ISSN 1757-2991

European Brown Bears fighting by Sarah Kelman ARPS The IrIs Magazine of The naTure group of The rpS issue no. 125 / Summer 2016 rpS nature group 40th anniversary Meeting. Sunday 16th october 2016.

Smethwick photographic Society Clubrooms, The old Schoolhouse, Churchbridge, oldbury, West Midlands. B69 2aS

Doors open 9.30 am for 10.00 am start.

10.00am. OpeningtheMeeting,followedby heather angel hon frpS whowilltalkabout theformationoftheNatureGroupanditsearlyyears.HeatherwastheNature Group’sfirstChairmanbackin1976,andisaformerPresidentoftheRPS.

10.30am. Bob gibbons frpS - “Wildlife of the World’s most flowery places” WildflowersandotherwildlifefromaroundtheWorld.Bobisaverysuccessful professionalphotographer,whohaswrittenandillustratedover40differentbooks.

11.30am. Comfortbreakallowingtimetoviewtheprintsondisplayandsocialisewithother members.

12.00noon. MinishowsbyvariousNGmemberstotakeusuptolunchtime.

12.45pm. Breakforlunch.Membersshouldbringtheirownlunch.Thebarwillbeopenfor Tea,Coffeeandotherdrinks.

2.15pm. David osborn frpS - “Life between the groynes” . WildlifeofthenorthandeastcoastalareasofNorfolk.DavidisaformerChairman oftheNatureGroupandiscurrentlyChairmanoftheRPSNaturalHistory DistinctionsPanel.

3.15pm. Theofficialendofthemeeting,givingchancetosocialisewithothers,andtoview theprintsondisplay.Everyoneshouldvacatethebuildingby4.00pm.

ThroughoutthedaytherewillbeprintsondisplayfrompastNatureGroupChairpersons,together withaselectionofrecentlysuccessfulA&FDistinctionpanelsbyNatureGroupmembers.

Cost: £10 per ticket. Maximum number of tickets available is 80. BooK noW!

Pleasebringyourownpackedlunch.Thebarwillbeopenfordrinksetc.

To obtain your ticket: PleasesendyourchequepayabletoRPSNatureGroupplusastamped addressedenvelopeto:RichardRevelsFRPS,73LondonRoad,Biggleswade,Beds.SG188EE ordownloadabookingformfromtheRPSwebsite.Goto: http://www.rps.org/events/2016/october/16/nature-group-40th-anniversary-meeting Contents

publication information ifC announcement of nature group ‘The Iris’ ispublishedbytheRPSNatureGroupthree 40th anniversary Meeting timesayear.Copyandpublicationdatesareasfollows: Spring Copydeadline8thDecember 2 editorial PublishedmidMarch. Summer Copydeadline30thApril PublishedearlyJuly. 3 from the Chair Winter Copydeadline31stAugust PublishedearlyNovember. 4 The Kruger national park - AllcontributionsshouldbesubmittedtotheEditor. a photographer’s paradise (pt iii) Itemscoveringanyaspectofnaturephotography byLudiLochnerARPS and/ornaturalhistoryarewelcomed,includingreviews onequipmentandrelevantbooks.TheEditorcanbe contactedat:[email protected] 11 My Journey to associateship Copyshouldbesentas.txtor.docfilesbyemailoron bySarahKelmanARPS CD.Pleasedonotsendhandwrittencopy. Digitallycapturedphotographicimagesarepreferred 13 The nature group annual exhibition 2016 butscannedtransparenciesarealsoacceptable.Images Awardwinningprintsandpdiplus (whetherverticalorhorizontal)shouldbesuppliedon CDasflattened8bitsRGBTifffiles,6”x4”at300 Listofacceptances pixelsperinch(1800x1200pixels,filesizeapprox 6.17MB).Pleasedonotsendlargerimages.Ifyour 29 plumley Lime Beds nature reserve imageisselectedforuseonthecoverofTheIrisyou willbeaskedtosupplyalargerfile. byRolandCookeARPS Nopaymentwillbemadeformaterialusedandwhilst everycarewillbetaken,neithertheEditor,theNature 30 The Saltee islands GrouporthePrinterscanacceptliabilityforanydamage byRobertThompsonFRPS thatmayoccurtophotographicmaterialsubmitted. TheviewsexpressedwithinTheIrisaresolelythoseof thecontributoranddonotnecessarilyreflecttheviews 34 nature Distinctions a&f advisory Day report oftheNatureGroupCommitteeortheEditor. 36 notice of residential field Meeting 2017 Distribution : ‘The Iris’ isforwardedtomembersusingaddresslabels 37 nature group agM 2016 producedbytheRPSMembershipDeptinBath.Any Minutesofthe40thAnnualGeneralMeeting membernotreceivingtheircopyshouldcontactthat departmentsothattheirnameappearsonalabelin held11thApril2016 thefuture.TheSecretarywillbepleasedtopostsingle copiestomemberswhohavefailedtoreceivethem. BC More Commended images from the 2016 nature group exhibition Copyright : © Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmay bereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,or transmittedinanyformorbyanymeanswithout priorpermissionofthecopyrightholder. © Photographsandarticles-individualcontributors.All othermaterialtheNatureGroupoftheRoyal PhotographicSociety. printed by PartridgesLimited 6-8BradfieldRoad,Wellingborough,NN84HB Cover shot: European Brown Bears fighting Design & layout by Sarah Kelman ARPS byDawnOsbornFRPS

