot pursuit. No mention of the melting polar ice caps; no mention of the loss of biodiversity and its inevitable impact on us; no mention (and let's face it, who in the right mind would?) of a human population spiralling out of control. The real issues it seems, are about ME-NOW rather than US-THEN. Such shortsightedness is surely something that merits serious reflection? BEHIND THE LENS: There is no real technique in a shot like this - anyone could make this image. I had to hold the sky back a tad using a 0.6 ND grad filter, but apart from that and making sure the horizon was straight, it was a straightforward process. That said, the framing of the natural chevron made by the cloud patterns does help the composition. PHOTO-TOUR NEWS AND OFFERS I have to say that 2011 has been a vintage year for photo-tours - thank you to all those who have joined us, not only for your business but for your great company. It seems like just two minutes ago we were welcoming a new millennium and here we are 12 years on! I'm looking forward to a 2012 full of new photographic experiences kicking off with our traditional Winter Wildlife programme in February (just 4 places left across all tours). In a new venture we're hooking up with wild land charity, the John Muir Trust. Members will receive a discount on our Mountain Highs and Ultimate Autumn Gold tours as well as Northshots making a donation to JMT for each place booked. We're looking to develop other relationships with conservation groups working in areas where our tours visit - exciting times! Land of Fire & Ice OK, OK, we get excited about all of our tours, but Iceland is one that we're really looking forward to. This is a land of contrasts. It's a kind of mix between Arizona, Yellowstone and Western Scotland. Our tour there next summer is timed to coincide with 24hr daylight - tough on the body clock but great for photography. We'll be taking in Iceland's famous waterfalls, graphic landforms and of course, its teeming birdlife. Join Mark Hamblin and Peter Cairns in The Land of Fire & Ice. Be warned though, you'll want to go back! Frozen Planet If you've been inspired by Frozen Planet (and let's face it, who wouldn't be?) and you fancy a crack at photographing polar bears yourself, why not join us on our dedicated Polar Bear Photography Safari in Arctic Norway? With a small group and a specially chartered boat, this is the perfect way to explore this remote wilderness, a land of 2,500 people and 3,000 polar bears! Only 3 places left so book soon here. See if it pings! I can't get that saying out of my head now! Regular readers might recall our last newsletter which made mention of a few developing ideas and new tours. Our 'ospreys and dolphins' workshop is now on our web site but already, only has two places left. Both Yellowstone in Winter tours are now full and we're still working on the bear and wolverine tour in Finland. Plans for 2013 include a dedicated tour to photograph wintering whooper swans plus an autumn visit to Swedish Lapland. Give us a shout if any of these 'ping' for you! IN OTHER NEWS... Autumnwatch in Glenfeshie In the final episode of Autumnwatch '11, guest presenter Liz Bonnin, covered the contentious story of red deer and their impact on the Caledonian forest ecosystem. The red squirrels and crested tits in our local forest got a showing as well as some spectacular aerial footage over the upper glen where ambitious plans are afoot to restore large areas of native vegetation. Click here to view my humble contribution (which was understandably cut during the final edit). Speaking of forests, don't forget to order our latest book, Caledonia, Scotland's Heart of Pine (and for a limited time, we're offering Caledonia and Tooth & Claw for just £30 (plus P&P) when purchased together!). More wild beer! Local brewer, Cairngorm Brewery, have launched another new ale featuring one of Northshots' images. With other successful 'wildlife brews' already in their portfolio, this award-winning business shows how an association with local wildlife can help with brand loyalty. Of course the beer has to be half-decent too! Red deer out west If you're visiting the western Highlands this winter, why not hook up with photographer Ian MacLeod to photograph red deer against a spectacular backdrop of lochs and mountains. See Ian's workshops here. Responsible photography. I hate sounding all worthy about this subject but the news that two photographers were recently charged with disturbing nesting sea eagles on Mull (and fined £1100), underlines the need for all photographers - amateur and professional - to work with a high regard for their subject, not to mention the law. In fairness, such incidents are the exception rather than the rule, but at a time when the alliance between photographers and the conservation community provides such fertile ground for collaboration, it takes just an irresponsible act to tarnish that developing relationship. A.M.A.N.D.A (Amanda's Musings AND Anecdotes) This month Amanda hangs her head in shame at having given birth to a major timber-smuggling criminal!  Read her blog here. To ensure receipt of our emails, please add info@northshots.com to your address book. This mail is sent to Northshots subscribers, picture editors and natural history enthusiasts. Please respect the time and effort invested in this type of photography by not using these images without prior permission.