There is only one way to settle this... FIGHT!

Tim Hunt May 11, 2014

Most wildlife will disappear or distance themselves from a potential threat, such as people getting too close for comfort. Depending on the situation, fear is surpassed by some animals and they become oblivious to what is going on around them. I have seen two robins having a scrap outside a cafe in the street - they just seem to be lost in their own little world and unaware that they risk getting trodden on by morning commuters. A sparrowhawk can be so engrossed with its prey that it doesn’t notice approaching people as a threat. This type of behaviour is mostly likely to arise as a result of food, rival males or defending territories.

These two willets were fighting in the surf on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Despite people playing in the water and others walking by along the beach, they continued to fight. After several minutes, the fight was over and the birds went their separate ways.
 Nothing like a bit of free entertainment whilst on the beach.

Costa Rica

Tim Hunt April 21, 2014

A few weeks ago I was standing in the the very hot and humid rainforest of Coast Rica. It was a totally new environment to me and along with a vast array of bizarre and highly fascinating subjects surrounding me, it was overwhelming to say the least. Sometimes it was just nice to stand back and admire it all without my camera.

Being under the dense canopy of the rainforests, meant that light was the biggest issue for photography. But foreknowing this I bought a small soft box for my speedlite (Lastolite Ezybox), which turned out to be one of the best investments I have made during my time as a photographer - it’s small compact and weighs very little, so perfect for traveling where size and weight always matter.

I spent most of my time exploring during late evening when the wildlife just seems to go into a league of its own. So armed with a 100mm macro lens and a single speedlite (soft box attached) I went in search of creatures of the night.

I came across this Red-thighed Wandering Spider that was just meters from my room where I was staying. Every night it would appear and lay in the same position, waiting for its prey to walk on past.
I can honestly say that I have never seen a spider move so fast. It grabbed a beetle that strolled by with such speed and accuracy that my eyes barely registered it. It was definatly one of the best finds of the trip.

Red-thighed Wandering Spider

Everywhere you go in Costa Rica you will see the red eyed tree frog being exploited on post cards, t-shirts and gifts etc.

If you listen carefully you can identify this particular frog from others, as they call to each other in the dark. After looking on-top and the undersides of every leaf I eventually found one. They really do live up to their reputation of being one of the most photogenic species.

Another frog that I came across was the gladiator frog.

A lot of the wildlife in Costa Rica is designed to blend into its surrounding environment, making it hard to find unless you know where to look. You defenatly need to spend a lot of time there to really reveal the hidden world.

These bats were found inside a termite mound that was seven feet up in a tree. A hole had been bored about twenty centimetres into the mound from the underside - it proved to be the perfect resting place for this colony of bats. (species to be confirmed)

Tropical Screech-Owl

Hanging flower found in the cloud rainforest (species to be confirmed)

Three-toed sloth

Crested guan

Hummingbird (species to be confirmed)

Howler monkey

Swarm of tiny black bees (species to be confirmed))

After spending just over ten days in Costa Rica, I merely even scraped the surface of what can be found. It contains some the most diverse wildlife on the planet, making it a must see place.
If possible go for as long as you can. As it takes a while to get used to the humidity (in parts).
Exploring with your eyes is one thing but when taking a lot of camera gear, I would say it was quite challenging work at times (especially when there is so much to see and photograph). But this gets easier once you acclimatise.

High resolution images can be viewed with the following link:-

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images

The project continues

Tim Hunt April 18, 2014

The last few sunny days have really started to bring the garden to life. I can once again continue the Meet Your Neighbours project on a regular basis. This year I shall have a new pond up and ready for the months ahead. Where there is water there is life, so I can’t wait to find out what takes up residence in the garden with this added feature.

Here are a few from the last few days.

Running crab spider - Philodromus dispar

Orange Tip Butterfly - Anthocharis cardaminesCommon frog tadpole - Rana temporaria

Caddis fly

Common centipede - Lithobius forficatus

High resolution images can be viewed with the following link:-

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images

Quick visit to the Cairngorms

Tim Hunt March 13, 2014

Hoping to catch the mountain hares still in their winter coasts, I travelled to the Cairngorms in the hope of getting some pictures of them. On my fist night I was presented with the northern lights, which were amazing to say the least, so I was off to a good start.

The mountain hare were fairly challenging (to get what I wanted anyway) and many of them had already started to change into their summer coats rendering them mottled white and brown. Occasionally some are quite accommodating and you can get quite close. The idea was to photograph the hares on all snow or no snow, preferably in their environment in the simplest way possible.

All in all It was good trip and I hope to return next year.

For a better viewing experience please follow the link;

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images

Florida 2014

Tim Hunt February 17, 2014

What seems to be a never-ending barrage of bad weather, has driven me go in search of some inspiration to keep the photographic passion alive. So taking advantage of the January flight sales I travelled to Florida.