The Iris - Summer 2016 1 Committee editorial

officers ThislittlecolumnisinvariablythelastthingIdowhen Chairman: richard revels frpS Biggleswade,Beds.SG188EE puttingtogetheranissueofTheIris.AsIsitatmy Tel.01767313065E-mail:[email protected] computertypingthis,Ihavejustnoticedhowsunnyit Secretary: Margaret Johnson LrpS hasbecomeoutside-it’sbeenveryovercastandrainy 53MapperleyOrchard,Arnold,Nottingham,NG58AH mostdaysthisweek.AsaresultIhavenotbeen Tel:01159265893E-mail:[email protected] doinganythinginthegardenwhichmeansthatthe Treasurer: Margery Maskell arpS Bishop'sStortford,HertfordshireCM235DW feedersgetemptiedveryquickly.Suddenlythe Email:[email protected] gardenisfullofyoungbirds-wehaveaplethoraof Vice Chairman: Kevin elsby frpS youngstarlings,blackbirdsandsparrowsnoisilyjostling Aylsham,Norfolk, Tel:01263-732839Email:[email protected] forpositiononandbeneathourseedfeeders. Alittle immediate past Chairman: Tony Bond frpS nestboxweputuponthefencewastakenoverbya Leigh,LancsWN73LJ pairofBlueTit-theboxiscompletelyhiddennowby Email:[email protected] aclimbingrose,butjudgingbythefrequencywith whichbothparentsarenowgoinginandoutIfancyit Committee Members willnotbetoomuchlongerbeforetheirbroodwill editor of The iris: Dawn osborn frpS fledge.WealsohaveCollaredDovenestinginthe Dereham,Norfolk, E-mail:[email protected] clematisgrowingonourpergolaandsomewherein exhibition Secretary: ralph Snook arpS thereareRobinandDunnocktoo.It’ssuchabusy BristolBS324EJ time-andnotjustformeetingthedemandsof E-mail:[email protected] theiryoungbutforgardenerstoo!Everythinginthe ng rep to advisory panel: David o’neill LrpS Reading,Berkshire,RG16DG gardenisgrowingatafastratetooanddespitethe Email:[email protected] timeandeffortIspendinthegardenIamafraidIwill programme Co-ordinator: Barbara Lawton frpS havelostthewarwhilepreparingthisissueofTheIris. Wolverhampton,WestMidlands,WV95QG Thisissuecontainsalltheimagesthatgained E-mail:[email protected] awardsinourrecentExhibitionandalistofallthe Webmaster: Margery Maskell arpS Bishop'sStortford,HertfordshireCM235DW acceptances.Welldoneifyouhadsomething Email:[email protected] accepted.Ifyoudidn’tenter,whynotbuyacopyof theExhibitionCD?Itcontainsalltheacceptedimages John Jones arpS andonlycosts£6thisyear.Detailsofhowtoobtain Kegworth,Derby,DE742FW Tel:01509672125 yourcopyareonpage36. Sue Mcgarrigle LrpS ThankyoutoallwhohavecontributedtoTheIris, Worcester. includingthoseofyouwhosearticlesIamholdingfor E-mail:[email protected] thenextissue,butIneedmoretofillthenextissue. geoff Trinder arpS WereyousuccessfulwithaDistinctionthisyearorare Belton,Doncaster,DN91PG Tel:01427872051 youabouttogooffanawonderfuloverseastrip soon?Shareyourexperiencesandyourimageswith ex officio Committee members yourfellowNatureGroupmembersonthepagesof PresidentoftheSociety; TheIris.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyouifyouhave Vice-PresidentoftheSociety; somethingyouwouldliketoseeinprint. DirectorGeneraloftheSociety; Hon.TreasureroftheSociety; Finally,atthetimeofwriting,(LateMayBank ChairmanoftheNatureA&FDistinctionsPanel Holiday),JamesFoadhasaskedmetomentionthat thereareacoupleofplacesavailableontheNG nature group exhibitions ResidentialWeekendatFlatfordMillFieldCentre, CDs/DVDsofNatureGroupExhibitionsareavailableforpurchase bycameraclubs/photographicsocietiesforuseintheir EastBergholt,Sussexon15th-18thJuly.Ifyou’re programme.PleasecontacttheExhibitionSecretary,details interestedcontactJamesat:01843580295oremail: above. [email protected] That’sallfrommeuntilnexttime.Enjoythe summer!

2 The Iris - Summer 2016 from the chair

Atthetimeofwritingthiseditionof‘FromtheChair’ ItwasthroughtheeffortsofHeatherAngelHon inlateMay,springhasarrivedinBedfordshireatlong FRPS,apastPresidentoftheRPS,thattheNature last.Thebirdsaresingingwellandthewildflowers Groupcameintobeingbackin1976.Heatherwill areinfullbloom.DuringthepastfewweeksIhave givetheopeningtalkaboutthestartandearlyyears beencheckingmylocalorchidcolonies,andalthough oftheNatureGroup.Wealsoplantoexhibitprints theyareratherlateinfloweringthisyear,most bypastChairsoftheNatureGroup,aswellas speciesseemtobeshowinginaveragenumbers. showingsomerecentsuccessfulA&Fpanelsby Althoughthespringflowersaredoingwell,theinsects NatureGroupmembers. areratherscarceandIhopethatthereareenough TherewillbeanAnniversarycake,whichHeather pollinatorsaroundtoproduceplentyofseedsfor willbeinvitedtocut,andthiswillbesharedbetween replacementplantsinthefuture.Mothtrappersare everyonepresent.Therewillbeplentyoftimeatthis reportingveryfewandsometimesnomothsatallin meetingtosocialiseduringthebreaks,andIhopeto theirtrapsandWildBeesarealsogenerallyinpoor meetandhaveachatwithmanyofyouonthatday. numbers.BumbleBeesareparticularlyscarceinmy Wehavetolimittheattendanceto80ticket gardencomparedtootheryears. holders.Ticketscostonly£10each,andearly Ourwildbeepopulationisvitalinpollinating bookingisadvised.Aticketapplicationformcanbe fruittreesaswellasthewildflowersandofcourse downloadedfromtheNatureGroupwebsite.Anyone commercialcrops.ManyspeciesofBeesseemtobe withoutacomputercanapplybypostingtheir indeclinenationally,whichisextremelyworrying. chequefor£10madeouttotheRPSNatureGroup, SomebutterflyspeciessuchastheHollyBlueandthe tome,pleaseencloseaSAEforyourticket. Orange-tipareingoodnumberslocally,butspecies thathibernateasadultsliketheVanessidsare environmental issues howeverinverylownumbers. DuringthepastfewyearsNatureGroupmembership Mostinsectspeciespreferacolddrywinter,as numbershavebeensteadilyrisingandreached1038 wetmildwinterscancausethemtobecomeactive inmid-May.Inonerespectitisverygoodnewsthat tooearly,andonceoutofhibernationmostspecies wehaveagrowingmembership,butofcourseitcan cannotgobackintoproperhibernationagainso alsocreateproblems. usuallydiebeforespring.Anotherproblemisthat WhenIfirststartedtakingwildlifepicturesback mildwetwinterscancausehibernatinginsectsto inthelate1960’sIseldommetotherpeopleinthe succumbtoafungusinfectionwhichwillkillthem. countrysidewithcameras.Todaymostpeoplecarry Thelackofearlyspringinsectsisveryworrying, aroundsomeformofcamera,beitontheiriPhoneor asinsectsarevitalfoodforthesurvivalofmany intheformofacompactcamera,andofcoursethey ‘higher’lifeformssuchasbirds,aswellasother wanttotakepictures.However,withsomanypeople speciesofinvertebrates.Withouttheusualspring nowvisitingthecountryside,thepressureoflarge abundanceofcaterpillarsandotherinsects,some numbersofvisitorsonsomehabitatshashadadverse speciesofbirdsmaybeunabletofindenoughfood effects,insomecasesevendestroyingwhatthey tobringuptheirbroodsofyoungsters. cametoseeandphotograph.Damagetohabitatand disturbancetowildlife,hasledtorestrictionson 40th anniversary wherewecangoandwhatwecando.Regrettably, Asyouwillbeaware,2016isthe40thanniversaryof furtherdamagetotheenvironmentanddisturbance thefoundingoftheRPSNatureGroup,andto towildlifewillresultunlessrestrictionsaremade. commemoratethismilestoneweareholdingaspecial Pleaseensurethatyouactresponsiblywhenoutin meetingatSmethwickPSclubhouseinmid-October. thecountryside. Fulldetailsarepublishedelsewhereinthisissueof TheIris.Atthisanniversaryevent,wehavetwo Thankyou. excellentmainguestspeakers,BobGibbonsFRPS andDavidOsbornFRPSwhoarebothprofessional wildlifephotographersandtourleaders.Therewill alsobeseveraltenminute‘mini’shows,presentedby otherNatureGroupphotographers.

