Best Africa Wildlife Photography Safari
I’ve been on quite a few Safaris now in South Africa and Kenya so I am taking the steps to put together the best African Wildlife Photography Safari based on my experiences..Read More
2016 Wildlife Photography Holidays in Scotland – dates announced.
February 10, 2015
Please find below the 2016 dates for our most popular Wildlife Photography Holidays in Scotland.
Wildlife Photography Holidays in Scotland
Highland Winter Wildlife Photography Tour
- Speyside, Scotland
- 30 Jan-01 Feb 2016, 05-08 Feb 2016
Spring on Mull: Otter, Puffin and Eagle Photography Tour
- Mull, Scotland
-
15-20 May 2016, 22-27 May 2016
Owls of the Outer Hebrides Bird Photography Tour
- North Uist, Benbecula
- 20-25 June 2016
- Grantown on Spey, Cairngorms, Speyside
- 07-10 June 2016
Winter Wildlife Photography Holidays in Scotland are well underway
February 09, 2015
Well we are are now half way through February and having guided over 20 people on our Wildlife Photography Holidays in Scotland and Guided Photography Days we are having some great results.
Of course we have been photographing Mountain Hare, Crested Tits, Red Deer, Red Squirrels and Red Grouse, but the highlight for me so far has been the amazing Ptarmigan. The key to the great Ptarmigan photography this winter has been how low down they are on the hill (after the early snows in Feb that is!). Just 20 minutes or so of walking from the car park level and you are seeing the first Ptarmigan. This means you have much more time to photograph them in a range of habitats and doing lots of interesting stuff.
With the snow now melting I can only think things will be a little harder from here on in, but with longer days ahead things are feeling great!
If you want to find out more about the best ways to photograph Ptarmigan check out this guide.
Eagle Photography On Mull – Trip Report 2014
October 20, 2014
Images from Eagle Photography On Mull tour are copyright of ebirder clients Fiona Govan, Liz Wheelans, Peter Duncan and John Boyd.
A most enjoyable and productive trip
Peter Duncan
With the forecast looking promising we kicked off our fourth “Eagles Only” tour of Mull with some welcome drinks and a meal in the local hotel/restaurant/pub. I could tell from the start that this group were going to trouble! 
Over our meals and a couple of drinks we discussed some of the techniques involved and best places to stand on the boat for getting the best Eagle shots and got to know each other. There was a great camaraderie between the group and we were off to a good start. Whilst, The aim of the weekend is White Tailed Eagle photography we had some spare time to look for some other wildlife and after a quick discussion we decided to head out for Otters after breakfast (yes after breakfast – this is like being on holiday!).
After around an hour on the shore we had little to show for our efforts until the guide expertly picked up on an Otter feeding on the shore. Okay so that’s not how it happened. Peter picked out an Otter no more than 20 yards away whilst the guide was regaling dull stories about the flora and fauna of Mull! A couple of record shots in the bag I decided to 4×4 onto the beach – there was no chance of getting out to get closer. The Otter stayed in position and enabled us to grab some shots. Not perfect by any means but a great bonus.
The very best of wildlife tours run with style and friendliness by Marcus Conway. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and also came home with what I went for,some excellent shots. I also felt it was good value for money.
John Boyd
The Main Event – Eagle Photography On Mull
In all we witnessed nearly 20 Eagle dives from our time on the boat – 75% of these on our private charters. Everyone was certain with ten dives they would nail a shot. The waters were calm, the light forgiving and we were set. Unfortunately by the time we arrived at the first site one of the party was green. The guide’s best intentions of offering an egg sandwich to ease the woe were not met favourable! However, when the Eagles arrived a recovery ensued and we were treated to the amazing spectacle of these colossal birds diving just meters from the boat.
Marcus as a guide was excellent, easy to get on with, informative, helpful and committed to us having the best experience throughout the tour which included taking each client’s needs into account
Fiona Govan
Conditions improved and over the next two days we witnessed a range of different dives in a range of conditions. The most exciting being a dive in a brief rain shower that was truly unique. The results speak for themselves.
The company and banter over the weekend was great and it seemed like we had all known each other for years (or maybe it just felt like it!) when we sat down for a farewell and celebratory meal. The good times flowed and promises were made (and kept!). Thanks to Peter, Fiona, Liz and John for a fab few days that will take some beating!
Thanks Marcus for a good weekend on Mull photographing white tailed eagles.
Liz Wheelans
Updated List of Nature Photography Holidays
October 16, 2014
UPDATED
We were recently asked for details of all our nature photography holidays and tours in 2015 so we thought it may be handy to list them all in one place. Of course if you fancy some private guiding outside of the organised tour then we can also offer that too!
Here’s a list of our 2015 tours
Highland Winter Wildlife Photography Tour
- Speyside, Scotland
- 2015 dates 30 Jan-01 Feb (FULL), 05-08 Feb (1 space)
- £545 per person
Spring on Mull: Otter, Puffin and Eagle Photography Tour
- Mull, Scotland
- Five days 17th – 22nd May 2015 (FULL), 24th – 29th May 2015 (FULL)
- £1195 per person
Owls of the Outer Hebrides Bird Photography Tour
- North Uist, Benbecula
- Five days, 21st – 26th June 2015 (FULL)
- £1195
- Grantown on Spey, Cairngorms, Speyside (FULL)
- Three days, 01-04 June 2015
- £595 per person
White Tailed Sea Eagle Photography Tour
- Mull, Scotland
- 4th – 6th September 2015
- £590 per person
Islay, Geese and Otter Photography Tour
- Islay
- 16th – 20th November 2014
- 16th – 20th November 2015
- £945
List of Nature Photography Holidays
September 15, 2014
We were recently asked for details of all our nature photography holidays and tours in 2015 so we thought it may be handy to list them all in one place. Of course if you fancy some private guiding outside of the organised tour then we can also offer that too!
