Wildlife and Wild Places: February 2011

Thursday, 17 February 2011

Exotic butterflies at The Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Wisley in Surrey.

I recently visited the world class gardens at Wisley in Surrey, please enjoy some photographs of exotic butterflies.

Tuesday, 1 February 2011

New Mexico

As you may be aware, horses are one of my favourite subjects to photograph, I am always looking to expand my portfolio. During 2010, I decided to travel in search of the 'Mustang' horse. I flew into Albuquerque and drove to a small town called Chama.

I spent a few days in and around the Murano Mustang sanctuary near Chama and had one day in Jicarilla (Apache Indians) Reservation, near Dulce, New Mexico. It was one of those trips one puts down to being 'exploratory' as the mages I was looking for did not materialise. However, thats the fun of wildlife photography.

Please enjoy a few images of the Mustangs shown below.

Chama is a small town just inside the New Mexico Colorado border. Chama is the terminus for the most delightful scenic railway. Due to a travel commitment, I was not able to travel on the train the following day, although I did manage to secure some pictures of the train pulling in to Chama station at 1600 that day. Chama railway is known as the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad and runs from Chama to Antonio in Colorado, a distance of 63 miles.

Please enjoy the images of the train and engines at Chama station.

Travelling back to Albuquerque we passed through the most amazing rock red sandstone rock formations. This area is associated with the famous artists Georgia O'Keefe, with the 'Ghost Ranch' Abiquiu, where she did a number of her paintings.

After leaving New Mexico we headed up to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts to visit a friend with a number of Marwari horses. (See previous blog with Marwari horses.) We flew in to Boston, hired a car and drove down to Martha's Vineyard via the ferry. It was there we made contact with our friend, Francesca, where we then spent 2 wonderful days exploring Martha's Vineyard. I must show this picture of Francesca with her new vintage Chevrolet Powerglide. The picture is in sepia which best depicts the age and magnificence of the car -and Francesca!

The Marwari horses are stabled on Chappaquiddick, another short ferry ride, so we went off to see them at their summer stables.

We left Martha's vineyard and drove back to Boston. Boston is the centre for whale watching tours and I was determined to capture some pictures of whales. After 2 trips to Canada's west coast, still had not got any suitable whale pictures, third time lucky! Setting off from Boston harbour on the whale watching boat and cruising for an hour to reach the Stellwagon Bank we slowed down and waiting for an appearance. After a few false starts of looking over the boat one side while the whale breached on the other side!! I managed to capture these images, boy was I lucky!

Michael Huggan's Wildlife and Wild Places 2011 Calendar

The images I have selected for the 2011 calendar are some of my favourites from the collection of photographs I have taken over the last few years. During the last year I have travelled to India and North America, two countries that are totally different, both with a wealth of photographic opportunities.

India is one of those destinations that everybody must visit, the people are friendly, the rich colours are everywhere and the photo opportunities abound. A top destination, no doubt I will return.

North America is a country that has everything, whales, wildlife, exotoc birds and dramatic scenery, a must for all photographers.

Wildlife and Wild Places - enjoy the pictures!

To order your 2011 Wildlife and Wild Places calendar, please visit my website

www.michaelhuggan.com/sales_shop_purchase.php

Alligator

Whilst sitting on a boardwalk somewhere in the Everglades getting ready to take a photograph of a Great Egret, I had the sensation that something was behind me and truning around I saw this alligator heading in my direction! I quickly took the shot before moving to a less vunerable position. The picture has turnedout to be one of my best sellers as a canvas print.

The Colours of Zanzibar

I took this picture in Stonetown, Zanzibar along the harbour front. There was many vendors selling their wares and I came across a rack of silk scarves displayed. The range of bring colours had an immediate impact on me and also makes a great image. Another picture that sells well a a canvas print.

Humpback Whales

I have travelled miles over many years to capture a whale breaching, after many hours and several locations I still had not got the picture I wanted. While in Boston, Massachusetts earlier this year I was invited onto one of the whale watching boats, it was here I managed to capture this image of a calf breaching with its mother nearby. Success at last!

Dancing Horse

One of the troupe of dancing horses displaying at the International endurance championships in Rajasthan. The presence of the horse and rider, plus the vivid colours makes this a good picture. This picture also looks great as a canvas print.

Red Stag Deer

One winters day in the Scottish Highlands, I ventured out with a colleague to photograph deer. I have always wanted to take this classic picture of 'The Monarch of the Glen.' After several days of lookig for the right location and subject, I managed to capture this image.

Sunset

Whilst photographing Ospeys on a lake in Florida USA, I noticed the sun was setting at a particular point. Waiting behind the cypress tress in the boat I used the trees to bracket the sunset. In fact this turned out to be the best picture of a few I took. Looks great as a canvas print.

Ghost Ranch

Whilst travelling through New Mexico earlier this year towards Albuquerque, from Chama, we drove past this rock structure. The images was taken at the side of the road amoungst other stricking rock formations. The image works well with the combination of rich blue sky and colour of the sandstone rocks. I have this images as a large canvas and it has tremendous impact.

Elephant

I was paddeling down the Zambezi River in a canoe, when this elephant came rushing out the bush waiving its trunk and flapping its ears. The guide in the canoe started paddling frantically while I took this picture. I shouted at the guide to slow down so I could 'frame' the subject correctly, the reply I got back was not for print, but it was tantamount to he's coming for us, paddle!!!

Great Egret

One of the great things of photographing in Florida, USA is the rich blue sky, the birds are in abundance and very accessible. The Geat Egret passed by with a gentle rhythmic beat of its wings. Camera ready and being observant always pays dividends. This picture always looks great as a canvas print.

Disco Camel

I could not resist taking this pictureof the camel's head. The camel was part of a troupe of dancing horses and camels at an event in Rajasthan, India. The detail of the face and the wonderful colours that adorn the camel makes for a great picture.

Reflections

One very cold frosty morning whilst walking alongthe banks of the River Garonne in France, I came across this view. The river was running but the reflection was captured without much distortion. Fortunatly, the image was captured by the camera in all its glory.

Chital Deer

Sometimes the simplest of subjects makes the best pictures. I photographed these Chital Deer in the forests of Ranthambore in India. Whist travelling along the road looking for tigers, the deer were one of the many subjects that made the trip worthwhile.

The grand opening of Michael Huggan's photographic exhibition a great success

Dr Mike Maloney officially opens 'Wildlife and Wild Places' at The Allen Gallery in Alton, Hants

Alton Town Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor David Willoughby and Mrs Margaret Willoughby, and the former president of the Royal Photographic Society, John Page, were also in attendance