They include the limited edition collection taken from my latest original paintings of a red kite in flight and a red stag with hinds.
For prices or to order direct please click here to link to my new catalogue.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
New Prints and Cards Now Available
I have four new limited edition prints and two new Christmas cards now available.
They include the limited edition collection taken from my latest original paintings of a red kite in flight and a red stag with hinds.
For prices or to order direct please click here to link to my new catalogue.
They include the limited edition collection taken from my latest original paintings of a red kite in flight and a red stag with hinds.
For prices or to order direct please click here to link to my new catalogue.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Bee Keeping is Over
My wife Victoria and I have kept bees for a few years now and last year we had almost 100lbs of honey from our hive.
Within minutes I began to feel a numbness and tingling in my throat. I was itching everywhere and then began to feel nauseous. I tried to carry on as normal and set off to drive home but after 200 yards my vision began to go blurry and I felt very sick and disorientated.
But last week my bee-keeping days were brought to an abrupt end when I discovered that I have a serious allergy to bee stings.
I had driven the hive and 12 others belong to a friend of mine back from the moors, where they had spent the summer feeding on heather.
I got back quite late and my friend Nick and I began working quickly in the growing dark to unload the trailer when we discovered that one of the hives had slipped in transit and was spilling bees. In my hurry I hadn't zipped my protective suit on properly and some of the bees crawled into my gloves whilst others got into my neck and ankles. I was stung about 10 times.Within minutes I began to feel a numbness and tingling in my throat. I was itching everywhere and then began to feel nauseous. I tried to carry on as normal and set off to drive home but after 200 yards my vision began to go blurry and I felt very sick and disorientated.
Nick thankfully took the wheel and rushed me to York Hospital. Unfortunately the doctors advised that I ought not to take too many chances and so sadly I shall have to say goodbye to my bees - and all that free honey!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
A sparrowhawk with a casual hunting technique
I spent a few days watching this a young sparrowhawk feed her chicks and discovered that she had adopted a very casual hunting technique
She had taken to raiding wood pigeon nests and bringing the chicks home for her own.
Normally sparrowhawks are formidable hunters and rely on their incredible speed to surprise their prey, so this was a very lazy approach.
She had taken to raiding wood pigeon nests and bringing the chicks home for her own.Normally sparrowhawks are formidable hunters and rely on their incredible speed to surprise their prey, so this was a very lazy approach.For more on the story click here to read my latest column in the Malton Gazette & Herald.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Winter Exhibition
My Winter Exhibition opens on October 29th and you are all invited of course!
I've been putting the finishing touches to a new series of paintings of red kites to accompany the walks we will be offering and of course I shall be warming the mulled wine and preparing some mince pies for my guests!
Please do print out the featured invitation for your free entry.
I've been putting the finishing touches to a new series of paintings of red kites to accompany the walks we will be offering and of course I shall be warming the mulled wine and preparing some mince pies for my guests!Please do print out the featured invitation for your free entry.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Ngoro Ngoro Crater: The Eighth Wonder of the World
The Ngoro Ngoro Crater has been described as the eighth wonder of the world and it really does live up to expectation. So much so that I couldn't quite finish my series of blogs on my August trip without posting some of the pictures I took there.
We visited the crater during the last three days of our Masai Mara safari. It was my third visit to this remarkable volcanic bowl and as always proved well worth crossing the border into Tanzania for.
It was quite dry there and although the animals in this crater are isolated by the steep crater walls from the vast savannah that surrounds it, the wildebeest still migrate locally.
Their steady progress made a dramatic picture against the back drop of the salt pan and the crater walls behind. 
These elephant had clearly been stripping the bark from the yellow fever trees. 
We came across this year-old cub and his mother. He looked in very poor condition.
I suspect he had been attacked by another lion, or hyenas.
When we stopped at a toilet block we noticed a dead bull buffalo about 70 yards away. He was in too good a condition to have died of disease or age. Then as we all filed out of the toilets we saw this male lion glowering at us.
I walked a bit closer to get a photograph and he dragged it under a bush. I decided it was time to get back in the car since I didn't know where the rest of the pride were.
I liked the almost pink morning light on this shot.
Braced against the wind.
Ostrich are plentiful in the crator.
Serval cats live in grassland, specialising in catching rodents and birds. I got this shot of one pouncing.
It was such a fantastic safari that I plan to lead another next year. If you're interested in booking a place click here for more information.
We visited the crater during the last three days of our Masai Mara safari. It was my third visit to this remarkable volcanic bowl and as always proved well worth crossing the border into Tanzania for.It was quite dry there and although the animals in this crater are isolated by the steep crater walls from the vast savannah that surrounds it, the wildebeest still migrate locally.Their steady progress made a dramatic picture against the back drop of the salt pan and the crater walls behind. These elephant had clearly been stripping the bark from the yellow fever trees. Again the steep walls of the crater set the scene each day.
Black rhino are a rare sight in Kenya and Tanzania, but the Ngoro Ngoro Crater is well-protected and supports a stronghold. There are nearly 30 living in the 10 mile wide crater.
There were plenty of lion there too. This lioness was in season and in a playful mood. 
She jumped across a muddy river - hence the 'black stockinged effect up her back legs - to greet another lioness and left a pride male looking rather disgruntled on the other side.
Black rhino are a rare sight in Kenya and Tanzania, but the Ngoro Ngoro Crater is well-protected and supports a stronghold. There are nearly 30 living in the 10 mile wide crater.There were plenty of lion there too. This lioness was in season and in a playful mood. She jumped across a muddy river - hence the 'black stockinged effect up her back legs - to greet another lioness and left a pride male looking rather disgruntled on the other side. 
