BRET CHARMAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
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Colombia Bird Photography - Part 3

21/1/2023

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I hope you have been enjoying this series from the trip I led to Colombia for Wildlife Worldwide? For the third instalment I am taking you higher in the Central Andes in search of some real specialities. We left Manizales and started our climb ever higher up to Nevado del Ruiz - a towering volcano home to a variety on habitats and countless species. 

Our first stop was the charming hillside property of Hacienda el Bosque. This working cattle farm has committed to protecting its high altitude forest and is actively planting corridors to help wildlife flourish on the property. It is little wonder that the property is a haven for numerous rarely seen species including the flammulated tree-hunter, grey-breasted mountain toucan and hooded mountain tanager. First up though was the equatorial antpitta at a feeding station before we went in search of the spectacular array of hummingbirds. 
Equatorial antpitta, Hacienda el Bosque, Colombia by Bret Charman
Equatorial antpitta
Masked flowerpiercer, Hacienda el Bosque, Colombia by Bret Charman
Masked flowerpiercer
Flammulated treehunter, Hacienda el Bosque, Colombia by Bret Charman
Flammulated treehunter
Shining sunbeam, Hacienda el Bosque, Colombia by Bret Charman
Shining sunbeam
What an incredible start to our day at the hacienda. In my opinion it only got better as the real stars made their appearance a little later on ... 

It was time for the grey-breasted mountain toucans and hooded mountain tanagers to put on quite the performance. 
Grey-breasted mountain toucan on branch in canopy, Hacienda el Bosque, Colombia by Bret Charman
Grey-breasted mountain toucan
Grey-breasted mountain toucan on mossy branch, Hacienda el Bosque by Bret Charman
Grey-breasted mountain toucan
Grey-breasted mountain toucan feeding, Hacienda el Bosque, Colomba by Bret Charman
Grey-breasted mountain toucan
Hooded mountain tanager on mossy branch, Hacienda el Bosque, Colombia by Bret Charman
Hooded mountain tanager
As I am sure you can see, the photography was exceptional thanks to our magnificent subjects. I was blown away by the photography opportunities and the birds were just stunning.

From here, we headed further up the mountain in search of higher altitude species including an endemic hummingbird - the buffy helmetcrest. In fact we were also treated to incredible views of tawny antpitta, lacrimose and scarlet-bellied mountain tanagers and rainbow-bearded thornbill. We were incredibly spoilt, but it is important to highlight the amount of time that has to be put in to get the images you are after. 
Lacrimose mountain tanager on mossy branch, Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia by Bret Charman
Lacrimose mountain tanager
Scarlet-bellied mountain tanager on branch, Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia by Bret Charman
Scarlet-bellied mountain tanager
Perched rainbow-bearded thornbill, Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia by Bret Charman
Rainbow-bearded thornbill
Tawny antpitta in undergrowth, Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia by Bret Charman
Tawny antpitta
Buffy helmetcrest, Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia by Bret Charman
Buffy helmetcrest
I hope you have enjoyed looking through these images and discovering the wonderful birdlife that calls Colombia home. I really can't recommend visiting the Central Andes enough - it is a birder's and photographer's paradise. 

Find out more about the trip on the Wildlife Worldwide website and book your place under the expect guidance of Ben Sutcliffe.
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My Top 5 from 2022

7/1/2023

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It has been another action-packed year for me. With the travel sector back in business, I was busier than ever (making up for lost time) leading tours left, right and centre. With such a busy year, I haven't really had time to focus on my own projects, but I was able to capture a few wonderful moments when out in the field with clients. 

So with that in mind, I thought I would share my 'Top 5' images from the year of 2022. I should add that these are in chronological order and just a small selection of some of personal favourites. In case you haven't yet realised, I really love taking portraits of wildlife. 
Blue morph Arctic fox rolling in the snow, taken in Iceland
1. Blue morph Arctic fox in Iceland
Badly-wounded wolverine in Finland's boreal forests
2. Wolverine with a severe injury to it's eye, Finland
Arctic fox leaping up a towering cliff of Alkefjellet in Svalbard
3. An Arctic fox leaps up a vertical cliff in Svalbard
A perched grey-breasted mountain toucan near Manizales in Colombia
4. Grey-breasted mountain toucan posing on a branch in Colombia
Intimate portrait of a leopard in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park
5. A leopard in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
I would love to know which is your favourite. The wonderful thing about photography is that it is completely subjective. My decision making behind this selection is probably biased, as my memories of each moment are likely to change my perception of the image itself. Anyway, I do hope you enjoy them. 