The Iris - Summer 2016 3 The Kruger national park - a photographer’s paradise (pt iii). by Ludi Lochner

In this, the third of my four articles on the Kruger Irecommendaspeedof15-20kph-thatwillgive National Park, I will be making suggestions that, youtimetolookalong‘passages’inthevegetation from a photographer’s point of view, may contribute onbothsidesoftheroad,andtolookupintotrees to a successful safari! forinterestingbirdsor,perhaps,aleopardand allowingyoutostopintimebeforeenteringtheir about the roads comfortzone.Ifallowanceismadeforstoppages, TheKrugerhasanetworkofroads.Atarred,double youraveragespeedmaydroptoaslittleas10kph carriagewayruns,southtonorth,upthecentreof andthisfigureshouldbeusedinplanningtrips. theParkwithfurthertarredroadsconnectingittoall theParkgates.Anetworkofsecondaryun-tarred Thetarredroadsoftenhavefoundationsthatrise roadsprovidesaccesstomostpartsofthePark. abovethelevelofthesurroundingareasandthis maycauseyoutobelookingdownonyoursubject. Itisveryeasytobecomelostonthesecondaryroads Thetarredroadsarealsousedbylotsofvehicles andtotakeawrongturn,adding,perhaps,hoursto goingabouttheirbusinessinthePark.Theyarealso thejourneytime.Thefirstthingtodo,whenarriving usedbylargenumbersofvisitorswhoprefernotto atagatetothePark,istopurchaseanatlas.Iprefer travelonthesecondaryroads.Allthisboilsdownto “AGuidetotheKrugerPark”byAndyandLorraine thetarredroadsbeingbestforgettingtoandfrom Tinker.Inadditiontogoodmaps,itcontainsawealth locationsbutnotforwildlifephotography.Itisalong ofusefulinformationonrecommendeddrivesfrom thedirtroadsthatyouwillfindyoursubjectsand eachcamp,‘hotspots’,andotherinformationuseful alsofindthepeacenecessarytophotographthem. togettingthemostfromtimespentinthePark. plan your day Gooddirectionsaregivenateachjunctionandshow Therearedifferentapproachestogameviewingin thenamesanddistancesofthecampstowhichthe theKruger. roadslead.Istopateachoneandresetthetrip metersothatIknowpreciselywhereIamalonga • Secondary roads particularroad.Thisisimportant,particularlyonafter- AsanewcomertothePark,oneisconfrontedwith noondrives,whenyoushouldplantoarrivebackin amassofsecondaryroads–whichofthoseroads campshortlybeforethegatesclose.Nocturnal shouldonetakeinordertoobtainthebestphoto likelionsandleopardsbecomemoreactive opportunities?Helpisathand.Towardstheendof towardssunsetandbeingoutaslateaspossiblewill 2015,thevanderBergfamilypublished“Kruger improveyourchancesofphotographingthem.Ifyou Self-Drive-Routes,RoadsandRatings”,amustfor arriveafterthegatesclosetheremaybeapenalty! anyonenotaregularvisitortothePark.Amongst theusefulinformationprovided,routesfromevery ItakewithmeaGPS/SatNav,loadedwithmapsfor camparesuggestedandroadsareratedaccording SouthAfrica,andmakeapracticeofsettingaway- totheprobabilityofpredatorandantelope pointassoonasIarriveatthereceptionforeachof sightings,scenicbeautyandbirdingopportunities. thecamps.Thenavigatorthenshowstheexpected Istronglyrecommendthisbook. timeofarrivalbackatthecampbut,moreimportantly, enablesmetojudgethemomentatwhichtohead Thegeneralruleistohavethesunbehindyou,ieto backand,onthewayback,judgewhetherIshould travelwestinthemorningandeastintheafternoon. bespeedinguporslowingdowninordertoarriveat Generally,onealsowantstotravelsouth,whenout thecampbeforethegatesclose. photographinggame,withthesunbehindyouandto

4 The Iris - Summer 2016 haveitaheadofyouwhenyoureturntocamp duringthehotterperiodoftheday.Atthattimeof theday,inthesummermonths,thesunisoverhead andcastsdeep,unwantedshadowsandanimalstend toretiretotheshadereducingthechancesof gettinggoodphotos.

Checkthemappostedinmanycamps,eitherinthe areaofthereceptionortheshop.Coloured buttonsareprovided,eachcolourdenotinga particularspecies.Visitorsareencouragedtoplace theappropriatebuttononthemapindicating wheretheyhaveseensomethingofinterest.As animalsareconstantlyonthemove,thesemaps onlyprovideageneralindicationofareasinwhich wildlifemaybefound.

Generally,roadsalongrivercoursescrosspathsthat animalsfollowtoandfromthewaterandtherefore providegreaterviewingopportunitiesthanroads awayfromsuchareas.Thatisparticularlytruewhen therehasbeenalackofrainandwaterisnotwidely available.

