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 Chaffinch in snowfall, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Ok so it's not the most charismatic of species but there's a story behind this shot which I hope you'll find interesting. I was sitting next to a neighbour of mine who had never been in a hide and just wanted to get a feel for the 'toil' that wildlife photographers go through (I played it up a bit if I'm honest). There were goldfinches and the occasional siskin visiting my feeding station which lead to a discussion about sparrowhawks. It turns out that my neighbour's goldfinch population has been "decimated" by sparrowhawks (his words not mine). Just at that moment the familiar alarm calls amongst the assembled avian throng, signalled the arrival of said sparrowhawk who helped herself to one of the chaffinches. We sat in silence watching the grizzly despatch of the hapless finch and then my goldfinch-loving neighbour whispered, "Good job it didn't get anything rare." A garden- bird-scoffing predator is always going to struggle getting to the top of our popularity list but at least this one had the decency to pick a 'common' (and presumably expendable?) species! I sat in silence scratching my head, sighing occasionally. BEHIND THE LENS: I tried pre-focusing, I tried guess-focusing (a special technique that has no merit whatsover) but eventually I decided I just needed to be quick. The sunflower seeds that this male chaffinch is after are not scattered on a table as that would give the birds too wide a target, they're concentrated in a small pot. As the birds queue up to get the food, an individuial will occassionally hover momentarily. It's then a case of focus and fire - you normally get less than a second and hundreds upon hundreds of throwaways! PHOTO TOUR NEWS AND OFFERS As our programme of Winter Wildlife tours draws to an end, we can reflect on some challenging weather which unfortunately this year, was challenging for all the wrong reasons. Whilst the frozen tundra of Lincolnshire basked in temperatures of -17c, the Highlands rarely dipped below freezing - a slightly disconcerting state of affairs. Our tour to northern Norway to catch up with dramatic coastlines and the spectacular aurora borealis was...well rather than me prattle on, why don't you read guest John Cumberland's blog (remember John - our arctic correspondent from last year?) Read John's blog here. Next year our search for winter landscapes combined with northern lights will take us to the Lofoten Islands - drop us a line if you fancy a spectacular winter break. Wild West Coast - Special offer! We have just one place available on our Wild West Coast landscape tour to the Outer Hebrides next month. This really is a special place - we're not just saying that. If you'd like to join us on remote sandy beaches pounded by the stormy Atlantic against a backdrop of skies full of drama, you'd be very welcome. We'll also visit the famous Callanish Stones too (well you have to don't you?) To tempt you even more, we're offering a last-minute discount of £150. There's only one place available and we just know you'd love the Western Isles!  Book online here. Nordic Wonders! Norway has long been one of our favourite destinations so we're very excited to be returning there twice next year. Our first tour - in winter - takes us to the best eagle photography site in Europe. Both golden and sea eagles are regular visitors and elsewhere in the boreal forest, there is opportunity to photograph one of the most iconic of forest raptors, the goshawk. If you'd like to join Mark Hamblin on this Nordic adventure, view the tour details here. And by the way, it's not only the photography that's good, it's just a great place to be. Availability stop press: Wetland Wonders, 1-14 May 2012 - 2 places. Book here Brown Bear Blitz, 29 May - 2 June 2012 - 3 places. Book here Ultimate Autumn Gold, 22 - 30 October 2012 - 4 places. Book here Jobu gimbal heads In a new partnership with JOBU Design, all UK tour guests will be able to use a range of JOBU gimbal heads in the field. Drawing on years of listening to photographer's needs, these top-quality tripod heads match first-class design and engineering with value for money. Furthermore, any Northshots guest purchasing a JOBU product will receive a 5% discount. IN OTHER NEWS... Wildphotos dates announced Regular subscribers will know how keen we are to promote this event held each year in London's Royal Geographical Society. If you've not been before it is undoubtedly the most spectacular and thought-provoking feast of visual imagery in the country. Put the dates in your diary - 19/20 October - and keep an eye on the web site as the programme develops. The big caper debate Everyone has a view about capercaillie and it's hard to separate fact from fiction. When a testosterone-fuelled rogue turns up, even those who don't have a view suddenly have a view. I have a few views but to be honest, I have more questions than views. Take a look at the blog to give yourself something to chew on. If you're keen to help the plight of capercaillie in Scotland, you could do worse than become a member of Trees for Life, a charity doing as much as any to restore the pine forests that capercaillie need. The Wow Factor! If you're not yet tuning in to The Wow Factor, you've already missed 30 spectacular images from the 2020VISION collection (but don't worry, you can go back and see them again). Each day a new image is featured which can be downloaded as wallpaper or just act as a small piece of eye candy to accompany your morning cuppa (far more nutritious than a choccie digestive!) Mark Avery Mark Avery is the former Director of Conservation at RSPB and is now a freelance writer amongst other things. He writes a fascinating blog and if you sign up for his regular newsblast, you'll be kept updated with all the relevant things going on in the conservation world. He's not paying us to say nice things about his work, we're saying them because we think you'd like what he has to say and if you don't, you can tell him! Natural Solutions... ...is the name of an upcoming conference hosted by IUCN-UK on 26th April.  You can learn more here. Timelapse sequences Alongside our library of still images we are now developing a growing collection of timelapse sequences which will shortly be made available via Nature Picture Library. If you're not familiar with timelapse, it's an effective and dramatic way to show changes in nature. Take a look at this and you'll get the idea. A.M.A.N.D.A (Amanda's Musings AND Anecdotes) This month our popular blogger confesses to not liking cold weather - can you imagine that? She also reflects on how photographers, like all species, need to be adaptable. Read Amanda's monthly musings 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.