2023 promises to be another busy year and I will do my utmost to keep this blog up to date. In the mean time, I have two more posts to come from my Colombia tour, another focusing on South Luangwa in Zambia and a final one from Australia. Happy reading!

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Colombia Bird Photography - Part 2

5/1/2023

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I know. It has been a while since I last posted about the wonderful bird photography tour I led to Colombia for Wildlife Worldwide. I left you after photographing the absolutely beautiful toucan barbets of the western Andes. 

Today I am going to whisk you further north towards the city of Manizales and share with you a kaleidoscope of new colours and forms. Of course, with this being a bird photography tour, if you aren't a fancier of our avian friends, I suggest you wait for my upcoming blog on Zambia's South Luangwa National Park.

So to start you off easy, here are a couple of images taken from the Tinamou private reserve. The first was the diminutive golden-collared manakin. This tiny bird was incredibly challenging to photograph and my entire group had to work extremely hard to capture a 'record' shot - it was definitely about trying to capture it in its thick rainforest home. The second bird from here is the striking bar-crested antshrike. 
Golden-collared manain, Colombia by Bret Charman
Golden-collared manakin
Bar-crested antshrike, Colombia by Bret Charman
Bar-crested antshrike
After a couple of days exploring the trails and gardens of Tinamou, we headed across Manizales to the protected area of Rio Blanco Reserve. This cloudforest habitats has been set aside as a water catchment area for city below and in turn provides a refuge for numerous sought-after bird species. It is particularly well known for several species of antpitta - the most photogenic of these was undoubtedly the chestnut-crowned antpitta which was a perfect poser. The whole group were treated to some exceptional photography opportunities from only yards away. 

After a morning with the antpittas we spent a prolonged period around the garden feeders, which attracted numerous hummingbirds such as buff-tailed coronet (the most common visitor) and the star bird which was the long-tailed sylph, alongside a number of other passerines. ​
Chestnut-crowned antpitta taken in Colombia by Bret Charman
Chestnut-crowned antpitta
Buff-tailed coronet hummingbird feeding from flower in Colombia by Bret Charman
Buff-tailed coronet
Long-tailed sylph feeding from flower in Colombia by Bret Charman
Long-tailed sylph
As we descended down the mountain back towards the city of Manizales, we came across our first roadside hawk of the tour - it posed perfectly as everyone snapped away - providing some wonderful photography opportunities. Further down the steep road, we stopped at a small reservoir's dam and immediately saw the handsome white-capped dipper. Like the roadside hawk, it posed beautifully for a brief moment on the dam wall. 

As we neared the bottom of the steep-sided mountain and crossed the river, our guide Juan spotted a torrent duck. These birds are notoriously hard to approach and tricky to photograph, but we were in luck as the bird was preoccupied with chasing a pair of white-capped dippers. The male duck was just the perfect subject as it came back and forth, stopping atop of numerous rocks with the lush forest-clad banks behind. 
Roadside hawk in tree above Manizales taken in Colombia by Bret Charman
Roadside hawk
White-capped dipper on dam wall in Colombia by Bret Charman
White-capped dipper
Male torrent duck atop of a boulder in the Rio Blanco of Colombia by Bret Charman
Torrent duck
As I am sure you are starting to appreciate, Colombia is a birder's dream and as a wildlife photographer I think it is equally a rewarding. My group all took such a wide gamut of images, capturing numerous species in flight, feeding and just in their habitat. What more can you ask for?

I will try and bring you the next instalment within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, you can read my tour report from the trip and find out more information on the Wildlife Worldwide website. 
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Colombia Bird Photography - Part 1

24/9/2022

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It seems like things are slowly returning to normal for those who work in the wildlife travel industry. With things continuing to look up, I was delighted to be at the helm for Wildlife Worldwide's Colombia Bird Photography tour.

We flew direct from London to Bogota and then on to the city of Cali across the central Andes in the Cauca Valley. It is important to note that Colombia is home to more birds than other country on Earth and the photography opportunities my group were treated to, were quite simply exceptional. 