A day into my trip I soon realised that the bad weather back home had come back to haunt me. Pouring rain and skies so grey the sun never made an appearance. So much for being the ‘sunshine state’. Some parts of florida had nearly 2 feet of rainfall in 24hrs. A knock on effect from all the rain meant that the swamps and pools that were usually teaming with wildlife, were now too deep for all the wading birds. Even the Everglades National Park seemed awkwardly quiet. I had hoped to spend four days there but Instead only spent an evening and a morning, before deciding to head back west.

Many other photographers that I met were also feeling the shortage of wildlife and bad weather this year, so I was not alone. It is a constant reminder of the challenges that come with this type of photography. You just have to adapt and move on.
To sum it up, I didn’t get as many images I was hoping for. Despite the bad weather I did manage to have a few productive days and I met some great people along the way, which made the trip a lot better, so thank you, I hope to stay In touch.

Here are a few favorites from my trip

For a better viewing experience please follow the the link;

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images

Osprey with fish

Armadillo foraging

Osprey

Alligator

White Ibis

Tricolored heron using its wings to create shade in order to reduce reflections

White ibis with crab

Fort Myers beach after all the rain

Brown Pellican

Great blue heron with nesting material

An alligator basks on a dirt road in front of my hire car

Tricolored Heron

Playful willets

Snowy egret chasing off a tricolored heron

Commended In International Garden Photographer of the Year

Tim Hunt February 14, 2014

Yesterday the results of the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) were released. I managed to receive a Commended award for my image “The end of the vine”. I traveled to Kew Garden to attend the private view, which was great as I was able to see a selection of the best images from competition seven. It was really nice to see images in print, considering a large percentage of modern photography is usually viewed digitally.

Check out the winning images:

http://www.igpoty.com/competition07/winners.asp?parent=winners

A few favourites from 2013

Tim Hunt January 15, 2014

The excitement of another year in photography brings deep thoughts of whats to come in terms of image making. I look back at 2013 with some memorable moments from photography. The best thing about it all is that it is never-ending. Who knows what 2014 will hold, but one thing is for sure and that is I can’t wait to find out.

The start of the year provided me with some cold weather. This tall frosty pine never looked the same again . It was one of those right place right time moments.

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After driving past this gathering of sheep. I stopped to photograph their behaviour. The one sheep was head butting the others - behaviour I have never seen before.

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South Florida provided me with a whole host of wildlife encounters that I was able to photograph to my hearts content. I plan to return soon.

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In May I was commission by Land’s End Landmark to document the natural history of the location. Staying out from dawn till dusk every day revealed dramatic landscapes brought to life by the rising and setting sun.

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This fulmar always remains in my mind as it watched me whilst it played in the high winds on the north coast of Cornwall. It was so windy I could barely stand up, yet this amazing bird just seem to perform like an acrobat just feet from the cliff side. It was certainly in its element.

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With 2013 being my first summer back home in Worcestershire since finishing University, I could really concentrate on documenting the wildlife in my local area. This collection of creatures was all found in my garden over several weeks. They were all collected, recorded and released. It truly is amazing what you can find if you let your garden grow. Since starting this project I have become an official contributor for Meet Your Neighbours (http://meetyourneighbours.net). I intend to continue this project later this year.

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I had a close encounter with some curious fox cubs - a memory I will never forget.

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It was the first time ever that I had come across toad spawn. An artistic subject matter in itself.

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Spiders became the most fasinating subject of the year. They are a real under appreciated subject.

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Whilst waiting for a little owl to emerge from its hiding place. I photographed this family of magpies on a telegraph cable, which created a pleasing image. You can tell which one is the leader.

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Saved moments from being deleted for good, during a clear out on my computer. This ant on a passion flower tendril has become one of personal favourites from 2013

The Art of Building Photography Competition 2013

Tim Hunt December 23, 2013

Aside from my regular natural history photography, I have been out fulfilling my other photographic interests. Like many genres of photography, the attraction of lines, textures and patterns led me to photographing architecture. Many people would not think is an area that I cover, as my website content is centred around showcasing the amazing natural world that surrounds us everyday.

I’m not aspiring to being a jack of all trades, but theres no harm in striving to take quality images of whatever one desires.

I came across the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Buildings) ‘Art of buildings’ photography competition and decided to try something different from the usual wildlife photography competitions. I found it to be refreshing and generally great fun and I encourage everyone to give it a go.

Out the three images per entrant limit I managed to have one image placed in the finals (see image below.) It is now down to the public to vote for the winner.

So, if you are feeling in a generous christmas spirit, please go forth and vote for your favourite image (link below) and if you are feeling extra kind please vote for mine. (Public vote closes on the 9th of January)

http://www.artofbuilding.org/vote

Merry Christmas!