Beobservant–birdsandanimalsareinclinedto congregatewherethebestfoodistobehad.If Golden-tailed youarepassingthroughanareawherethereare manybirdsand/oranimals,slowdowntoacrawl. Ontheotherhand,ifthereappearstobealackof wildlife,increaseyourspeed!Agoodindicationof thepopularityofanarea,intermsofwildlife,isthe amountofdroppingstobeseenontheroadand howrecentlytheyweredeposited!

Youshouldaimtoleavethecampwhenthegates open-thatisaroundsunrise-05.30hrsinthe summermonths!Althoughitissaidthatthisisthe besttimetoseelionsandleopards,thathasnot beenmyexperience.Ihaveseenthematalltimes ofthedaythough,onhotdays,youmayfindthem restingintheshadeor,inthecaseofaleopard,on Inquisitive Dwarf Mongooses theboughofatree. Squacco with catch Intheearlymorning,lookforbirdswarmingand dryinginthefirstraysofthesun.Morningisthe timetocatchlargerraptorssuchasthemajestic MartialorstunningBateleur.Theywillbe takingthefirstthermalsofthedayandsoaring intotheskies,hardlytobeseenagainuntildusk. Waitforthemtogothroughtheusualwing stretchingprocessbeforetakingoff. 1 • Waterholes and Dams Thesecondapproachistovisitwaterholesinthe vicinityofyourcamp.

Mostvisitorsscanthewaterhole’sperimeterandthe surroundingareabeforedecidingwhethertomove on.Aimtospendatleasttwentyminutesatawater holebeforemakingadecision.Giventime,things happen-perhapsaWaterMonitorworkingitsway throughfoliageinpursuitoffrogs;maybeasub- Black Crake mergedCrocodilewaitingtoambushunsuspecting prey.Thesephotoopportunitiesarenoticedwithtime butusuallymissedinaquickscanofawaterhole.

Takenoteofwildlife–Elephant,Buffalo,Zebra, WildebeestandAntelope-intheareaofa waterholeandwhethertheyaremovingtowardsor awayfromthewater.Asherbivoresapproachthe water,theywill,atfirst,betentativeincase predatorsarearoundbutgraduallysomewillgather thecouragetomaketheirwaydowntodrink. Otherswillfollowastheygainconfidence.Thepoint hereisthatthosesubjecttopredationspendas littletimeaspossibleatawaterhole.Notallanimals inagroupmaydrinkatthesametime.Youshould Water Monitor searching from Crabs grabyourshotsastheopportunityarises,evenifall arenotdrinkingandevenifthosedrinkingarenot Bateleur stretching wings perfectlyspreadoutalongtheedgeofthe waterhole.

Waterholesanddamstovisitinclude: •ShitihaveDam(H1-1Skukuza,allday), •TransportDam(H1-1Skukuza,pm), • MpondoDam(S102CrocodileBridge,early morning/lateafternoon), •Duke’sWaterhole(CrocodileBridgeS137,am) •NhlanganiniDam,(Letaba,H-9,pm), •Letaba(atjunctionofS46withS94,am), •SableDam(Letaba,H-9/S50,am), •Shingwedzi(S52,SEhalfoftheloop,am),and • Kloppersfontein(PundaMaria,S61,earlymorning, lateafternoon).

• river crossings TherearealargenumberofbridgesinthePark, bothraisedandlow-level.Manyofthebridges crossriverbedsthataredryformostoftheyear. Theraisedbridgesareonthetarredroadswhere theypassovermajorriversrunningthroughthe Parkandtendtobetoohighabovethesubjectto provideasuccessfulphotographunlessthesubject islargeandatadistancesuitableforalong-focal lengthlens. Itisatthelowlevelbridgesthatcrossperennial streamswherethefunistobehad!Shallowwater flowsoverthebridgeandprovidesahunting groundforwadingbirdstocatchfishandother creaturescarriedacrossthebridgeormakingtheir wayupstream.

InptII,ImentionedthebridgecrossingtheTsendze River(S142,am/pm)andtheweiracrosstheBiyamiti (S114,am).Thelowlevelbridgeacrossthe ShingwedziRiverjustoutsidethecamp(S135,am) Biyamiti crossing showing water level hasbeenrestoredfollowingdevastatingfloodsin 2014.Othersuitablelow-levelbridgesaretobe foundontheSabieRiverCrossing(H1-2,Skukuza, am/pm),SabieRiverCrossing(LowerSabie,H10, am/pm),OlifantsRiverCrossing(OlifantsS90, am/pm)MakhadziRiverCrossing(Letaba,S62, am/pm),NwanedziRiverCrossing(Letaba,S47,am), ShingwedziRiverCrossing(Shingwedzi,S52,am). TheSkukuzaandLowerSabibridgesaresubjectto heavytraffic. good practice Thereisnothingmoredisappointingthanmissinga goodphotoopportunity.Beingprepared,having patienceandanticipatingdevelopmentsareallat Low level bridge at Tsendze River theheartofsuccessfulwildlifephotography. Elderly cow Elephant at Biyamiti River Before leaving camp • Checkyourbatteriesandensureyouhavespares. • Checkthatyouhaveenoughemptymemory cardsforalongshoot-highcapacitycardsare mostsuitableforthispurpose. • Remembertocheckthecamera’ssettings-itis veryeasytooverlookre-settingthecamera afteranightdriveresultinginthefirstofthe nextmorningspicturesbeingmissedwhenyou realiseyourmistake.Makeitahabittotakea photographoneachcameraeachmorning beforeleavingcamp.

Mystandardsettingsare:evaluativemetering,ISO at400foroldercameras,800fornewercameras, autowhitebalance,continuousshooting(slower rate),apertureatf8,(oratleastonestopsmaller thanthemaximumaperture),auto-focusenabled andcontinuous(servo)focusset,singlefocuspoint withsurroundingpointsselected,lensstabilization systemsetto‘Off’.Thesesettingsareacompromise betweenwhatisrequiredforafast-movingsubject andonethatislargelystationary.Duringthefirst andlasthoursoftheday,IdoubletheISOrating.If Ianticipatefastaction,Iquicklychangetheshutter ratetothehighersetting.Knowingthepositionsof thebuttonsrequiredforexposurecompensation, movementofthefocuspoint,changingISOandfor low/highmultipleexposureswillenableyoutomake changeswhenunderpressure,withouttheneedto moveyoureyefromtheviewfinder!Finally,keep everythingreadilytohandinthevehicle.