I am going to share some of my images from the trip, spread across a few different instalments. I feel this is the only way to do this amazing country and the spectacular birdlife justice. 
Crimson-rumped toucanet, Colombia by Bret Charman
Crimson-rumped toucanet
Rufous-tailed hummingbird, Colombia by Bret Charman
Rufous-tailed hummingbird
On our first day, we spent a few days around the lodge's grounds and were blown away by the number of hummingbirds, tanagers, woodpeckers and even toucanets. The next day we moved across the mountain, high above the city of Cali where we hoped to photograph the elusive scaled antpitta and the massively sought-after multi-coloured tanager (see below). 
Multi-coloured tanager, Colombia by Bret Charman
Multi-coloured tanager
Chestnut wood-quail by Bret Charman
Chestnut wood-quail
Scaled antpitta, Colombia by Bret Charman
Scaled antpitta
Golden-naped tanager, Colombia by Bret Charman
Golden-naped tanager
For our third day of bird photography in the Western Andes we headed to a known spot for toucan barbet. Here we were treated to some more incredible photography and the whole group just lapped it up. 
Green honeycreeper, Colombia by Bret Charman
Green honeycreeper
Crimson-rumped toucanet, Colombia by Bret Charman
Crimson-rumped toucanet
Toucan barbet, Colombia by Bret Charman
Toucan barbet
Toucan barbet, Colombia by Bret Charman
Toucan barbet
These stunning birds were all photographed over a period of three days in Colombia's Western Andes. I was using my Canon 1DX II with my Canon 500mm f4 L IS II USM lens.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next instalment and be sure to find out more information about the tour on the Wildlife Worldwide website. 

N.B. I will not be leading the 2023 departure for this tour as I am away in Brazil, leading for Wildlife Worldwide. 
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Finland's Apex Predators

6/8/2022

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This year I had the privilege of leading three photography tours in Finland's remote eastern forests, right on the border with Russia for Wildlife Worldwide. Across the three trips we had some incredible sightings and exceptional photography, but as always, each had its own highlights. 

In this blog I am going to share some of my favourite moments from across the three tours. The magic of this remote landscape, is that you never really know what will show up and when. On one particular tour we had an awful lot of close encounters with a young grey wolf, another we had multiple wolverines and on the third we had the opportunity to photograph a great grey owl nest. 

Here is just a taster of what we saw ...
Young grey wolf, Finland by Bret Charman
Young grey wolf in the rain, Finland by Bret Charman
Grey wolf shaking off the rain, Finland by Bret Charman
As you can see, no matter what the weather, there are always excellent opportunities to capture some stunning imagery. The grey wolf above hung around for a couple of hours one evening and the rain just added to the moment. 
Juvenile white-tailed eagle, Finland by Bret Charman
Wolverine, Finland by Bret Charman
Wolverine with missing eye, Finland by Bret Charman
Great grey owl chicks in nesting tree, Finland by Bret Charman
Brown bear shaking, Finland by Bret Charman
For me, the wolves are definitely the biggest draw. It is the only reliable location I know of where it is possible to capture stunning imagery of this elusive species. However, the area is fantastic for wolverines and brown bears, meaning there is never a dull moment. It is even more exciting when the different species show up at the same time. 

It is important to say (as I always do), that food is put out to entice the predators in front of the purpose-built hides. Furthermore, the food put out is typically salmon scraps or meat that is not fit for human consumption. 
Grey wolf at sunset, Finland by Bret Charman
Grey wolf portrait, Finland by Bret Charman
There is the chance to join me in 2023 and photograph these incredible predators for yourself. You can find out more on the Wildlife Worldwide website and book your place on this wildlife photography extravaganza. 
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Iceland – Arctic Fox Delight

17/7/2022

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Back in March I led the inaugural tours for Wildlife Worldwide to Hornstrandir Nature reserve in the remote north-west of Iceland. Staying at the delightful Kviar Lodge, our sole focus here was the blue morph Arctic fox on our Arctic Fox Photography tour. Coming face-to-face with an Arctic fox has long been on my wishlist, particularly after seeing them in the wilds of Svalbard many years ago.  

The lodge is situated on an uninhabited peninsular, over 40 km from the nearest settlement and only accessible by boat. Our voyage from Ísafjörður was not the smoothest, but on arrival a fox was running along the high snow bank above to greet us. It doesn’t really get any better for a wildlife photographer.  

