Michael Huggan’s Photographic Exhibition in Alton Opened by Dr Mike Maloney OBE

Alton Town Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor David Willoughby and Mrs Margaret Willoughby, as well as the former president of the Royal Photographic Society, John Page, attended the grand opening of Michael Huggan’s ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ photographic exhibition

Left to right: Mike Maloney with Michael Huggan

Alton, Hampshire – ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’, the latest photographic exhibition of distinguished and award-winning wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, was officially opened by Dr Mike Maloney OBE on 6th August 2010. The free exhibition is being held at The Allen Gallery in Alton, Hampshire, until 5pm 28th August 2010.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer, was delighted to have been invited to open the exhibition by Michael Huggan ARPS (Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction) whom he said in his opening speech, was the best wildlife photographer he knows.

Alton Town Mayor and Mayoress with Michael Huggan

The exhibition is called ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ because Michael’s photography has grown from purely wildlife to everything that surrounds it. It includes stunning photographs taken in Africa, India, America and the Camargue in France, of not only the wildlife but also the locations, people and their environment.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, in his opening address, said:

“When you commission Michael Huggan, you know you will receive a higher standard of image than most photographers can achieve. Michael really understands how to capture that perfect shot.”

Also on display was Michael Huggan’s 2011 calendar, considered by Dr Mike Maloney to be the best wildlife calendar he had ever seen.

‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ is now on at The Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2BW Tel 0845 603 5635, until 5:00pm Saturday 28 Aug 2010. Admission is free.


About Michael Huggan
Long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), Michael Huggan lives in Four Marks, Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards including a gold medal from the Royal Photographic Society and a bronze medal from the Photographic Society of America. His limited edition and exhibition-range framed pictures, note cards and his 2011 calendar can be viewed and purchased from http://www.michaelhuggan.com/.

For more information, please contact:
Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5AJ

+44(0)7860 280097
mailto:michael@michaelhuggan.com
http://www.michaelhuggan.com/

Photography Monthly: Wild at Heart

Current edition of Photography Monthly
(Photo by Michael Huggan)

Throughout the month of August 2010, Michael will be exhibiting a collection of his photographs at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire. Entry to the exhibition is free.

The free exhibition is entitled, “Wildlife and Wild Places’.

New Delhi to Ranthambore - the conclusion

Rajasthan, episode 7

This will be the last blog post on our travels from New Delhi to Ranthambore. After Ranthambore, we remained in Rajasthan on the edge of the Great Thar desert at Roop Niwas and Dundlod, the HQ of the 81st Endurance event. For those of you who have not seen my web site, I would urge you to do so. There are many images showing what a wonderful place India is – you must go there.

There are a number of people I would like to thank for ensuring our stay and travels through Rajasthan were as stress free as possible. The first is ‘Jaipal Singh’ our driver. For two weeks, Jaipal drove us from New Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Japur, Roop Niwas, Dunlod and back to New Delhi. Not once did he miss a beat. His driving was impeccable and even Memsahib felt comfortable the whole trip.

Jaipal works for ‘Royal Expeditions', the company that organized all our hotels, city guides, and anything else you can think of. One example of customer service: When we were in Jaipur, I realized I had left my jacket in the hotel at Ranthambore, some 4 hours driving distance. I mentioned this to our driver, Jaipal, and he phoned Royal Expeditions HQ to see what could be done. This was at 9.00am in the morning. By the time we returned to the hotel in the evening, about 6.00 pm, my jacket was waiting for me in reception. I was amazed! A young man was sent on the train from Jaipur to Ranthambore and back to collect my jacket – at no cost to me. WOW, what about that for service?

Royal expeditions can be contacted at http://www.royalexpeditions.com/. Please use them if you are travelling anywhere in India.

The person who was primarily responsible for our trip was Caroline Moorey. Caroline is chair of the "Friends of Marwari / Kathiawari Horse UK" and one of the GB Team riders. Please support this web site http://www.friendsofmarwari.org.uk/ there is lots of information about the indigenous horse breeds in India.

I leave you with a few pictures of Indian transport. The pictures bring a smile to my face every time I see them. I trust you have enjoyed our Rajasthan blog series over the last few months.





