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The Wildlife Lens
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18 contributions to The Wildlife Lens
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2d •
Pneumonia
I have not had the energy to write the follow up after getting pneumonia. I am really tired and exhausted and can only manage short concentration spurts. Will try again tomorrow
1 like • 22h
Your priority must be your health. Rest, drink plenty of water and don't be a typical man!
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8d •
The fairest Cape's Table Mountain!
Standing on the shores of Bloubergstrand, looking across Table Bay toward the unmistakable silhouette of Table Mountain, you can feel Cape Town breathing. The light, the wind, the salt in the air — it all folds together into a kind of quiet magic. This watercolour captures that atmosphere perfectly: the softness, the scale, the sense that this city is always more than one thing at once. For many, Cape Town is simply home. For others, it’s a playground of wind and waves. A birder’s paradise. A botanist’s living laboratory. A hiker’s utopia. A tourists curiosity. A rock climber’s cathedral of sandstone and sky. It’s a place that invites you in, hands you a new passion, and dares you not to fall in love.
2 likes • 8d
Are those houses at the bottom of the mountain on that far side as we look at the painting?
1 like • 2d
@Gareth Parkes Thank you. I know little about SA. I certainly didn't know the city of Cape Town was around the bottom of the mountain.
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6d •
Chapter One: South Africa: Going Back, Going Forward
A Journey in Many Parts Before We Even Left There is a particular kind of madness that descends on a household approximately three weeks before a long-haul trip to Southern Africa. It arrives quietly, disguised as organisation. First a note on the back of an envelope. Then a sensible list. Then several competing lists. Then a full-scale domestic archaeology project in which every cupboard, camera bag, coat pocket and kitchen drawer in the house is upended and examined with the forensic intensity of people who are absolutely, definitely, completely in control of the situation. We were not in control of the situation. But we were going to South Africa. And that, as it turned out, was more than enough. Two Photographers, One Destination, Fifty Years of Reasons It is worth, before the bags are even opened, introducing the two people making this journey — because understanding who we are explains rather a lot about how we travel. Gareth was born in Durban. He grew up in Amanzimtoti, moved to Port Elizabeth where he spent his boyhood outdoors — a Boy Scout in the proper, muddy, self-sufficient tradition — and then to Cape Town for schooling, by which point a camera had already found its way permanently into his hands. Photography began in 1974 and has not meaningfully stopped since. In 1977 and 1978 he served in the army, which sounds like an interruption to the story but was actually where, through a friend named Roger Ellis, an already keen interest in birds became something closer to a lifelong calling. After the army came a stint as a volunteer game ranger, spending spare weekends at the Karoo National Park — unpaid, entirely by choice, which tells you something important about the man. A career eventually intervened, carrying him to Johannesburg, but the outdoors was never entirely relinquished: birding, camping and travel filled every long weekend and holiday, accumulating into a knowledge of Southern Africa that is genuinely encyclopaedic. In 1995, life pivoted, and Gareth moved to the United Kingdom — Milton Keynes first, Eastbourne eventually — where British birding became a new and absorbing chapter without ever replacing the original.