I led back-to-back trips in this spectacular landscape and enjoyed some of the very best photography opportunities I have enjoyed for many years. My clients were spoiled with all sorts of weather conditions and countless moments to capture some breathtaking imagery.  
​
Here is just a taster of what we enjoyed …  
Arctic fox in blizzard, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox in blizzard, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
As you can see, the first day was pretty wild with incredibly strong winds and a few snow storms. Although the photography was challenging, it was also particularly rewarding. 
Blue morph Arctic fox with spindrift, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Playful blue morph Arctic fox, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
The weather was very changeable, as you would expect in Iceland during March, but that enabled us to photograph the different foxes in a host of different conditions. The photography was exceptional. I was able to use my phone to capture some wonderful images, that's how obliging they were ... 
Kviar Lodge, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Photographer with blue morph Arctic fox, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox taken on my mobile phone, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
We were also treated to a marvellous display of Aurora borealis and all my first group were able to capture some stunning imagery. 
Aurora borealis, Kviar Lodge, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
But of course the primary focus was the Arctic foxes. Here is a selection of images from the second of the two departures - we really were incredibly lucky with the weather and the cooperative wildlife. 
Blue morph Arctic fox at sunset, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox portrait, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox in the snow, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic foxes fighting, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox sleeping, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret Charman
Blue morph Arctic fox on a snow bank, Hornstrandir, Iceland by Bret CharmanPicture
I hope the photos above have whetted your appetite - if you would like to join me in Iceland to photograph these charming foxes, there is still space remaining in March 2023. You can register your interest here. 
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South Luangwa’s Wilderness Rediscovered

24/4/2022

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Sorry I have been quiet again for the first quarter of the year. It has been a crazy few months and I am only just getting the time to sit back and think about the past 5-6 months. Back in November I was in a state of shock as I was actually able to enjoy leading my first African photo safari in nearly 2 years.

Wildlife Worldwide were finally able to run our unique South Luangwa Photo Safari and it was a pleasure to be at the helm for two separate trips. Our first trip was based at one of my regular haunts – Flatdogs Camp – where I had the pleasure of my good friend and guide Bwalya looking after us. We had an exceptional week with Bwalya, although the leopard didn’t quite play ball, and were treated to some excellent encounters with the African wild dogs and countless lions.

The second week was based at the delightful Mfuwe Lodge and we had some exquisite sightings of leopard and the wild dogs once more. The rains had started to fall intermittently, but it really didn’t disturb our game drives and huge thanks must go to our excellent guides .

One of the great things about South Luangwa is that you never really know what to expect and from one week to the next, you will likely see something completely different.  Here is just a taster of what we saw … 
Male lion, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African elephant chasing African wild dogs, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Squabbling pied kingfishers, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Red-billed oxpeckers, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Lucy the leopard, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African wild dog,  South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African leopard in a spotlight, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African fish eagle, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard with slow shutter speed, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Male African lion, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard cub, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African wild dogs being harassed by an African elephant, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
If you would like to join me in Zambia's South Luangwa with Wildlife Worldwide, there are still some spaces available. I will be joined by fellow photographer Sean Weekly, and I will be back for more in 2023. 
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Red Deer Rut in the New Forest

31/10/2021

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This year, with travel options limited, I was asked once again by Wildife Worldwide to lead dedicated deer photography workshops in the heart of the New Forest. With permission from Forestry England, I led a number of workshops alongside Ben Sutcliffe. 

We had some crazy weather, but some great deer encounters with the red deer during the rut. Unlike the deer parks of London, these deer are completely wild and it takes patience to slowly make an approach. The key thing is to ensure that you don't sneak up on them and that they know where you are, while also being aware of the wind direction.

Anyway, here are just a few shots from my time in the forest. 
Red deer stag roaring in the morning mist, New Forest by Bret Charman
Red deer stags before the fight, New Forest by Bret Charman
Red deer stags prepare for battle, New Forest by Bret Charman
Red deer stags battle in the mist, New Forest by Bret Charman
Red deer stags stare at one another in the mist, New Forest by Bret Charman
After some incredible misty action, we were treated to incredible evening action too. It is fabulous to witness this behaviour and enjoy the most remarkable lighting - combine that with a mist and you can't really get it any better. 
Red deer stag backlit in the evening sun, New Forest by Bret Charman
Red deer stag breathing hard, New Forest by Bret Charman
Red deer trotting through the heather, New Forest by Bret Charman
Red deer stag portrait, New Forest by Bret Charman
It was an absolute honour to lead a number of workshops and I was delighted for the clients who got some brilliant images. 

