Time I said Hello

[Paul Whitbread]

I signed up here a few days short of a year ago but then never followed it up by posting anything. However prompted by a request for information in the Europe sub-forum, I finally used the Reply button a couple of days ago (although it appears to be awaiting the okay by a mod). I guess it would be rude to not follow it up with a hello in here. So, Hello!

I live in the south of England, and have got in to wildlife photography since I finally acquired a telephoto lens in 2010. My highlights this year have been a trip to the Welsh island of Skomer to photography my first Puffins, then a trip to Finland for bears. Since last year, my usual hunting ground has become a local farm where I had some modest success in following a pair of Little Owls. Unfortunately this year the owls have given me the run about and I've not taken as many photos as I would have liked. Gear wise, I'm a Canon 7D shooter, using either a 100-400 for 70-200 f/2.8.

My biggest failings are not getting out of bed for the early worms, and letting most of the photos I take languish in Lightroom.

And because everyone loves to share photos, here's a Puffin:


Another Puffin by Paul Whitbread, on Flickr

[Christopher Miller]

Welcome to BPN, Paul! Hope you start posting regularly. It sounds like you've had some really cool photographic adventures. Looking forward to seeing your photos!

[LinzRiverBalmer]

Welcome!!! Lovely Puffin photo, look forward to seeing more.

[Marina Scarr]

Big, warm welcome to BPN, Paul. Your trips sound quite interesting, and we'd love to see some of your resulting images. When I started to really get a little serious about photography, I was NOT a morning person. However, I learned very quickly that if I wanted the best light I had to be out there nice and early. Now it's second nature!!!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Welcome to BPN Paul! The puffin looks great..looking forward to more...

[Sandy Witvoet]

Hi Paul, Love the Puffin! Welcome!

[Cheryl Slechta]

Welcome, Paul. I think we share the same traits Lovely puffin. Hope to see lots more!

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Paul, you don't have to travel far where you live to get great wildlife, but you do have to get up early.

You should plan to visit the Farne's next year for the Puffins or contact a good friend of mine, Neil McIntyre to do Mountain Hares or Red Squirrels in the Cairngorms in January. BTW was the Finland bears with Danny G?

Look forward to seeing your images soon

[Paul Whitbread]

The bear trip was with Natures Images, but it was the earlier trip with Jules Cox. I have met Danny twice, last of which was when the boat I was using to leave Skomer was the same boat he was using to arrive with one of his groups.

I would like to do Farne, plus the Cairngorms not only for mountain hares and red squirrel, but ptarmigan too. I had an annual trip to Aviemore growing up, but that was before I got in to wildlife photography. However, all of that will have to wait. The plan for 2014 is Ecuador/Galapogose in April, and then Skomer again to take my Dad who wants to finally see Puffins. That's the limit of my wallet!

[Steve Kaluski]

You will enjoy the Galapagos islands and if you have time in Quito take a day trip to Cotopaxi.

cheers
Steve

[Grady Weed]

Lovely puffin....post more in the Avian forum. And a warm welcome to BPN!

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Hi Paul and welcome. I did the same thing when I joined because I was a member of so many forums I just was too busy to ever post and I put it off. This has become my favorite and most frequented site for learning and growing in my craft. Looking forward to more nice images

[Morkel Erasmus]

Welcome Paul - joining here has been the best decision many of us have made in our online photographic journeys...