Rajasthan, episode 6: Tigers and Ranthambore

Distinguished Photographer Michael Huggan Puts On ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ Exhibition throughout August 2010

Cheetah on a termite mound in Africa

Official opening of the exhibition at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire, will be by Britain’s most decorated press photographer,
Dr Mike Maloney OBE, on 6th August 2010

Hampshire – Throughout the month of August 2010, award-winning Hampshire-based wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), will be exhibiting a collection of his photographs at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire. The free exhibition is entitled, “Wildlife and Wild Places’.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer, will be officially opening the exhibition at 7:00pm on Friday 6th August 2010 (by invitation only).

Kathawari stallion, Rajasthan

“The Allen Gallery serves the local community and promotes different skills locally. As a local photographer, I was extremely happy to be asked to display my pictures for the month of August. I decided to call the exhibition ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ because my photography has grown from purely wildlife to everything that surrounds it. Of the places I have visited (Africa, India, the Camargue in France and parts of the American dessert), one must take into account the locations, people and their environment. All these elements, together, make the final picture,” explains Michael.

On display will be images, canvas prints and cards of locations, wildlife and customs of Africa, India and the US. The exhibition will also include images of ‘Marwari’ horses in India and of the American Mustang horses of New Mexico.

‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ is on at The Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2BW Tel 0845 603 5635, from 10:00am Tuesday 03 Aug 2010 to 5:00pm Saturday 28 Aug 2010. Admission is free.

Michael Huggan

About Michael Huggan
Long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), Michael Huggan lives in Four Marks, Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards, most notably a Royal Photographic Society gold medal in 2007. His photography, available as limited edition pictures, calendars, note cards and exhibition-range framed pictures can be viewed at http://www.michaelhuggan.com/assignments.php. Michael also recently launched a new instructional website for budding wildlife photographers: http://www.wildlifephotographyinfo.com/. Michael is a supporter of the Born Free Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5AJ

01962 773697
michael@michaelhuggan.com
http://www.michaelhuggan.com/

Submitted by:
John Wood
+44 777 152 0001
jw@worldwidepr.net
http://www.worldwidepr.net/
http://twitter.com/worldwidepr

Tigers and Ranthambore

Tiger emerging from the bush

Rajasthan, episode 6

On arrival at our lodgings at Tiger Den, adjacent to Ranthambore National Park, we were rushed into the Jeep and sped off into the bush. Tigers had been sighted and we were late!

Tigers are one of the species I was yet to see in the wild, so my level of expectancy was high. However, I am also a realist. Ranthambore is vast and, with only forty tigers reported to live in this section of the reserve, I was under no illusions about seeing one. I have spoken to many fellow travelers who had not seen a tiger when visiting Ranthambore.

We booked four separate trips to the reserve traveling by private jeep. It is essential to book months in advance and payment is also required at the same time to guarantee entry to the reserve. The reserve is split up into four zones and each vehicle is allocated a zone when they enter the park. Your zone is selected by random with a computer, so, if you get a zone where tigers have not been seen, and may not be there, you just have to hope something else will come along.

On our first trip into the reserve we headed off to a spot where two tigers had made a kill and were still feeding off the carcass. We traveled through the reserve on dusty tracks only to be confronted by a traffic jam of Jeeps, Canters (16 to 20-seat safari buses) and other vehicles all trying to see a tiger.

This image should give you an indication of what happens when everybody heads for the same spot!


I managed to get a glimpse of a tiger in the bush and get a couple of pictures, not to my liking, but I saw the tiger.

Over the following two days, we had success in seeing two more tigers together and managed to get a few shots feeding on a carcass. The last morning, we were directed into a zone where tigers had not been seen. So, with an open mind, we spent our time visiting various locations of the reserve. WOW what a place. We travelled through the reserve past lakes, wetlands, scrub, seeing the most wonderful scenes populated by Samba deer, Chittal deer, amazing bird life and Black-face monkeys, running around the ramparts of the fort.

The following images should give you an indication of the diversity of wildlife that inhabits the reserve, as well as the tigers.

I did not get my ‘perfect’ tiger picture, but I have never achieved my perfect picture in Africa and elsewhere. One day I will return to India and see if I can get my ‘Perfect’ picture. Until then, enjoy the pictures.