We hope to run some more workshops in 2022, but it will depend on my availability. Please get in touch if you want to find out more. 
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A Slovenian Escape

25/10/2021

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Well what can I say about the past 18 months - quite simply it has been pretty tough. I have been unable to lead any overseas trips since the start of the pandemic and only led a limited number of UK-based workshops. However, back in September, I headed off to the stunning hills and forests of Slovenia - one of my favourite corners of Europe. 

The Dinaric Alps are a wildlife photographer's paradise, home to over 800 European brown bears and a myriad of other species. I spent 7-days in the wonderful hides which I use when leading my tours to Slovenia, building up a great little portfolio of images. In the time I was there, I photographed over 10 different bears, including a number of mothers and their cubs.

I can't wait to get back out in the field and leading tours once more. over the next 12 months.
Brown bear, beech forest, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
Brown bear siblings, beech forest, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
Brown bear on rock, beech forest, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
As you can see from these images, the surroundings for my sightings were exceptional and I was blessed with exceptional weather.
Brown bear cub in Karst limestone, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
Brown bear portrait, beech forest, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
Brown bear, beech forest, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
Brown bear portrait, Dinaric Alps, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
Brown bear mother and cubs in forest, Dinaric Alps, Slovenia (Bret Charman)
You can join me in Slovenia next year for the opportunity to photograph the Dinaric Alps' population of brown bear. 
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MONTPHOTO 2021 - Birds Category Winnner

3/10/2021

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I am sorry I have been so quiet this year. As I am sure you can understand, the past 18 months has been incredibly tough and there has been a lot of change. I took an extended break away from social media and updating my blog.

However I am absolutely delighted to announce that I have WON the Birds category in the prestigious MONTPHOTO photography competition. My image 'A Beakful' focuses on a puffin in the verdant vegetation of Skomer Island with a beak crammed with fish. This is a massive honour and something I am incredibly proud of - the competition was exceptional, with some huge names among the winners. 

The excellent Will Burrard-Lucas won the Mammals and Overall prizes, while I must make a special mention of good friend Kevin Morgans who has had an incredible year in numerous competitions. He had an image and a portfolio entry feature as a Highly Commended. 

I must pass on my congratulations to all the other winners including Jaime Culebras, Marc Graf and Imre Potyo.

Picture
'A Beakful' - Montphoto 2021 - Birds Winner

Picture
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Deer of the New Forest

2/3/2021

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With Covid-19 restrictions still in place across the world during the late autumn, there was only one thing to do - explore the ancient landscapes of the New Forest in search of deer. This former royal hunting ground is home to wild herds of red and fallow deer (as well as sika around the Bealieu area) and if you know where to look you can capture some stunning imagery. 

Deer are notoriously skittish and it is essential to keep your distance and let the deer come to you. If you try and follow deer, you will only spook them. 

​Most of these images were taken when I was on my own, but a couple were taken while leading workshops for Wildlife Worldwide. 
Red deer stag, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
PictureRed deer stag in pines, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer stag in heather, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer stag on a heath, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
There are only around 150 red deer in the New Forest and their population is strictly controlled by the national park authority, so it is always worth keeping your eyes peeled for the fallow deer if the reds manage to elude you. 
Leucistic fallow deer with young, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer in the depths of the forest, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer stag on a frosty heath, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
If you would like to join me on a dedicated deer photography workshop in 2021, please contact me for more information.
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Autumn in Richmond Park

31/10/2020

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Richmond Park is one of the jewels in the Royal Parks' crown, a wildlife haven in the heart of one of Europe's largest conurbations. Red deer, little owls, badgers and even ring-necked parakeets. I spent numerous weekends journeying up the A3 early to photograph the red deer rut, meeting friends and enjoying the cool autumnal air - the photographic opportunities were excellent. 
Red deer stag with bracken in his antlers, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
Jackdaw perched on branch, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
Ring-necked parakeet hanging out of tree hollow, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
As you can see, the photographic highlights are not only limited to the red deer that call the park home. Above you can see an image of a jackdaw, arguably one of the UK's most beautiful corvids and a ring-necked parakeet (an introduced species from the Indian subcontinent). 
A red deer picks up a little too much bracken with its antlers, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
A red deer stag stands proudly with an impressive head dress, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
The deer stags are well known for thrashing their antlers in the bracken, and other undergrowth, when they are pumped full of testosterone. In this case, he took it all a little far and then struggled to see where he was going. This individual stag was not one of the dominant males, and he will probably have to wait another year or two to reach his absolute prime. 
Red deer stag at sunrise, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
Red deer steaming at sun rise, Richmond parknd
A red deer stag breathes out in the cool morning air at sunrise, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
As you can see from the images above, the red deer often stand proudly as the sun rises over the horizon, seemingly basking in the soft morning light. 
Dominant red deer stag calling to assert dominance, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
Red deer stag bellowing in the bracken, Richmond Park (Bret Charman)
It was a great few weeks enjoying the wilder side of London and as long as you avoid the crowds, you can expect to see some spectacular behaviour. Next year, if I get to lead my planned tours (if Covid allows), then I won't be able to photograph this annual spectacle. 
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Red Squirrels of the Cairngorms