Stabilizing the lens against movement. African Openbill searching for freshwater molluscs Therearemanydevicesavailablethatseekto provideasteadysupportforacameraandlens positionedinacarwindow.Generallyspeaking, thesedevicesfacilitatesmoothpanningbutarenot alwayssufficientlystableandwillstillallowmovement tooccur.Theyalsoslowdownchanginglenses.To mymind,thereisnothingtobeatabeanbagfilled withrice!Whyrice?Well,itcreatesabetter dampeningaffectthanpolystyreneballs,itischeap andreadilyavailableinlocalstores,plus,itwillbe welcomedbyalocalwhenyouleave!

Askyourpassengerstobestillwhenyouaretaking photographs.Ialwaysusearemoterelease,even whenrestingthelensonabeanbag.

Pied Kingfisher at Oliphants River low level crossing on returning to camp Themiddlehoursofthedaycanbeveryhotandare Crowned Lapwing bestspentinthechaletwiththeair-conditioningon! Iusethisperiodtodownloadimagesfromthe previous24hourstoalaptop.Withimagesonthe laptopandbackeduptoaportableharddrive,Iam reasonablyprotectedagainstacatastrophe.Ialso usethistimetocheckthroughtheimagestosee whatIcanlearnfromthem.Thereisatendency– Iamguiltyofit–ofusingtoolongalens,resulting inthesubjectbeingcroppedtighterthanmaybe desireable.Ifanything,erronthesideofashorter focallengththatallowsyoutheluxuryofselecting therightcroplater!Thisisalsothetimetocharge batteries,formatmemorycardsandcleandustfrom camerasandlenses.

a word of warning. Neverleaveyourlaptopinthe Egyptian Geese at Biyamiti River Crossing chalet.WhenIamoutduringtheday,thelaptop travelswithme.WhenIamhavingdinneratthe restaurant,thelaptopislockedinthebootofthecar!

Ludi first visited the Kruger in June 1956 and has been a regular visitor to the Park ever since. He is not sponsored, receives no benefit for promoting the Park or any products mentioned in these articles – he lectures and writes about the Park to share his love for it with other fellow photographers! My Journey to associateship by Sarah Kelman arpS

IfyoucouldonlytakeyourholidaysintheUKwinter, photographygraduallyfellbythewayside.Itwas wherewouldyougo?Doyouchooseawarm,sunny severalyearsbeforeIfeltIcouldaffordtotradeinmy beachorexoticfar-flungshores?Iregularlychoose trustyconventionalkitandinvestinadigitalSLR.Of thefrozenarborealforestsofnorthern,where course,myphotographicattentionsreturnedtobirds thetemperatureregularlyreaches-40Candthesnow andIwentthroughtheusualphotographicjourneyof pilesupseveralmetresthickbelowtheconifers.Asa initiallytakingdubiousquality‘recordshots’before wildlifedestination,theuntrainedobservermaythink movingontothesatisfactionofawell-composedbut thehabitatisdevoidoflife,andindeeditis nonethelessconventionalspeciesportrait.Soonsuch astonishingthatanythingcansurvivetheselong, shotsdidnotprovideenoughchallengeandIfound harshwinters,butwithalittleperseveranceagreat myselfattemptingmoretechnicalshots,watchingfor arrayofcanbeobservedandphotographedin momentsofbehaviourandinteractionandof awinterwonderlandsetting. course,havingtheadditionalpatiencetowaitforthe Ihavebeenanavidbirderallofmylifeand, perfectlight.Mylocalcameraclubalsopushedmeto morerecently,I’vealsohadtheopportunityto improvewithseveralmembersalreadyhaving stretchmyfieldskillsarmedwithmycamera.Itisstill achievedanARPSinnaturalhistory.Itwasinevitable unusualforwomentobeseentrekkingover thatmythoughtseventuallydriftedtowards inhospitableterrainwitha500mmprimeandheavy- attemptingadistinctionmyself. dutytripodovertheirshoulder,butIenjoythe MyfirstvisittoFinlandwasasmuchoutof physicalchallengeofaccessingremoteareasalmost availabilityasanythingelse.Ihadsomemidweek asmuchasthewildlifeencountersthemselves. winterdaysavailable,flightswereaffordableand Thetransitionfrombirdrecordertobirdphoto- Finnaturepromisedsomegreatencounterswithwild grapher wasapredictableone.I’downedSLR Golden.SeveralFinnishoperatorsprovide equipmentsincetheageof15buttheadventof carcassestosupplementtheirdietthroughthelong digitalandgrowingexpenseoffilmmeantthatmy wintermonthsatvarioussites.Despitethebait,these

Golden Eagle

The Iris - Summer 2016 9 hugebirdsremainwaryandgoodphotographic opportunitiesarenotguaranteed,however,onmy firstvisittoOulanka,Ihitthejackpot.Thelowwinter lightwasgoldenandanumberofbirdsdescendedin frontofourhide.Iwashookedonwhatthisicy landscapecouldoffer. Iwassoonintroducedtootheruniquebird encountersthatthefrozenarborealforestofthis northernlandhadtooffer.AlongbusridetoKuusamo tookmetoareaswithBlack-belliedDippersonthe (winter pelt) frozenbanksoftheforeststreams,andexoticspecies suchasSiberianJayandSiberianTit.Theatmosphere feeding whilstwaitingfortheperfectmomenttopressthe shutterisalmostethereal.Inwinter,theareaisunder theinfluenceoftheSiberianHighpressureweather systemresultinginlightwindsandincrediblylow temperatures.Theblanketofsnowmufflesallsounds andlyinginwaitforyourtargetspeciesismoreakinto visitingasetforHollywood’sNarniamovies. Isoonbookedareturnvisit,thistimetotarget oneofmydreamspecies–theBlackGrouseattheir lek.UnliketheirScottishbrothers,Finland’sgrouse displaywhilstthereisstilldeepsnowlying.When thisiskickedupduringthescuffles,itaddsanextra dynamicelementtotheimages.Onthisvisitwe wereveryfortunatethattheguideshadalsolocated aGreatGreyandwespenttwodaysfollowing

Red Squirrel (winter pelt)

Willow Grouse calling (winter plumage) Statement of Intent

The Fauna of Finland’s Taiga in Winter

Winter is always the most challenging season for any species, but few environments are as harsh as Finland’s taiga. The habitat consists mainly of coniferous forests and rocky swamps with fast flowing streams that drain lifting off into the fenland. In winter, temperatures regularly fall to -40ºC and the snow lies thick for months.

To the casual observer, the landscape appears empty and deserted, but with patience, the wintering species can be located and observed.

