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Kalandula Falls - Angola

26/7/2018

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I just wanted to share a single image today as I thought it was a pretty special place. Earlier this month I visited Angola (where my sister lives) and went on an adventure to some of the country's most spectacular locations. One of these was Kalandula Falls, and it was without a doubt one of the most stunningly beautiful places I have ever been.

Below is a panoramic of the falls taken from a beautiful hotel run by a charming couple - Pousada de Calandula. I really think Angola is one of Africa's most stunning countries (from what I have seen) and it has so much potential to become a world class travel destination. 

I am no landscape photographer, but I do hope you like the photo below ...
Kalandula Waterfall in Angola, Africa
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Seriously... Skomer again?

14/7/2018

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That's right folks, I have been to Skomer once more and it still isn't enough. It is never enough!!!

My third and final visit of the year was leading Wildlife Worldwide's second Skomer's Perfect Puffins tour in 2018. It as a roaring success and I was joined by acclaimed photographer and film maker Ben Cherry - check out his awesome work here. 

Now then, normally a visit to Skomer Island coincides with gale force winds, lashing rain or perhaps ice blasts. Well this trip was a little different - it was quite literally like being on an island in the Mediterranean summer. To be succinct, it was sublime. 

To top it all off, we had a great group of people and some fabulous wildlife and epic light. You really cannot ask for more than that. So on to the pictures...
Puffin in vegetation on Skomer Island
Puffin yawning on Skomer Island
Puffin portrait on Skomer Island
When it comes to photographing puffins, it nearly always starts with a classic portrait. It is just good to get yourself warmed up, then you can start to be a little more creative and try a few different types of shots. 

For me, having already accumulated thousands of images of puffin, I now try to capture something different and this trip was no exception. What was incredible though, was watching the sun rise over the Pembrokeshire peninsula and setting over the Irish Sea, without there being a single moment it disappeared behind a cloud. So we enjoyed wall to wall sunshine from 4.45 all the way through to 22.00. Remarkable!

​It also wasn't just about puffins. When you have guillemots, razorbills and a friendly seal there are near endless photographic opportunities. 
Guillemot silhouette with the run rise behind
Young grey seal portrait
Backlit razorbill as the sunrise illuminates the sea off Skomer Island
Backlit puffin coming in to land on Skomer Island
Puffin landing with a beak full of sand eels
After a the magic of being able to photograph the puffins in some wonderful light, our final excursion was out to Grassholm island in search of one of the world's largest northern gannet colonies. Here is just a little taster of what this remarkable place looks like... 
Gannet colony of Grassholm, Wales
You can register your interest for Skomer's Perfect Puffins in 2019 here. Dates should be released by the end of October 2018 so please be patient. 
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A Wild Time in Finland

2/7/2018

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It has been a crazy few months for me – I have been leading trips left, right and centre. No moaning from me though as it has been absolute delight to take so many fantastic people all over Europe, showing them some of the most incredible wildlife and hopefully helping them get some great images too!

The next instalment in this summer’s schedule was a trip to one of my favourite spots, right on the Finland’s eastern border with Russia. It is here I lead Wildlife Worldwide’s Boreal Predators Photography tour, which gives my clients a chance to photograph European brown bear, grey wolf and the feisty wolverine.

All I can really say about this year’s tour was wow, wow and well… WOW!

​We were treated to a remarkable number of sightings of all three species and the photography opportunities were mesmerising. Even with a faulty camera I was able to capture some awesome images, my clients images really blew me away so it was a hugely successful trip.

And now to the photos, all I will say is that I hope you enjoy them…
A bear wanders across a clearing in Finland's boreal forests
Brown bear by a small lake in Finland
Grey wolf standing in cotton grass, Finland
It must be said that every night in the hides was productive and they allowed the entire group to capture a wonderful array of images. What I have included here are just a small taster. I have only included on wolverine as I was always in a hide that didn't have the prime views. 

It is very important to me that my clients are the ones who get the best images, after all it is their holiday and I want them to get the most out of the experience. 
Wolverine in Finnish forest
On the last night of the trip the whole group were treated to some breathtaking sightings and unrivalled photography opportunities. 
Brown bear wanders across a swamp landscape in Finland
Brown bear feeding on a reindeer carcass in Finland
Wolf appears on the edge of the treeline at sunset
Wolf stands in a clearing in FInland's boreal forest
Wolf in cotton grass, Finland
Wolf portrait in Finland
The images above (I think at least) perfectly demonstrate why Finland is such a superb destination for a photography holiday. The light is absolutely brilliant, the wildlife is stunning and the photography is very hard to beat. 

So if you fancy joining me in 2019 for another foray into the boreal forests of Finland, be sure to visit Wildlife Worldwide's website for more information. 
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