27/9/2020

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After lockdown eased here in the UK, I went for a little adventure to the Scottish highlands. This stunning mountainous realm is home to a range of wildlife I don't find in Hampshire, including the red squirrel, crested tit and capercaillae. I spent a day in a hide on the Rothiemurchus Estate, built by Neil McIntyre, photographing the gorgeous red squirrels in the stunning heather-filled Caledonian forest. 
Red squirrel feeding with heather in foreground, Cairngorms (Bret Charman)
Red squirrel portrait on tree stump with heather, Cairngorms (Bret Charman)
Jumping red squirrel, Cairngorms National Park (Bret Charman)
Although I only spent the one day with the squirrels, I was easily able to capture a wide range of imagery, of which these are just a few.
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Roe Deer 2020

3/9/2020

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Well who expected 2020 to be like it has? It has been a year of change, uncertainty and anxiety for many, but the natural world goes on and I have tried to spend as much time as possible out photographing the roe deer once again. 

I may have not been able to lead my overseas photography tours for Wildlife Worldwide, but I just love being in the field with wildlife and capturing images. I hope you enjoy looking through this year's imagery of my beloved roe deer.
Roe deer female in spring grasses, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer in sunlit grasses, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
This year I struggled to find any males to start with, instead focusing on a number of different females who had hidden their young around the estate I photograph on. 
Female roe deer in field of barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer portrait in field of barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Young roe deer in field of wheat, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
As summer intensified and the crops turned to the golden browns, the roe deer rut was in full swing and allowed me the opportunity to photograph roe bucks in their prime. 
Roe deer buck in golden barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck in a field of barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck in arable field margin, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
I am looking forward to 2021 to hopefully spend some time with the roe deer once again. They have become a big part of my life and probably what I am best known for within the UK.
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Rural Fox Cubs

21/7/2020

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For many years I have struggled to find a family of rural foxes which I was able to photograph. Most rural foxes, and rightly so, are very wary of people and I usually don't want to disturb them. This year though, I stuck gold when out cycling, I cam across a family of foxes sunbathing on a rural lane, so I decided to head back to photograph them. 

Upon arriving at the site I couldn't see anything, but I decided to stick it out and I was richly rewarded ... 
Fox cubs, Hampshire by Bret Charman
Fox cub portrait by Bret Charman
Fox cubs enjoying the evening sun by Bret Charman
Fox cub sleeping in the road
Fox cubs watching the photographer in road by Bret Charman
Fox cub in the rural road by Bret Charman
Fox cub resting in road in front of car by Bret Charman
As you can see, even a rural road gets traffic. Each time a car appeared, all of the cubs jumped into the hedgerow, taking cover in their earth and keeping out of trouble. Sadly, only a few days after I took the photo above, I found the body of this cub hidden in the hedge. It had been hit by a car and purposefully placed out of sight, it was a devastating blow and I was unable to photograph the family again - rightly so, the remaining cubs were very wary. It just goes to show the fragility of the natural world and the massive negative impact humanity has on the natural world. 
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Japan's Winter Wildlife

22/6/2020

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I remember seeing the first images of Japan in winter around 10 years ago, but I had no knowledge of the country and very little idea about the wildlife. However, at the start of 2019 I was asked whether I would like to lead Wildlife
Worldwide’s inaugural photography tour
to the country, during the snowy winter months, focusing on red-crowned cranes, Steller’s sea eagles and of course the much-loved Japanese macaques (or snow monkeys).