This portfolio intends to capture some of these overwintering species and their environment. The images have been obtained from many visits over several years, and after many days and nights in the field. Siberian Jays

Willow Tit

Black Grouse lek thisanimalonfootinbothheavyblizzardsand gloriousgoldensun.Manyguideswillusedead volesto‘fish’fortheseandlurethemclose. Ourencounterwasspecialthroughbeingentirely unobtrusiveandenabledustowatchtheowl huntingnaturally,itsneckbentatanimpossible angletoitsbodytolistenforvolesscurryingbelow thesnowcover. Latervisitschallengedmetotrytocapture imagesofFinland’siconicspecies.These Great Grey Owl in flight weretoprovemuchharder.Severallong,freezing nightsinwoodenshedswerespentinthehopeof on buttonoavail.Comethespring,Ijoineda grouphopingtophotographBrownBearsat Martinselkonenastheyemergefromhibernation. Thetimingwasperfect–onthefirstnightwehad severalvisitsandapairofyoungmalesobligedus byplay-fightingintheearlydawnlight.Itriedto repeattheopportunitythefollowingyearbutthe winterhadbeenharderandmynightsaloneinthe hidewereonlyrewardedwithravenswhilstthe bearsslepton. Oncebackathome,thesearchforimages suitableforapanelbegan.Iamimmenselygrateful fortheadviceofferedinitiallybymyfriendswhohave alsoachievedARPSstatus,thenfromaRPSoneto oneadvisorysessioninLondonandthenfinallyfrom variousnearbymembersofthenaturegroup.Asa resultofthis,mypanelwasfinallytweakedand acceptedfirsttime. IhaveanimmenserespectforthewayFinland’s wildlifesurvivestheirharshconditions.Nature photographyisnevereasy,buttherewardsforabit ofcoldandsufferinginthisclimatearephenomenal. Itispossibletophotographmanyofthesespecieson shortvisitstoheatedhidesinthedaytime,butthe biggestrewardsarereservedforthosewhocanwalk throughthedeepsnowsbeforedawnandstaysilent andmotionlessuntilafterdark,orevenstay overnightwithnothingbutasleepingbagandaflask calling (winter plumage) ofteaforcompany.

Black Grouse displaying Raven catching food Gold Medal Print Jokulsarlon at Midnight by Ian Wilson ARPS

The rpS nature group annual exhibition 2016

Gold Medal PDI European Roller returning to nest by David Wessely ARPS

The Iris - Summer 2016 13 Bronze Medal prints Above: BrownHairstreak byGianpieroFerrari

Opposite: Glaciercalving byDuncanLocke

Bronze Medal pDis Above: ZebraamongsttheWildebeest byAlanWalkerARPS

Below: PixieCupLichenand AngelsBonnet byDarronMatthewsARPS

14 The Iris - Summer 2016 Mountain Hare by Sarah Kelman ARPS

Large Banded Grasshopper by Gianpiero Ferrari FRPS

Mountain Hare in habitat by Gianpiero Ferrari FRPS Selectors’ Choices - prints Oyster Plant, Iceland by Ian McLean ARPS

Group of Green-winged Orchids by Richard Revels FRPS

Common Rockrose in the Pyrenees by Richard Revels FRPS Sand & Seaweed Treescape by Rosemary Wilman Hon FRPS

Three Small Red Damselflies by Darron Matthews ARPS Whiskered Tern with prey by Adrian Langdon ARPS Selectors’ Choices - Sulphur Tufts by Dawn Osborn FRPS projected Digital images

White-tailed Sea Eagle by Duncan Locke

Eyebright by Sheila Weir ARPS The nature group annual exhibition 2016 accepted prints

gold Medal IanWilsonARPS Jokulsarlonatmidnight Bronze Medals GianpieroFerrariFRPS BrownHairstreak DuncanLocke Glaciercalving Selectors’ awards GianpieroFerrariFRPS LargeBandedGrasshopper GianpieroFerrariFRPS MountainHareinHabitat SarahKelmanARPS MountainHare IanMcLeanARPS OysterPlant-Iceland RichardRevelsFRPS CommonRockroseinthePyrenees RichardRevelsFRPS GroupofGreen-wingedOrchids highly Commended KevinElsbyFRPS AutumnLady’sTresses RogerHanceFRPS Mycena crocata EddyLaneARPS Glacierwithcloud,Arctic EddyLaneARPS IcebergWave,Antarctica DuncanLocke Insideanicecave JeanManson Ivory RichardNicollARPS Bittern RichardRevelsFRPS LobsterMothLarva RichardRevelsFRPS Lady'sSlipperOrchid RalphSnookARPS SeaOtterfamily TerryWallARPS RobberFly Commended WendyEveARPS PorcelainCrab GianpieroFerrariFRPS BullfinchonfrostyTeasel RogerHanceFRPS MalePurpleEmperor SarahKelmanARPS LeopardonImpalakill DawnOsbornFRPS Silveryparentsandchick

author Title award JohnBebbingtonFRPS Green-veinedOrchidflowerhead(focusstack) Mistletoemaleflowers(focusstack) MalcolmBlackburn Annas RufousHummingbird GillCardyFRPS RedSquirrelonBracketFungus RogerClarkARPS Jaguar-Brazil SandieCoxARPS CheetahCubshoninghuntingskills LizCuttingARPS MarbledWhite RedSquirrel RoyDorkins GreySealPup KevinElsbyFRPS Black-wingedStiltwading AutumnLady’sTresses highly Commended WendyEveARPS PorcelainCrab Commended FeatherDusterWormonHorseshoeCoral TozeumaShrimp TubeDwellingAnemone

