SCOTTISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXTRAVAGANZA - 7 DAY Photo WORKSHOP
This week in Scotland is crammed so full with fantastic photo opportunities, that it should, without doubt, see you returning home with pictures of the quality that you thought could only have been taken by professional photographers. There are five full days packed with photographic opportunities, plus hotel accommodation and one evening in a Badger / Pine Marten hide. The number of photographers will be strictly limited to just eight persons, so that you are each able to receive the individual attention and advice that you require.
Highland Wildlife Park
We will spend one full day enjoying privileged access to, or witnessing special feeds of, some of the wonderful array of animals in this park. This park is beautifully situated in the Cairngorms, not far from Aviemore. Below is a list of the animals we expect to photograph there. Some of the lesser species may be sacrificed to enable more quality time with the more outstanding subjects. Your free day will allow you time to spend time with any subjects you have missed.
European Grey Wolves
The wolves are possibly the most popular animals in the park. Their enclosure is almost 5 acres in size and there is a wonderful viewing platform which protrudes into their enclosure. We will have the benefit of a special feed of these secretive animals in a position on a hillside that will offer great shots at eye level in well established natural surroundings.
Feeding of Capercaille, Pine Marten, Eagle Owl and Wildcat
Following the keeper from enclosure to enclosure as the animals are fed is sure to provide some activity, and shots that are of more interest than if the animals were simply sitting and posing.
Snow Monkeys
2007 saw the arrival of a magnificent troop of Snow Monkeys. Also known as Japanese Macaques, these adorable creatures provided possibly the most exhilarating photo-session in the park. They were fed especially for us and we enjoyed privileged access to their large photogenic enclosure. A truly memorable experience.
Przewalski's Horses
These animals are remarkably similar to horses depicted in European neolithic cave paintings. They are now extinct in the wild. Fossil evidence shows their existence in Scotland 3000 years ago. They will be fed especially for us and will usually provide some entertaining action shots.
Otter, Lynx, Arctic Fox, Snowy Owl and Chough
We will photograph the Arctic Fox from inside the enclosure, and also the otters when they are fed. Two young Carpathian Lynx are scheduled to arrive here this spring. Good close up shots of the Chough and Snowy Owl are also quite achievable.
European Bison and Red Deer
There is a substantial herd of bison. these will be fed in the park at 3pm and can be photographed from close quarters, through open windows, from the safety of your car. The red deer also make an appearance and eat as much of the Bison's food as they are allowed. In 2006, when I researched this trip, there were two herds of red deer continually guarded and kept separate by the two dominant stags. At feeding time all the hinds from both groups charged over and became as one. The mayhem as the two stags fought to sort them out afterwards provided a fantastic spectacle.
Wild Boar, Beaver, European Elk and Reindeer
Certain changes of the animals in the park may occur between now and November. Currently all of the above are present with exception of the Elk. Hopefully this will be present by November.
Red Squirrels with Neil McIntyre
Neil is one of the best known professional Scottish Wildlife Photographers. He is allowing us to use his own personal hides and secret Red Squirrel locations. Neil himself will accompany you on these morning shoots. He literally ensures that these Squirrels are fed every day throughout the year, safe in the knowledge that frame filling sightings are virtually guaranteed on a daily basis. After photographing Squirrels with Neil, no other location or setting even comes close.
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Plus Great Tits, Coal Tits & Blue Tits from within Neil McIntyre's Personal Hide
Neil McIntyre will take you to his private hide for the afternoon. He has set up a feeding station using photogenic branches and lichens for the small birds to perch on. There are literally hundreds of times when the birds land here, but very often you have little more than a second or two to grab the shot. The woodpecker is much easier. It usually stays on the tree for several minutes at a time. Neil has hollowed out part of a really attractive tree stump and filled this with peanuts. It is cleverly positioned so that you only see the tree, the Woodpecker, and no peanuts. Fantastic. A tree-creeper often puts in an appearance.