Tiger feeding on the buffalo carcass

View over the lake

Black-faced Langur monkeys

Chittal deer

Samba male deer tangling horns

Ranthambore Fort

Mongoose

Snake eagle

Our Jeep with Devendra, our guide

Rajasthan, episode 5: Ranthambore Bharatpur to Ranthambore (Sawi Madhopur Junction) by Rail

Distinguished Photographer Michael Huggan Puts On ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ Exhibition throughout August 2010

Cheetah on a termite mound in Africa

Official opening of the exhibition at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire, will be by Britain’s most decorated press photographer,
Dr Mike Maloney OBE, on 6th August 2010

Hampshire – Throughout the month of August 2010, award-winning Hampshire-based wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), will be exhibiting a collection of his photographs at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire. The free exhibition is entitled, “Wildlife and Wild Places’.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer, will be officially opening the exhibition at 7:00pm on Friday 6th August 2010 (by invitation only).

Kathawari stallion, Rajasthan

“The Allen Gallery serves the local community and promotes different skills locally. As a local photographer, I was extremely happy to be asked to display my pictures for the month of August. I decided to call the exhibition ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ because my photography has grown from purely wildlife to everything that surrounds it. Of the places I have visited (Africa, India, the Camargue in France and parts of the American dessert), one must take into account the locations, people and their environment. All these elements, together, make the final picture,” explains Michael.

On display will be images, canvas prints and cards of locations, wildlife and customs of Africa, India and the US. The exhibition will also include images of ‘Marwari’ horses in India and of the American Mustang horses of New Mexico.

‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ is on at The Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2BW Tel 0845 603 5635, from 10:00am Tuesday 03 Aug 2010 to 5:00pm Saturday 28 Aug 2010. Admission is free.

Michael Huggan

About Michael Huggan
Long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), Michael Huggan lives in Four Marks, Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards, most notably a Royal Photographic Society gold medal in 2007. His photography, available as limited edition pictures, calendars, note cards and exhibition-range framed pictures can be viewed at http://www.michaelhuggan.com/assignments.php. Michael also recently launched a new instructional website for budding wildlife photographers: http://www.wildlifephotographyinfo.com/. Michael is a supporter of the Born Free Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5AJ

01962 773697
michael@michaelhuggan.com
http://www.michaelhuggan.com/

Submitted by:
John Wood
+44 777 152 0001
jw@worldwidepr.net
http://www.worldwidepr.net/
http://twitter.com/worldwidepr

Bharatpur to Ranthambore (Sawi Madhopur Junction) by Rail

Rajasthan, episode 5

The next stop on our travels was Bharatpur bird sanctuary, reported to be one of the finest in the world. However, upon arrival, we found out that there was no water – a wetlands without water!

This part of the journey started from the ‘Birder’s Inn’ at Bharatpur with our guide giving us a motor cycle escort to the rail station. Our driver, Jaipal, followed our guide weaving in and out of the streets until we arrived at the railway station. The network of roads leading to the station was small and very windy. Bharatpur station is huge with many tracks stretching out over a vast distance.

Train access, Indian syle! If you can’t get in one side, try the other!

The Golden Temple Express arrives

A few facts… Indian railways employs over one million people and moves in excess of 6.5 million people every day – some feat!

We sat on the platform waiting for the Golden Temple Express to arrive. Our guide, still with us, was insistent we got on the right carriage and in the right seats. Whilst we were waiting, we asked our guide if the train would be on time. He reflected for a moment and said:

“The train will not come before, but always after”.

One of those wonderful statements that you do not forget. The train was an hour late.

In the carriage, on our way to Ranthambore

Arrival at Sawi Madhopur Junction and assistance with luggage

Fortunately our driver, Jaipal, drove onto Ranthambore with the majority of our luggage, so we did not have the struggle of getting on the train with all our bags. We settled in our seats and for the next two hours, experienced Indian rail travel.

Walking across the tacks to find our platform

News kiosk on the platform

Indian life is one of a 24-hour activity, wherever you are. The train and the stations form an integral part of the Indian way of life. Fascinating to watch the people coming and going and at each station, the train seemed to empty out and fill up again within a few minutes bringing a new set of faces on the move.

Memsahib, ever resourceful, handed out drinks, biscuits and fruit as we made our way to Ranthambore.

Arrival at Bharatpur train station

On arrival at Ranthambore, we were met on the station platform by our representative from Royal Expeditions, who, with driver, hurried us into the jeep and we sped off to ‘Tiger Den’ - our lodgings for the next few nights. The reason for the hurry up was that our Jeep was waiting to take us into the reserve before it got too dark. Tigers, here we come.

Memsahib and yours truly

Rajasthan, episode 4: Majestic - Magnificant the Taj Mahal