The Iris - Summer 2016 17 GianpieroFerrariFRPS BullfinchonfrostyTeasel Commended LargeBandedGrasshopper Selector’s Choice MountainHareinhabitat Selector’s Choice BrownHairstreak Bronze Medal SandDunesMorningGlory BrianFerryLRPS WaterAvens GordonFollowsARPS Black-crownedNight-Heron RedKiteCalling RichardHallLRPS Hippopotamusdispute,Serengeti RogerHanceFRPS MalePurpleEmperor Commended BeautifulDemoiselleonreedstem MarbledWhiteButterflyonOrchid Auricularia Auricula judae BurntTipOrchids Mycena crocata highly Commended AndrewStuartHayesLRPS Peregrine JohnJonesARPS Ringletspaired SarahKelmanARPS LeopardonImpalakill Commended MountainHare Selector’s Choice EuropeanBrownBears RedDeersparring EddyLaneARPS Glacierwithcloud,Arctic highly Commended IcebergWave,Antarctica highly Commended PamelaLaneARPS VoodooSpiderwithmate ZebrafamilycrossingtheMara BarbaraE.LawtonFRPS LarvaofEyedHawkmoth RedandBlackSquashBugandHairyShieldbugonseedhead Hipsof Rosa rugosa RedCampion, Silene doicia SulphurTuft, Hypholoma fasciculare DuncanLocke ArcticFox Leopardkill PolarBear WhooperSwans Glaciercalving Bronze Medal Insideanicecave highly Commended JeanManson IvoryGull highly Commended MaggieMansonARPS Gentoocolony MichaelMarshall Black-headedWeaveratnest FallowDeer Shoebillinswamp DavidMcKayARPS FightingZebras Kingfisherwithcatch IanMcLeanARPS OysterPlant-Iceland Selector’s Choice Thrift-Jura AnnMilesFRPS FightingCoot Sandandicepatterns, GillianMorganLRPS ArcticFoxinsummer ElephantSealpupsplayfighting MobbingArcticTern PolarBearapproach

18 The Iris - Summer 2016 RichardNicollARPS EmperorDragonfly HenHarrier MarshHarrier Bittern highly Commended DawnOsbornFRPS SilveryGrebeparentsandchick Commended Black-browedParentandchick Coyotehuntinginsnow MagellanicOystercatcherfeeding SrinivasanPeriathiruvadi Deer Zebras KenRasmussenARPS WoodSandpiper KayReeveFRPS BuffTipMoth FieldGrasshopper BeakedEarthstar CommonSpottedOrchid-flowerdetail ManOrchidflowerspike RichardRevelsFRPS LobsterMothLarva highly Commended CommonRockroseinthePyrenees Selector’s Choice GroupofGreen-wingedOrchids Selector’s Choice HeathSpottedOrchids Lady'sSlipperOrchid highly Commended DavidRobinsonARPS GreatSpottedWoodpeckerfeedingjuvenile Nuthatch ReddishEgret Willet MikeRoweARPS LimpkinwithMussel SnowyEgretfishing StanSaundersARPS PussMothCaterpillar RalphSnookARPS SeaOtterfamily highly Commended Wildebeestcrossing HelenaSpinks withfish White-tailedEaglewithfish NigelSymingtonLRPS WoodWhite SonjaThompsonFRPS Butterflymosaic TerryWallARPS Goldfinch Starlingsbathing RobberFly highly Commended BirdsNestOrchid LizardOrchid JohnWeirARPS YellowLoosestrife SheilaWeirARPS NurseryWebSpider IanWilsonARPS GoldenPlovercalling,Iceland Puffininflight,Iceland Whimbrelcalling,Iceland Whimbrelinflight,Iceland Fumarole,Hveravellir LavafromtheKraflafires1975-1984 Jokulsarlonatmidnight gold medal

The Iris - Summer 2016 19 The nature group annual exhibition 2016

projected images

gold Medal DavidWesselyARPS EuropeanRollerreturningtonest Bronze Medal DarronMatthewsARPS PixieCupLichenandAngelsBonnet AlanWalkerARPS ZebraamongsttheWildebeest Selectors Choice AdrianLangdonARPS WhiskeredTernwithprey DuncanLocke White-tailedSeaEagle DarronMatthewsARPS ThreeSmallRedDamselflies DawnOsbornFRPS SulphurTufts SheilaWeirARPS Eyebright RosemaryWilmanHon.FRPS Sandandseaweedtreescape highly commended DavidCantrilleFRPS GreenHermit PeterFarmer LenticularCloud,Antarctica GianpieroFerrariFRPS Bird’s-eyePrimroseinhabitat GianpieroFerrariFRPS MediterraneanBeachDaisy KeithPolwinARPS HerringGullwithMackerel JohnSimpson Ophrys flavomarginata JohnSimpson Ophrys umbilicata AlanWalkerARPS Cheetahchase Commended JohanJBothaARPS Doveescape PaulCarterLRPS Blue-eyed JaneDagnallLRPSCPAGB LeopardwithImpala StephenDitch GreyHeronpursuingGreatWhiteEgret AdrianLangdonARPS WoodSandpiper DarronMatthewsARPS MaleCommonBlueandBug HelenaSpinks RedSquirreltakingHazelnutfromhusk TerryWallARPS BeeEatercatchingbee

author Title award JonCAllansonLRPS GlobeFlowers JonAshton Puffinwithnestingmaterial Short-earedOwl Silver-studdedBluewithattendanthostBlackAnt JohnBebbingtonFRPS LargeWhiteButterflyeggs(FocusStack) LobsterMothnewly-ecdysedlarvawithexuvium MerveilleduJourMothcamouflage(FocusStack) Six-spotBurnetLarvawithParasitoidcocoons Bistortinhabitat QuakingGrassflowers JamesBlack Amanda'sBluesMating ChequeredSkippersMating Orange-tipsandEgg MalcolmBlackburn AnnasHummingbird TonyBondFRPS Waxwing FlyAgaric ShaggyScalycap

20 The Iris - Summer 2016 JohanJBothaARPS Doveescape Commended AfricanWildDogsattackingHyena CapeFoxgreeting Sandgrouseescape AntelopeCanyonsandstream OrganPipeCactusParkRainbows BobBreachBPE1* FieldGrasshopper( Chorthippus brunneus ) ParentShieldBug(AdultandFinalInstarForms) RhopalidBug( Corizus hyoscyami ) Violet-greenSwallowwithprey BillBrooksLRPS MarbledWhite DavidCantrilleFRPS CaracalJumping DalmatianPelicanwingspread MaskedFrogintherain GreenHermit highly commended PaulCarterLRPS BlueEyedCormorant Commended Chinstrapinblizzard Gentooleaping JohnChamberlinFRPS CrowpullingfeathersofWhite-tailedEagle approachingnest GrandPrismaticSpring,Yellowstone AndrewChislett CrocodileKill AndrewCMChuARPS ArcticTerns-interactionsinflight Puffincallofnatureinflight SandieCoxARPS Lappet-facedVulture ThreeagesofElephants LizCuttingARPS MaleBeardedReedling WaterVolefeeding JaneDagnallLRPSCPAGB LeopardwithImpala Commended Hippopotamus GaryDeanLRPS SeaOtterandpup StephenDitch GreyHeronpursuingGreatEgret Commended TimDowntonLRPSDPAGB BrownHare DartfordWarbler Short-earedOwl DickieDuckettFRPS BlackGrousedisplaying BlackGrousefighting KevinElsbyFRPS Red-backedwithprey LesserButterflyOrchid WendyEveARPS BroadclubCuttlefish CrescentTailBigEyes Sweetlips PeterFarmer ChinstrapPenguin Iceberg,Antarctica LenticularCloud,Antarctica highly commended MichaelFeeneyARPSAIPF EuropeanRollers GreatBlue Ospreywithcatch EricFerbracheARPS BeeOrchid