3 likes • 6d
I like the way this was written. You were both much calmer than we would be when we'd leave for, at first, 2-3weeks just driving where we were led. One of trips, the longest was throughout France, travelling east to Reims then down to Lyon then to Chambre, Grenoble, Avignon, Perpignan, across to Carcassonne then up thru the middle. This is where my geography will let me down. We drove thru the Massive Central and then the Dordogne, of it might be the other way around. We got Paris via train leaving our car at th hotel we were in. I cannot recall when. However, this was the year of the heatwave which killed many. We spent much of our time in a beautiful Art Deco cinema for the aircon, watched a film called God Almighty with Jim Carrey. Not our normal choce bit was the only film in English language. We then returned to our hotel. I was using a wheelchair then so the train fair was just a discounted single with John going free. Years later, I am proud to say we went to Paris in the car. Driving around the Arc de Triomphe to get to our hotel a short distance fro the Eiffel Tower. We did it gain to go home. John does not drive. Both times I drove around it without a scratch. Both times at least twice other cars hit each other. Gosh the noise is loud even for a bump which hurt cars and not people. The following year I got a proper diagnosis as to what my problem was. My reaction was to get in the car and drive to Oslo. 1300miles on my own. I had always wanted to go and knew I couldn't put it off. I dis the same the next year but to Stockholm and this was my last adventure. I found. myself stranded, in agony and unable to move much. So I missed Stockholm despite staying in a hotel in the centre. I called John. At that moment I had never missed anyone so much in my life. It felt like my heart was being was being squeezed. We had fiends in Copenhagen. John put the dogs in our friend's boarding kennels. They were understanding and came and collected probably 6 dogs at the time. We had no idea when we would return. The drive from Stockholm to Copenhagen was very long and painful but just knowing John was waiting for me got me there. We stayed a couple of days with our friends and then made the arduous trip back to Coquelles, thru the tunnel and home, with two hotel stopovers on the way.
2 likes • 6d
@Gareth Parkes for obvious reasons camping is out for us, even in a motor home. I want to drive up around the Norfolk coast as I gather there is much to seen and plenty of wildlife. WE would need to find a 4/5* hotel on the coast to have as our base. Just from 2 or 3 nights at first as I have not driven long distance for years. I have been in remission for quite soe time now and as long as it stays this way I'll be fine. I don't mean I can walk I just mean I feel I have energy and my pain level is low. Trouble is I have no idea how long a remission will last for.
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Jan 19 •
Cameras and Lenses for Wildlife
I was asked which cameras and lenses are best for wildlife photography. The truth is, there’s no single answer — every photographer has different needs, budgets, and shooting styles. What I can do is show you what’s available, how each option fits into the wildlife world, and what strengths they bring to the field. From mirrorless bodies to DSLRs and bridge cameras, and from versatile zooms to specialist primes, here’s a clear overview of the tools you can choose from.
1 like • Feb 18
If you are wanting to take wildlife you will need a lens with reach.I use a 70-200, a 200-600 and a 400-800 when out trying to shoot birds. Not just birds but anythign that is along distance from me. It could be a building. They can even come in handy if doing landscapes and something you see in the distance just begs to be shot. I have ot have much opportunity to do landscapes but I have gleaned that wide angled lenses are needed for the best shots, like a 24mm, even less or ore, depending on need and preference. A good lens is better than a good camera within reason. I know if I had to get out of here quickly my lenses would be first I'd grab after I'd made sure the dogs were safe and John was out too. There is little point in having an excellent camera and a crap lens. A budget camera with an excellent lens is a much better choice. Of course marrying for money is easier...
0 likes • 7d
I have been obsessing recently about getting a 300 pr 400 or 500 or even a 600 prime lens. They cost a fortune. I have the 70-200, 100-400, 200-600 and 400-800. The owl was shot at 259mm as for some reason I chose the 1x4 TC and not the 2x TC on the 70-200mm lens. I am pleased witht his shot I can't imagine another few K spent on a prime will make it any better. Besides, it would seriously deplete my reserves and I also want to be able to buy the A7RVI if the upgrades are worth it.
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15d •
Great Trek
The Great Trek is now over, we have travelled from Capetown to the Mozambiqu and Eswatini borders and skirted Lesotho and now returned to Capetown. We have seen all the large animals except for whales and added at least 6 bird species to add to ebird. Walked with elephants, played with monkeys, flirted with parrots! We saw great scenery, camped under the stars, endured a storm deluge, drove in a small car on roads suitable only for 4x4s, dived in the Indian ocean and met great people. When I return to the UK I will reveal all.
1 like • 15d
What a trip! So good seeing people making the most out of life.
0 likes • 13d
I hope you won't really reveal all.
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@colin-andersson-hamill-4182
At it since childhood. Only started to take it seriously when a close friend who is a pro told me I was very good at it.
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Joined Jan 20, 2026