Here’s a list of our 2015 tours
Highland Winter Wildlife Photography Tour
- Speyside, Scotland
- 2015 dates 30 Jan-01 Feb (1 space left), 05-08 Feb
- £545 per person
Spring on Mull: Otter, Puffin and Eagle Photography Tour
- Mull, Scotland
- Five days 17th – 22nd May 2015 (FULL), 24th – 29th May 2015 (one space)
- £1195 per person
Owls of the Outer Hebrides Bird Photography Tour
- North Uist, Benbecula
- Five days, 21st – 26th June 2015
- £1195
- Grantown on Spey, Cairngorms, Speyside
- Three days, 01-04 June 2015
- £595 per person
White Tailed Sea Eagle Photography Tour
- Mull, Scotland
- 4th – 6th September 2015
- £590 per person
Islay, Geese and Otter Photography Tour
- Islay
- 16th – 20th November 2014 (provisionally full)
- 16th – 20th November 2015
- £945
Outer Hebrides Photography Tour – trip report 2014
Images are copyright of ebirder clients; John and Angie Fielding, Ian Curran and Artur Stankiewicz
Outer Hebrides Photography Tour – client gallery of John Fielding
Its funny how some things work out. Having travelled to Mull and Shetland in May and early June I knew spring had been through quickly this year and when I arrived on the Outer Hebrides in mid June it was with some trepidation that we may be too late. I knew my clients were keen to get owls on the Outer Hebrides Photography Tour, but they also wanted to enjoy a fine supporting cast of breeding waders on the flowering machair as well as Corncrake and some passage summer plumage waders.
It was clear from arrival that the number of breeding waders was low. Mother Nature had not read the timetable. My heart sank a little. All was not lost. Indeed far from it. Over the next two weeks we were rewarded with some of the most amazing Short Eared Owl moments. Our timing was perfect!
Short Eared Owl Photography steals the show.
On average we saw 24 Short Eared Owls each day and of these we photographed between 3 and 6. It was the mind blowing quality of the encounters that blew us all away. Short Eared Owl chicks were fledging from the key spots we had researched earlier in the year and this meant we were able to spend several hours at specific locations capturing unique images and all without disturbing the birds. We saw fledged Short Eared Owls being fed and squabbles between siblings and all within photographic range.
Having been guided expertly by Marcus on 5 previous tours, I thought it couldn’t get much better. I was wrong! The Outer Hebrides trip was a tour de force! Apart from the waders, harriers, corn buntings, golden eagle and stunning machair, we saw no less than 40 short eared owls! Many of these sightings were photographic opportunities, which resulted in a memorable set of images!
John Fielding
Indeed the action was so good by the latter stages of the tour we were choosy. We didn’t waste time on any owls over 100 metres away and focussed on the families we knew. Two in particular. A solo female with one fledgling (and one eye) and a group of four fledglings near a picturesque lochan. With our memories cards busting (some 3000 owl shots later) the weather improved and we captured images of fabulous waders such as Snipe, Ringed Plover. Dunlin, and Sandleing. Best of all many of these were in the spectacular flowers of the machir. You can see more images in the following places;
Artur’s website – to 30 or so stunning owl shots
John’s flickr page
Ian’s Birdfroum Gallery
If this trip report has whetted your appetite and you would like to join us in 2015 you can find more details on the Owl Photography Holiday on the Outer Hebrides tour page
White Tailed Eagle Photography Workshop on Mull
With just one week to go we are really excited about our upcoming White Tailed Eagle Photography Workshop on Mull. Meeting up with the old crowd at Mull Charters aboard Lady Jayne.
We’ve heard its been a great White Tailed Eagle season. If our photography tour in Mull was anything to go by the photo opportunities must have been mouth watering.
Appetite whetted. Mull here we come!
White Tailed Eagle Photography Holiday – Getting Ready for Eagles!
August 25, 2014
We’re shortly heading back to Mull for the third time this year to run our White Tailed Eagle Photography Holiday. High on the list for this tour is White Tailed Eagle Photography and hopefully some good weather to go with it!
If you want a free guide on photographing White Tailed Eagles in Scotland take a look at our FREE online wildlife photography guides. The guides are specifically designed for bird and wildlife photographers looking to get the most out of a photography tour or holiday to Mull or Scotland in general.
We are adding tome more guides in conjunction with birdguides so if you have a specific target in mind please feel free to contact us.
Scottish Bird Photography Holidays – New Accomodation Partner
26/07/2014
Following a successful trial through the past 6 months we are pleased to announce that our exclusive hotel accommodation partner for our bird photography holidays in the Cairngorms and Speyside is the “UK’s Wildlife Hotel”, the Grant Arms in Grantown on Spey.
Our Winter Photography Holiday will now be based from this fabulous hotel and our tour includes very comfortable and clean, en suite rooms, with complimentary WIFI and a three course dinner that all our guests have praised. We also operate our Spring in the Mountains tour from the same base.
Additionally if you are coming for a one to one or a bespoke guiding experience we would recommend staying at the Grant Arms. The Bird Watching & Wildlife Club, based at the Grant Arms Hotel, exists for anyone interested in wildlife, from beginners to dedicated birdwatchers. All Hotel Guests are welcome to use the Club’s facilities which include the Lecture Theatre (the Osprey Suite), Club Room and Natural History Library. The BWWC Team provides free guided walks, wildlife briefings and regular talks.