Firstly, if you decide to visit Japan, I can’t recommend Japan Airlines enough - they were truly exceptional. The majority of Japan’s wildlife is concentrated along the main island’s central spine or on some of the smaller, wilder islands such as Hokkaido. This is where my group spent the majority of their time, on the beautiful snowy island of Hokkaido.

We had wonderful sightings of whooper swan and red-crowned cranes during the first couple of days on the island. We had the chance to see a pair of Ural owls in the nearby forests and numerous woodland birds (many of which are recognisable to those from Europe). For me though, the species I was most looking forwards to seeing was the impressive Steller’s sea eagle. Let’s just say I wasn’t going to be disappointed …
Red-crowned cranes, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Leaping red-crowned crane, Hokkaido by Bret Charman, Japan
Calling red-crowned cranes, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Ural owl, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
We didn't have the best light for our time in Japan, particularly with the cranes - it was either too gloomy or too bright. Fussy photographers are a pain, but it does make such a big difference. It was really gloomy for my time with the swans, so I didn't really get anything worthwhile, but it was lovely just to watch them. 

After our time in the island's volcanic interior, it was time to head to the coast in search of Steller's and white-tailed eagle. 
White-tailed eagle in flight, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
White-tailed eagle taking off from the sea ice, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
White-tailed eagle portrait on sea ice, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
White-tailed eagle portrait, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Steller's sea eagle resting on sea ice, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Steller's sea eagle landing on ice, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Fighting Steller's sea eagles, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Steller's sea eagle in flight, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Steller's sea eagle portrait, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Steller's sea eagle pair on ice, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Steller's sea eagle portrait on ice, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
After heading out in to the see ice to photograph the eagles, we headed south towards a frozen lake for more eagle photography. There was also an opportunity to enjoy the glorious birdlife around a traditional onsen. The highlights here were the Japanese pygmy woodpecker, the Japanese sable (a member of the marten family) and the Blakiston's fish owl (the largest owl in the world). 
Picture
Japanese sable, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Blakiston's fish owl, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Black eared kites and eagles, Lake Furen, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Black-eared kit, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
White-tailed eagles squabbling, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
Mid-aire duel between white-tailed eagles, Hokkaido, Japan by Bret Charman
After an amazing week on the island of Hokkaido, enjoying the snowy conditions and stunning wildlife, it was time to head back to Tokyo. We spent a night in Tokyo before heading into the main island's centre to the city of Nagano. To be more precise we headed to the town of Yamanouchi, the perfect place to base ourselves for photographing the famed 'snow monkeys' or as they should be known, Japanese macaques. Sadly, there was a bit of a heat wave in the mountains and snow was rather lacking for the most part. 
Japanese macaque juvenile, Honshu, Japan by Bret Charman
Japanese macaque portrait, Honshu, Japan by Bret Charman
Japanese macaque on rocks, Honshu, Japan by Bret Charman
Japanese macaque portrait on rock, Honshu, Japan by Bret Charman
Japanese macaque juveniles play fighting, Honshu, Japan by Bret Charman
Japanese macaque in snow, Honshu, Japan by Bret Charman
So what can I say about Japan. Well, quite simply, it is fantastic. Don't expect to be on your own, there will nearly always be other people about, but it is still somewhere I recommend highly. For the opportunities to see Steller's sea eagles alone it is worth it. Be sure to join on Wildlife Worldwide's Japan's Winter Wildlife photography tour. 
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Zambia's Wildlife Photography Extravaganza – Week 4

2/5/2020

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It was my final week in Zambia, with my third group from Wildlife Worldwide arriving. It was another fantastic week and we were treated to some remarkable sightings. It was a week of lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants and new-born impala.

We were blown away by some incredible game drives, with mating lions, a complete leopard hunt and lions gorging on numerous buffalo carcasses. Once again, I am going to leave you with the images to do the talking. Enjoy!
Young leopard in a tree, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Young leopard cub in a tree, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African lion male, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Lioness, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Lioness portrait, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Lioness, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
The first days were all about the big cats, but there was so much more on offer throughout the week ...
Newborn impala, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Drinking lioness, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African fish eagle, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Hyena with hippo skin, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Bushbuck, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Crowned hornbill, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Maribou stork, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
As the week progressed it seemed that we had a bit of a leopard fiesta, the sightings increased in the last couple of days and provided some excellent photography opportunities.
African leopard, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard with baby impala kill, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard walking, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard walking along tree branch, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard walking along branch, South Luangwa National Park, Africa by Bret Charman
Leopard resting on a branch of a tree, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
If you would like to join me in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, there are still a few places left in 2021. You can find out more and book your place on the Wildlife Worldwide website, alternatively please contact me for more information. 
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Zambia's Wildlife Photography Extravaganza – Week 3

24/4/2020

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It was my third week in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park and I was well and truly in the groove. Being in the African bush is where I feel most at home, it has a hold over me like nowhere else. It was now I really felt in tune with my surroundings and really in sync with the wildlife of this remarkable national park.

