RSPB

ON November 11, Simon Booker, a semi-professional wildlife photographer, gave a talk to members of the RSPB entitled “Strictly nature: wildlife on our doorstep” about nature in South Oxfordshire.

Through his outstanding photographs and videos Simon showed the wealth of nature that can be enjoyed within a few miles of South Stoke.

In his experience four main elements are required for wildlife photography: passion, perseverance, luck and learning. Passion is what gets him out of bed at 5am even on cold winter mornings and what drives him to achieve the best shot he can.

He took more than 7,000 photographs of kingfishers before he managed to achieve a picture of the bird with a fish which satisfied him. It was the kingfisher which taught him about patience and perseverance and this was certainly needed when it came to photographing otters, which involved hours of waiting in the early hours of the morning and getting superb close shots of hares by lying in a trench between crops in an arable field.

Although there is an element of luck in managing to capture the perfect picture, Simon follows the advice of Greek philosopher Seneca who said that “luck is where opportunity meets preparation”.

Simon prepares not only by using the best camera equipment he can but by using camouflage to enable him to get close to birds and animals without disturbing them.

He illustrated this by donning not only camouflage clothing but “leafy” camouflage which enables him to merge almost completely with surrounding hedges and bushes.

On one occasion a friendly landowner brought him a warming cup of coffee but couldn’t find him, so well hidden was he!

The art of photography also involves constant learning, not only about how to get the best out of complex modern camera equipment but also how to compose the picture, taking the background into account, capturing the habitat and getting down to eye level with the subject wherever possible.

We were left marvelling at the beauty of what we have right on our doorstep if only we take time to look.