Shooting Birds of Prey

You may notice that surprises feature prominently on this blog! (So far two out of three posts start with a surprise!)

For my birthday I was whisked off into the depths of the New Forest, camera in hand, no clue what to expect. Considering I have been staying in the New Forest for the past few months and I rarely leave the house without my camera, I wasn’t worried. I had however been told that the pink and red combo I was planning to wear that day would not go down well.

So I had to look the part…hmmm….
On arrival at  Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre I was greeted by a group of very professional looking Professional Photographers. I am a super keen photographer, combined with my amazing birthday present of a Nikon 3000 (you only turn 30 once) I have already taken about 5000 photos. I’m not saying I have taken 5000 brilliant photos, but 5000 none the less.

At this point it was revealed that I would be shooting (photographing) 5 different birds of prey in the forest with this elite group! One of the Liberty’s staff members very kindly leant me a 70mm lens because I am yet to sell my   right arm for one.



I love birds, birds of prey included, therefore,


Photography + birds of prey = very awesome birthday present!


When we started shooting I sheepishly set my camera to P.
Was anyone else using the automatic settings on their cameras?
Would I be branded with a bright red N (novice) and evicted from the group?


Apparently not.


The group was actually really chilled. Everyone was really considerate and made sure they didn’t stand in front of or directly opposite anyone. Nothing like ruining the perfect shot with a dorky looking (me) novice snapping away on auto in the background.


The only slightly tense moment came when an oblivious family man sauntered over from his picnic spot, young son in tow, to take pics on his little happy snappy camera*.
We had paid for the privilege after all. Well, I hadn’t, but everyone else had.

*camera snob!