It was my second tour of the season leading for Wildlife Worldwide and it was another delightful group of people. Our local guide was Bwalya, who's love of photography and wildlife was immediately apparent. 

This week turned out to be the week of leopards and lions. We were blessed with numerous encounters and sightings and rewarded with some fantastic photography opportunities. Once again, rather than going in to too much detail, I will simply let the pictures do the talking.
Young leopard walking, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Crawshay's zebra, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Vervet monkey and baby, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
African leopard, panthera pardus, South Luangwa by Bret Charman
African leopard drinking, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Leopard with an impala kill, South Luangwa, Zambia by Bret Charman
Baby elephant, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Southern carmine bee-eater, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia by Bret Charman
Elephant shrew, South Luangwa by Bret Charman
Young male lion, South Luangwa National Park by Bret Charman
Lioness feeding on a buffalo carcass, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia by Bret Charman
As you can see from all of the images, my group and I were blessed with some amazing sightings. In fact, for me South Luangwa offers such incredible variety and world-class photography opportunities. These are only a taster of what we were able to enjoy, but I hope it inspires you to join me in 2021 (there are still a few places remaining). You can book your place here. 
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Zambia's Wildlife Photography Extravaganza – Week 2

15/2/2020

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My second week in Zambia was the first with my Wildlife Worldwide guests and our expert local guide was Jonathan (one of the excellent guiding team at Flatdogs Camp). We had an unbelievable week with numerous leopard sightings, but it was the lions who really stole the show. I had a fantastic group and we were lucky enough to enjoy an all-day game drive with over 30 lions seen, a leopard, countless elephant and some fantastic birds too.
​
Rather than waffle on, I will just share some of the highlights. Enjoy!
Carmine bee-eaters at sunset by Bret Charman
Red-billed quelea fly across the setting sun in South Luangwa National Park (Bret Charman)
Young African leopard in South Luangwa National Park (Bret Charman)
African lions watch a herd of elephants on the banks of the Luangwa River, Zambia (Bret Charman)
Lion cub resting on a termite mound, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (Bret Charman)
African leopard asleep on a tree, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (Bret Charman)
Puku on the banks of the Luangwa River, Zambia (Bret Charman)
Southern carmine bee-eater resting on the bank of the Luangwa River, Zambia (Bret Charman)
African elephant mother with calf, Zambia's South Luangwa National Park (Bret Charman)
There are still a few places available in 2021 if you would like to join me in South Luangwa, you can find out more here. 
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Zambia’s Wildlife Photography Extravaganza– Week 1

4/1/2020

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Back in November 2020 I was privileged enough to lead three back-to-back photographic safaris in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. I used to work in the Luangwa Valley, back before I worked in the UK in the wildlife travel business, so I am very familiar with the wildlife and it is like home from home for me. The week before my first guests arrived, I went to a national park I hadn’t previously heard of – Luambe National Park. In fact, a friend of mine (and my old boss) now runs the only accommodation in the park and offered to show me around.

So here is a little taster of my first week back in the Zambian bush, the place where I probably feel most at home. As well as Luambe, I went for a few game drives in the Mfuwe sector of South Luangwa National Park – so believe me when I tell you that the wildlife sightings were world class.
​
I hope you enjoy an image-based round up of week one … 
Leopard, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (Bret Charman)
Nile crocodile, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (Bret Charman)
Male lion,  South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (Bret Charman)
Lion cub, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (Bret Charman)
African wild dogs or painted wolves, Luambe National Park, Zambia (Bret Charman)
The African wild dogs (or painted wolves) were taken in Luambe National Park whilst staying at the truly stunning Luambe Camp. I can't recommend this remote and beautiful camp highly enough, so please do visit the website to find out more. 

P.S. The next few posts show even more variety and a whole host of cats ... 
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