What can I say: this is my 200th wildlife feature for this amazing magazine!
It has been a privilege to write for every single issue since Dumfries & Galloway Life was launched [as DGB Life] in 2006 – and it has also been, at times challenging. It’s not just one image I need to produce for each article: some might require a dozen or more images. And then there’s the other photography work I do for the magazine, such as social pictures for the enduringly popular Out & About 200 Th Issue Special section, and feature articles. That said, I have enjoyed every minute and continue to enjoy the challenge. Of course, the wealth of wildlife and the beautiful countryside in our region make it that bit easier.
In celebration of this magazine milestone, here are some of my highlights from my time during the last 200 issues of Dumfries & Galloway Life
HOW IT STARTED
Eighteen years ago, I was approached by Hillary Scott (the launch editor of the then DGB Life), to see if I would be interested in writing some articles for a new bimonthly magazine called Dumfries & Galloway Life and the Borders, which sounded amazing. Actually, I had been asking various people for years about trying to resurrect the old Gallovidian Magazine, so obviously I jumped at the chance.
But what to start with? As red squirrels had always been a favourite species of mine, I thought writing an article on them might be a little less daunting for the first edition. Here we are 200 editions on (and squirrels are still as popular).
WILD GOOSE CHASE
Recalling and writing about some of my many wildlife escapades is always good fun. On one occasion, my colleague and fellow Countryside Ranger Elizabeth Tindal challenged me to photograph all the six main species of geese we get here in the winter, in one day. On March 3, 2008, to help promote The Wild Goose Chase event, I accepted her challenge.
I remember at one point crawling on my hands and knees along a very uncomfortable stoney beach on the shore of Loch Ryan, trying to get my first species of the day. I had with me for the day journalist Willie Johnstone, who was filming me for BBC Scotland TV.
As we edged ever closer to the birds, going very slowly so as not to disturb them, WestSound radio rang to do a live interview. Somehow we managed to do that - and all without scaring the birds - before going on to complete my challenge. It’s nice to see the Wild Goose Chase has been reinvented and is once again helping promote nature tourism in the region.
NATURE AND NURTURE
In complete contrast to wildlife, I have enjoyed taking photographs for some of the other feature articles in the magazine. I have documented the trainee gardeners the NTS School of Heritage Gardening at Threave Garden over the years, from their first day and progress with plants, to their graduation, after either one or two years of intense training.
They have been a great bunch of characters to work with, and I am quite sure they thought at times that being a model, and posing around the garden, was not what they signed up to as a gardener.
Nevertheless, they never questioned anything I asked them to do. Even the staff and full-time gardeners have been roped in… and trust me it’s never easy when you have a dozen or so individuals that you need to look into the camera, in the same direction at the same time.
TRUE COVER STORY
Having my first front cover on the July 2009 issue of this magazine was a great honour. It also sparked some interesting debate, too. I’m taking about the image above.
Despite the fact it clearly stated in my article that the owl was a trained falconer’s bird, I was accused, by some, of photoshop trickery, or that the owl wasn’t real, and that it was a stuffed owl etc. All that was, as they say: “water off a duck’s back”. But, to be honest, perhaps I shouldn’t really claim it as MY first front cover, because if I’m in the picture, then who took it? My wife Caroline of course.
Thanks to the owners of Bobby the European Eagle Owl for being so patient. And yes, he really is a real owl.
WILD ABOUT WILDLIFE
I suppose it’s wildlife I do best. I hope so anyway, so a big thank you to everyone who has helped me over the years to get some of the pictures I needed, and to our long-standing editor Andrea, who we all know and love, who has encouraged and guided me through the years, and without whom this magazine would not be what it is today. Thank you also to the people behind the scenes who make it happen, so that you can get your own copy of this iconic magazine each month.
The natural world can look a cruel place, and it is, as individual species fight for survival on a daily basis, and there will always be predators around take out the weaker individuals.