Red Deer
Neil McIntyre can only accommodate two people in his hides. There will be a maximum of 8 photographers on this workshop, and Neil's days will also be rotated with the Golden Eagle days. This means that you will all have one day free in the Highland Wildlife Park. (Your entrance fee has been paid). I imagine most people will revisit the wolves at some stage, but I would suggest a considerable part of the day should be spent observing and photographing the Red Deer from within your car. The park contains a herd of approximately seventy Red Deer, and the constant bellowing and the endless chasing by the dominant stags is something to behold. The action will sometimes take place just a few feet from your car and the hilly and marshy areas within the park make some fantastic backdrops. If you are lucky you will photograph the warm breath coming from their mouths while roaring, and the dominant males locking antlers with a rival. Loch an Eileen affords particularly splendid scenery nearby, and also Loch Insch, should you require a break from wildlife.
Whole Day Golden Eagle Experience
You will be transported some 80 miles or so to a more northerly location where we will spend a day photographing Golden Eagles in some superb typically Scottish countryside. We will be photographing the birds in carefully chosen settings that will hide the jesses, so that their photos appear totally natural. We will hopefully (subject to bodyweight) photograph the Eagles flying, and maybe even in pursuit of the odd rabbit. We will hopefully finish the day with the Eagle guarding and devouring road-kill of some description. In order to make this a really exclusive experience, and to always ensure you are in prime position, there will be a maximum of 3 photographers on this day.
Peregrine Falcon & Birds of Prey Day
Today, as a group, we once will again be accompanied by Neil McIntyre. Neil will take us to one, or more, of his favourite locations. Here we will spend the day photographing various birds of prey, both flying and perched in carefully chosen surroundings. The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be a Peregrine (or maybe even a Goshawk). Subject to availability, it is our intention to finish the day with the Peregrine on a pheasant carcass.
Wild Badgers & Pine Marten from Hide
We will have exclusive use of a well known wildlife hide for one evening. More evenings can be arranged, but are not included in the price. The BBC have filmed here regularly, and Bill Oddie and many other photographers also visit this hide. Badgers and Pine Marten are fed nightly and will definitely visit at some stage. A lot depends on how quiet you are, as to how many really good shots you get. I visited here twice and got some quite stunning shots. You can stay all night if you are up to it. The area is floodlit and there is heating inside. You will need a flashgun but no large lenses are necessary. 28 - 200mm is the range you will need. A cheeky wood mouse would come from time to time and steal some of the nuts.
Tips and Tuition
One day will be spent on your own, and one day with Neil McIntyre. The remainder of the time you will be accompanied by John Wright, who will offer any necessary advice on settings and techniques on a one to one basis throughout the day (and night) workshops. Any group sessions will be conducted in the hotel. This is so that your valuable photography time is not encroached upon. Participants are strongly encouraged to offer a selection of their day's photography for a gentle critique during the evenings. This proved absolutely invaluable in helping to improve the general standard of photography throughout the week in 2007.
Accommodation
Included in the price is a 6 night's stay at a good quality family run hotel not far from the Wildlife Park. All rooms are reserved at the Rowan Tree Country Hotel (http://www.rowantreehotel.com/) on a bed and breakfast basis. No other meals are included. The food at the hotel is excellent, and the dinners are something really to look forward to. There is an extensive menu with many local dishes to sample. Excellent wine list plus bar. Single rooms are available at no extra cost.
Dates & Cost; £1095.00
Workshop 1 Sold Out
Arrive Scotland Friday October 24th
Depart Scotland Thursday October 30th
Workshop 2 Sold Out
Arrive Scotland Monday November 3rd
Depart Scotland Sunday November 9h
PLEASE Register your interest for January 2009 Workshop (To be announced soon)
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Click here for Scottish Wildlife photo gallery
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All the photographs on the first two pages in the above gallery were taken in just 5 days of photography in 2006. There is no reason why you should not return home with similar photographs. The third page in the gallery was taken in 2007.
