Well 2015 was a transitional year for me. There were fewer trips to see wildlife, but I managed to capture some very special moments that will live long in the memory. I have enjoyed my first talks, begun to set up my own safari's to India and had several interesting commissions, including documenting the birth of some very special cats. It was wonderful seeing my work in large format print for the third year running, and I have several exciting projects for 2016. Thank you all for your support. Hope you all enjoy my last blog of 2015:
At the start of the year, I was met with the good news that a Tigress I have worked with since she was a year old, had given birth to three cubs of her own. It was a great success story for Amur Tiger conservation and Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Tschuna's cubs were a handful for mum, but a pleasure to photograph.
A ray of hope for the future
In spring, three little Sumatran cubs had also been born at Chester Zoo, again providing ample opportunity for cub photography!
This little cub was always causing havoc with mum and dad.
Later in the year, a break in the weather allowed me to land on Skomer Island for a day in early June. I used the opportunity to really push my new equipment and I was very happy with the results.
A roaring puffin!
Closer to home, on a wet and windy day in late June, I managed to create some images for 21st Century Tiger's Global Tiger Day campaign.
Normally shy, the large male was out and in-form on this occasion.
The first of many talks took place at Yardley Photographic Society, and was an amazing night, with a fantastic audience.
In fall, selling my tiger prints at the Pictures of Life event in central London was another highlight. The interest people showed in tiger conservation was a great hope for the iconic species.
Below is my photo of Tschuna, which graces the entry to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. It is one of several images leading up to the car park that I have taken at the park the last few years. It has been on display since Autumn, and I hope it inspires future tiger conservationists.
Lastly, the biggest personal highlight was being commissioned to photograph the newly born Amur Leopard cubs at YWP. The cubs were a delight to work with and were 'relatively' well behaved. The resulting images were used globally to show the world that there is still a hope for the world's rarest big cat, and that there are positives in this age of poaching, habitat loss and human encroachment of many species. Enjoy the final images of these beautiful creatures below and I will see you in 2016.
Tal