FEP Emerging Talent Award 2013

Tim Hunt December 13, 2013

Earlier this year I entered the ‘Emerging Talent Award’ run by the Federation of European Photographers . The European award is for graduating students and young photographers and involves submitting a unified collection of fifteen images, which In my case were all natural history themed. (See selection below)

The results are now in and I’m delighted to say I have received a merit award for an outstanding submission. The award ceremony is to take place at Photokina 2014 in Cologne, Germany.

Congratulations to Anna Rasmussen as the Overall winner and also to the other students who received merit awards!

The end of the vine

Tim Hunt October 23, 2013

I photographed this ant on a passionflower vine last summer. It was a pleasant suprise as I stumbled across the raw file a few days ago.

The white background setup

Tim Hunt October 15, 2013

The white background setup has somewhat become an obsession over the last several months. It really is a great way to show the beauty of the subject without the distraction of anything else in the frame.

At this time of year the ground comes alive with a whole host of fungi. Now a lot of these are unsuitable for the white background approach, as many do not grow to a height that would allow a background.

But this one species that I recently came across did. The common stinkhorn Phallus impudicus grows up to a hight of 20cm, which is perfect for utilizing the white background technique.

Before heading into the woods with my equipment, I recced the location beforehand to find some good spots. Upon finding some good fungi, I returned later with everything I needed to successfully photograph my subjects on white.

My setup includes: -

Lighting - Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit with two flash heads

Lighting Stands – 1x boom, 1x regular

Lighting modifiers – 1x softbox, 1 reflector

1x A2 sheet of white perspex

1x small tripod and clamp to hold the perspex

1x backpack

In the backpack: -

Flash power pack and cables

Canon 5D mk ii

Lenses from 24mm to 200mm

The setup

The result

70-200mm @130mm - 1/200sec - f14 - ISO 200

The patience of a raft spider

Tim Hunt September 29, 2013

I cant seem to get enough of these amazing spiders. They pose perfectly allowing you to set up and compose your shot. I rarely come across a creature that will rest motionless allowing you to use slow shutter speeds to enable optimal apertures at a low ISO on a dull day.

Shutter speed - 1/16 sec
Aperture - f11
ISO 400
Tripod

Devil's coach horse and a shaggy inkcap

Tim Hunt September 29, 2013

Devil’s coach horse beetle (Ocypus olens)

Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus comatus)

A family of magpies

Tim Hunt September 22, 2013

Life on white at RSPB Arne

Tim Hunt September 16, 2013

Here are a few from my visit to RSPB Arne in Dorset. It is always a pleasure photographing new subjects on white.

Wasp spider Argiope bruennichi

Raft spider Dolomedes fimbriatus

High resolution images can be viewed with the following link:-

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images

Portland Bill Lighthouse

Tim Hunt September 15, 2013

High resolution images can be viewed with the following link:-

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images/album/dorset?p=1

The Bank vole and the blackberries

Tim Hunt September 14, 2013

I came across a bank vole not long ago that had fallen into an old victorian well thats in my garden. The well has claimed the lives of many small creatures including frogs and small mammals over the years. I try to check it as much as I can to make sure there is nothing that has fallen in and cant get out.

This was the first mammal that I had found that had survived the fall or at least starvation. As soon as catching the vole with a small net, I placed it in a tank with some fresh and dried grass. It instantly started eating the fresh grass. It must have been starving and also dehydrated. Even though it was eating you could tell it didn’t look well. I was convinced it was going to die.

I collected a few blackberries which I thought would help as they contained plenty of moisture. They seemed to work a treat as it ate them all. It was definitely perking up.
As it made a clear recovery I set up my field studio and hung a bunch of blackberries over the surface where I placed the vole. It went strait to them and reared up and even climbed up into the bunch an started nibbling the fruit. It was a real joy to see this behaviour and even made some great images. I later released the vole back into the garden.

High resolution images can be viewed with the following link:-

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images

Spiders Galor on the Arne Peninsula

Tim Hunt September 6, 2013

I have recently just spent several days at one of my favourite places in Dorset which is the Arne Peninsula. Arne at this time of year is awash with spider activity. Their webs cover the landscape creating a real spectacle that I highly recommend going to see. I have edited a few images in the short time that I have back home before heading to Cornwall to attend my graduation. I will post more images when I am back, but in the meantime here are a few of my favourites.

Four-spot orb weaver Araneus quadratus

Wasp spider Argiope bruennichi

Raft spider protecting young Dolomedes fimbriatus

Garden spider Araneus diadematus

High resolution images can be viewed with the following link:-

http://www.timhuntphotography.co.uk/untitled/recent-images

Four bronze awards and a Juror Award of Merit

Tim Hunt August 29, 2013

Some recent news on the competition front. My image of a tricoloured heron received Juror Award of Merit in the International Fine Art Photography Awards. The finalists along with awards of merit can be seen via the following link.

https://www.internationalfineartphoto.org