Join Professional Wildlife Photographer Paul McDougall for a day photographing Red Squirrels in the daytime along with Finches and other woodland bird and then in the evening Otter using low powered flash.
This is a small group wildlife photography workshop, Paul will be on hand throughout the day to help you with your camera settings and leave the day with some truly memorable wildlife images.
Location: Kirkcudbright
Duration: 1 or 2 days
This Event is part of a possible 2 day workshop (see seperate event for previous day)
This hide workshop is designed to highlight the very best of the Dumfries & Galloway area in south-west Scotland.
The Scottish Lowlands in this part of Scotland are a real gem, They are often overlooked for the more iconic Scottish wildlife destinations of the highlands and islands. But you won’t be disappointed as the wildlife is rich, unique and plentiful. We work with Alan McFadyen as no one knows the wildlife of this area better than him. Alan is an award winning photographer and his hides have been used by fellow professionals and hobbyists alike, the hides have featured on BBC, ITV, national papers and have provided many award winning images and was the face of Canons 1DX mkii advertising campaign.
We’ll be based throughout the trip near the town of Kirkcudbright where we will have access to 4 carefully selected hides situated in a number of locations.
Day 2:
Daytime Hide – Jumping Squirrel and Fighting Finches
The main targets are Red Squirrel, However you will be entertained all day from Woodland bird species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue, Coal and Great Tits, Pheasant, Robin, Dunnock, Nuthatch, Chaffinch and a good chance the Sparrowhawks and or Buzzards will be around. During the warmer months there is also a good chance Tawny Owls and Badgers will visit during daylight hours. The set up here makes it possible to photograph Red Squirrels jumping straight at you and goldfinches and chaffinches squabbling over food.
Evening Hide – Otters
The Otter Photography Hide is quite an experience with you being sat in a comfortable chair only around 10ft away from your subject at eye level. It is only a short walk to this hide, you basically park in a secure car park and it is situated about 40 metres away. For the Otters you are only needing around 100mm to 120mm focal length on a full frame camera. We recommend to use a beanbag or a gimbal head. The hide has plates for all 4 spaces.
Lens from 100mm to 500mm, no tripod required as the hide has a bench along the front and has bean bags in the hide.
There are 2 options for this eitheworkshop a one day trip or 2 consecutive days. (Check seperate event listing for Sparrowhawk and Badger) It is not possible to swap the days around so please book both days or whichever includes the subjects that interest you.
As with all my workshops I will be on hand to give advice on settings and various different shots that can be achieved. The group will be a maximum of 4 people so there will be plenty of opportunities to work with everyone one on one if required.
It is an action packed day full of wildlife photography opportunities and fully guided throughout.
Please note that the day includes the cost of the hide booking. But does not include any meals or accommodation (if required)
