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| In this month's newsletter... | |
| IMAGE OF THE MONTH | |
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| Red squirrel, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. | |
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It's easy to take things for granted; we all do it. My local red squirrels are a case in point (they're not strictly 'mine' of course). For over a decade I've been putting out hazelnuts to entice them within photographic range and although I'd like to think I've got some half-decent coverage, I've become a bit complacent, simply because the squirrels are 'there'. It was a bit of a shock to the system therefore, when a visiting photographer recently took me to task suggesting I wasn't making the most of my cute little rodents. My colleague strutted around my feeding stations shouting out instructions like he owned the place. But do you know what? He was absolutely right and having made a few tweaks, my enthusiasm for squirrel photography - and squirrels - is reinvigorated. Read the full story here. BEHIND THE LENS: It's an easy shot to set up - two obvious perches (both housing food) set the right distance apart. Nailing the shot is tricky though. Using a 300mm lens and a shutter speed of at least 1/1000sec (preferably more), I pre-focused on the squirrel's head before it jumped and then followed it in flight with the focus locked. Without the high ISO settings of modern cameras this would have been nigh on impossible. |
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| PHOTO TOUR NEWS AND OFFERS | |
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This month is all about red squirrels! Our 2013 Winter Wildlife tours are now open for bookings along with a new addition to our programme: Red Squirrel Bootcamp. This intensive weekend focuses solely on in-depth red squirrel photography and makes use of four different sites all with carefully chosen settings and unique opportunities - it's the ultimate squirrel shoot for the ultimate squirrel photographer! The idea of a species-specific intensive 'bootcamp' is one we'll be developing with other subjects so watch this space. Piece by piece our 2013 tours are shaping up and will include:
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| Special offer! - Wetland Wonders | |
 We have just 2 places available on our Wetland Wonders tour to Texel in The Netherlands. Texel is a renowned location for bird photography with species like avocet and spoonbill much more approachable here than in other locations. This coupled with our ability to shoot at dawn and dusk each day should provide some memorable encounters.If you'd like to join Niall Benvie and Charlotte Eatough for a photography-filled long weekend from 11th - 14th May, we're now offering a discount of £100. As ever, it's first come, first served! Book online here. |
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| 2012 availability stop press: | |
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These are the only places left on our remaining 2012 tours: Brown Bear Blitz: 29 May-June 2012, 1 place. Book here Wild on White: 20-23 July 2012, 4 places. Book here Ultimate Autumn Gold: 22-30 October 2012, 4 places. Book here |
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| IN OTHER NEWS... | |
| New Frontiers comes to the south-east! | |
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The talk is on 16th April at The Steyning Centre and you'd be very welcome. |
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| Caledonia | |
 We're down to our last few boxes of Caledonia so thanks to everyone who has supported our first foray into self-publishing - there will shortly be an attractive print/DVD pack available from our store (only 6 months behind schedule), but in the meantime, if you're looking for some visual entertainment whilst you bask in the summer sunshine, do consider ordering a copy here. |
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| A.M.A.N.D.A (Amanda's Musings AND Anecdotes) | |
| This month summer-loving Amanda gets all grumpy as the sounds of spring filter through her bedroom window. Some people are never happy - read her musings here. | |
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