Wildlife Trusts of South and West Wales - Photographic Competition 2008.

06/11/08

Robert was recently awarded First prize in the inaugral year of this national competition. It is set to become an annual opportunity for wildlife and landscape photographers with the only criteria being that the images must have been taken in Wales and must reflect the Nature of Wales.

This years competition was generously sponsored by Celtic Vision of Narberth, Pembs.
The first prize being £500 of photographic equipment.

Robert's image of a wild Red Deer hind was taken in the oak woodland at the Teifi Marshes Reserve at Cilgerran in Cardigan. This image is a perfect example of two of a wildlife photographers greatest assets -perseverance and luck.



"I had spent many unsuccessful hours trying to photograph this small herd of red deer and on this particular morning I had failed once again. I decided to make the most of my time at the reserve by visiting one of the public hides but having no luck there either I went up to the Visitor Centre for a cup of coffee before going home. However, as I was about to pack my gear away, I decided to take one more look along the Squirrel Trail. A hundred yards or so further along I heard some movement in the bushes on the banking and a large Stag appeared on the path in front of me. It stopped, looked at me for a few seconds, (too close for the lens that I was using) and then it was off. Very frustrating ...... yet again!. Cursing my luck I turned to head back to the car as it seemed pretty evident that this was not going to be my day. As I did so I noticed a movement higher up on the bank above me and there, peering out from the foliage, was a hind watching every movement I made. She stayed there, motionless, as I slowly set the tripod down, lined up the camera and finally got the pictures I wanted."