How far do you travel for wildlife?

[Rob Greenhill]

hi Steve, I've seen this programme a few times,sounds about right!
I'm working on being a miserable old bugger

Rob

[upeden]

Well if we want to find dipper its out and across the road and over two fields to the river in an afternoon, not morning, though a K.Fisher did flash by over the beck one am. Black Cock can be found 10 miles over the hill and on the last run a peregrine on a shooting butt 70 yds or so off the moor road. Tomorrow an hours run to add to the 110 miles from home to a friends 'patch', owls LE and L yellow hammer & with a bit of luck tawny o. gold crest & LT Tit.

later we'll be off to Black Isle for Dolphin and Mull for well - you name it!

David

[Steven Gourlay]

Black Isle plenty of red kytes as well. Sounds good David keep us informed of your travels.

[upeden]

Up in Shilito(?) Woods East of Chatsworth yesterday now owls about but fresh pellets. Tried to get good shots of Yellow Hammer by the car park but very timid so moved the van having set C + 500f4 in the back lens poking out over the kitchen unit and me hiding behind coat over drivers window. Moved into a good position & waited shooting chaffinches for practice. M&F YH showed up but usually behind one twig or too far forward. Got one bum shot will try to post one or two once edited.

David

[Steven Gourlay]

Cool will be good to see your shots David. What do passers by do when they see you hiding in the back of the van?

[RuthG]

This is an interesting question. Those who are interested in wildlife are often also interested in conservation and ecology etc, Ive found. So travelling long distances to capture an otter on film for example might be counter productive - the pollution from driving 300 miles to the nearest otter place might be enough to kill something else that you happen to pass along the way.

I manage to combine work with pleasure however. My work takes me all over the country and it is often easier to go by car than by train (except when I go to London). As the 'office hours' in your regular court end at about 4pm (and often the appointment finishes sooner than that), that means I have the rest of the day free - so I go to wherever happens to be near where I am on any given day. Which is why I managed to go to Llanelli on Monday, as it was only 60 miles from where I was working in Merthyr Tydfil, which is closer than I would have been if I were starting from home, if you see what I mean.

Today, I was in Northampton, so on the way back, I did a short detour to Pitsford Water, where I got some pics of a goose taking a bath, a tufted duck and a great crested grebe. Probably wouldnt have gone there from home deliberately, but as I was there anyway, it seemed like a good idea to do the detour.

[John Fairclough]

Hello.
I in some degrees I agree with the message and sentiment which RuthG has mentioned below.
I tend to generally specialise in subjects and species of the UK, for which there are many, however I have been abroad on a few occassions to such locations as the Falklands, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
However I would like to point out that I always try to make a study of a certain area before visiting, therefore gaining the maximum opportunities. This may involve staying for a few days or more, but in the long run it most certainly works out the most economic and most green friendly.
I would like to leave you with one last thought, you are usually able to find some excellent photographic opportunities within a matter of a few miles of your own house, This being the case you could leave the car and walk or use public transport.
John Fairclough
www.fotographicimages.co.uk

[CertEdFriday]

I have seen the great images taken at Upton Warren Nature Reserve, so I am going up to take a look for myself. It is a straight run up the M5 from here; Jct 21 to Jct 5. Should take just over an hour...

[Steven Gourlay]

Nice one, hope you get a good day at it, i think am off to wildlife park on Sunday for some family fun and camera time.