We came across this year-old cub and his mother. He looked in very poor condition.
I suspect he had been attacked by another lion, or hyenas.
When we stopped at a toilet block we noticed a dead bull buffalo about 70 yards away. He was in too good a condition to have died of disease or age. Then as we all filed out of the toilets we saw this male lion glowering at us.
I walked a bit closer to get a photograph and he dragged it under a bush. I decided it was time to get back in the car since I didn't know where the rest of the pride were.
I liked the almost pink morning light on this shot.
Braced against the wind.
Ostrich are plentiful in the crator.
Serval cats live in grassland, specialising in catching rodents and birds. I got this shot of one pouncing.
It was such a fantastic safari that I plan to lead another next year. If you're interested in booking a place click here for more information.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Book a Walk on the Wild Side
Book now if you want a place on one of the wildlife events taking place during my Winter Exhibition. Choose from daytime walks to see short-eared owls, red kites, and winter migrants or evening talks to hear wildlife police officer Mike Pannet talk about his experiences in North Yorkshire and a cookery demonstration for Christmas!
Click on the title of an event to book online or call the gallery on 01759 368355 to secure your booking.
Ex-PC Mike Pannett on the wildlife beat
Heartbeat meets James Herriot - a humourous talk by this Wolds author to launch his new book 'Just the Job Lad' about his adventures as a wildlife police officer in North Yorkshire.
Cooking for Christmas
Chef Ali Bilton of JSR Cookery School demonstrates fantastic dishes for Christmas.
Click on the title of an event to book online or call the gallery on 01759 368355 to secure your booking.
Professional birdwatcher Michael Flowers takes you to a secret location near the Humber Bridge to see these magnificent birds in the wild.
Sat Oct 29th, Sat Nov 5th, Monday, Nov 7th: 1.30 - 4.30pm
Tickets £10
Ex-PC Mike Pannett on the wildlife beatHeartbeat meets James Herriot - a humourous talk by this Wolds author to launch his new book 'Just the Job Lad' about his adventures as a wildlife police officer in North Yorkshire.
Sat Oct 29th, 7-9pm.
Tickets £7.50
Join professional birdwatcher Michael Flowers to watch a flourishing population of red kites come in to roost.
Sun Oct 30th, Sun Nov 6 and Sat Nov 12th; 2-4.30pmTickets £10
Special Tophill Low Safari ExtravaganzaSeek out otters and other mammals in the reserve with the head warden, then sit back and watch as 100s of gulls and geese come in to roost on the lakes of Tophill Low
Sun Nov 6, Sat Nov 12th 2-4.30pm Tickets £7.50
Cooking for ChristmasChef Ali Bilton of JSR Cookery School demonstrates fantastic dishes for Christmas.
Fri Nov 11th, 7-9pm
Tickets £7.50
Discover the latest migrants to have flown into the UK with professional birdwatcher Michael Flowers.
Sun Oct 30th and Sun Nov 13th: 10am-12.30pm
Tickets £10
Monday, September 26, 2011
Equipment
I've had quite a few queries about which camera gear to take on a trip like the one I just took to the Masai Mara in Kenya so I've decided to devote a post to it!
There is no hard and fast answer as it will always depend on space and budget, but I have used Canon cameras for 14 years now and over this time I have collected an array of different camera bodies and lenses.
When travelling around weight is always the biggest issue - especially on flights. I usually manage to get a friend or relative to carry a rucksack for me, jammed with gear.
If a lens has a huge range of zoom it is usually too good to be true - having said that the 17 - 270 Tamron lens got 93percent in a test in Outdoor Photography magazine. I imagine its value for money would have been a big consideration. I can't comment myself, not having any experience of it.
There is no hard and fast answer as it will always depend on space and budget, but I have used Canon cameras for 14 years now and over this time I have collected an array of different camera bodies and lenses.I have five digital SLR bodies and 10 accompanying lenses, ranging from 17mm to 800mm, and six flash guns as well as a load of other gizmos and gadgets such as tripods, lights and hides.
For photographing wildlife my favourite camera body is the 1D Mark 4 and my most used camera lens is the 500F4.
When travelling around weight is always the biggest issue - especially on flights. I usually manage to get a friend or relative to carry a rucksack for me, jammed with gear.On my latest trip to the Masai Mara I took three camera bodies:
Two 1D Mark 4s and one 7D
Four lenses:
400mmF4IS.DOI,
70-200mmm F2.8,
24 to 105mm F4
300-800mm F5.6 Sigma Lens
Two 1.4 converters
And 10x40 Swarvovski Binoculars
A Wimbly Tripod head and clampsCamera cleaning equipment and a bean bag!
It is possible to hire camera equipment, some people on our trip used www.lensesforhire. co.uk but when buying I recommend getting the best you can afford. A digital SLR camera body and accompanying lenses are best, I recommend the two leading brands Canon or Nikon.
They have the widest ranges to choose from. Sigma and Tamron will do cheaper lenses to fit canon and Nikon, but over the years I have found Canon and Nikon to be the best quality.
If a lens has a huge range of zoom it is usually too good to be true - having said that the 17 - 270 Tamron lens got 93percent in a test in Outdoor Photography magazine. I imagine its value for money would have been a big consideration. I can't comment myself, not having any experience of it.Don't get caught up in the amount of megapixels, there is more to getting a good photograph than megapixels!
If I were to give any advice on photographing wildlife it would be to use one thing: patience. If you wait long enough, you will get the shot you want!
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