The Iris - Summer 2016 21 GianpieroFerrariFRPS AngleShadesMoth GreyPartridgedispute SmallApolloroostingonPurpleGentian Serapias lingua SpringCrocus Bird’s-eyePrimroseinhabitat highly commended MediterraneanBeachDaisy highly commended GordonFollowsARPS LimpkinwithyoungfeedingonAppleSnail JaneGreatorexARPS GentooPenguinarrivessafely RichardHallLRPS OliveBaboonsTanzania ThomasHanahoeFRPS GiraffesAgainstaSerengetiSunset RogerHanceFRPS CloudedYellowButterflies CommonWaveCaterpillars MaleStag PasqueFlowers SulphurTuftFungi AlbertHillAFIAP CrestedPigeons MargaretHockingARPS CheetahandCubsfeeding MarabouStorkandWhite-backedVulture StephenHorstedARPS SandhillCraneatSunset SandhillCraneSilhouette JohnHuntARPS Ospreywithremainsofcatch White-tailedEagles-feathersflyinspat SarahKelmanARPS GreatGreyOwl HawksbillTurtle VervetMonkey EddyLaneARPS GreySealPup,Herm Icebergremnants,Svalbard Kittiwakesshelteringblizzard,Svalbard MikeLaneFRPS Bullfinch CrownedPlover CurlewSandpiper Kingfisher PamelaLaneARPS GlacierFlow,Svalbard AdrianLangdonARPS WhiskeredTernwithprey Selectors Choice WoodSandpiper Commended RedFox WhiteIbis AndrewLeonard HummingbirdMoth PaintedLady DuncanLocke White-tailedSeaEagle Selectors Choice LionandLioness RedCrownedCranes FionaMackayARPS MarshMarigolds KenMaclennan-BrownARPS LionCubs MaggieMansonARPS SouthernElephantSeals MargeryMaskellARPS GreatEgretfeeding

22 The Iris - Summer 2016 DarronMatthewsARPS MaleCommonBlueandbug Commended ThreeSmallRedDamselflies Selectors Choice ImmatureCommonBlueDamselfly PixieCupLichenandAngelsBonnet Bronze Medal AndrewMcCarthyARPS EyedHawkmoth Kingfisher Pearl-borderedFritillary RichardMerrittFRPS Sweetlips,Squirrelfish&Snappers AnnMilesFRPS JuvenileRedGrousecalling Long-jawedSpiderandDamselfly NorthernLightsNorway ConorMolloyARPS GreyHerondryingoff Ospreysplashing MarkMoncktonARPS MarbledWhiteButterfly SmallSkipper Lady'sSlipperOrchid JohnNash Buff-TipMothsmating YellowDungFlyonHogweed SarahNewton FallowDeer RichardNicollARPS LittleEgretlanding DavidMO'NeillLRPS Greenshank DawnOsbornFRPS KingCormorantreturningtonestwithseaweed MagellanicPenguincarryinggrasstonestburrow SulphurTuft Selectors Choice MarshHelleborine GillPeacheyLRPS CardinalBeetle FemaleChalkhillBlue LionessReturningfromhuntwithElandCalf RonPerkins Raven KenPlumbARPS Spider KeithPolwinARPS BeautifulDemoiselle BottlenoseDolphinwithSalmon HerringGullwithMackerel highly commended KenRasmussenARPS SouthernPaleChantingGoshawk Mycena SPFungionPineCone JaneReesARPS CommonBlueButterflies JoshuaTrees PyreneanSaxifrage RichardRevelsFRPS AdderSnakeattacking EyedLadybirdtakingflight MottledUmberMothLarva Wasp, Polistes gollicus ,atnest BeeOrchid Fungus, Crepidotus variabilis Lichen, Cladonia fimbriata ,withfruitingbodies MikeRoweARPS SandwichTernshakingdry SandwichTernwithfish SnowyEgretharassedbyGull StanSaundersARPS RedKiteturning EarlyPurpleOrchids-Derbyshire HeartsTongueFern

The Iris - Summer 2016 23 ShelleyShipton-KnightLRPS Avocetrunning RedGrouseinrain PaulFrederickSieversARPS PyramidalOrchids JohnSimpson CrabSpider( Runcinia )withBee ForestBug MisumenaandBee Ophrys levantina Ophrys flavomarginata highly commended Ophrys umbilicata highly commended LesleySimpsonARPS BumbleBeeinflight HummingbirdHawkmothinflight Thomisus onustus pairandFly

RalphSnookARPS AlaskanFoxeatingMussels Icebergerosion HelenaSpinks RedSquirreltakingHazelnutfromhusk Commended SonjaThompsonFRPS Wolfconfrontation KenWadeLRPS Sanderlingonseashore JuliaWainwrightARPS Suslik White-tailedEagle AlanWalkerARPS BrownBearcubprotectinghisfish ZebraamongsttheWildebeest Bronze Medal Cheetahchase highly commended TerryWallARPS BeeEatercatchingbee Commended JohnWeirARPS CloudedApollo Hogweedunfurling SheilaWeirARPS Eyebright Selectors Choice BogCotton RibwortPlantain DavidWesselyARPS EuropeanBeeEaterlandingwithbee EuropeanRollersMating EuropeanRollerreturningtonest gold Medal MichaelDWhiteLRPS NorthernHawkOwl( Surnia ulula ) RosemaryWilmanHon.FRPS ImmatureHeronwithcrab Sandandseaweedtreescape Selectors Choice MammothHotSpringdetail Thermalrunoff,GrandPrismaticSpring

opposite page: highly Commended prints & pDis 1.LobsterMothLarvabyRichardRevelsFRPS 2.RobberFlybyTerryWallARPS 3. GreenHermitbyDavidCantrilleFRPS 4.HerringGullwithMackerelbyKeithPolwinARPS 5.BitternbyRichardNicollARPS 6.CheetahchasebyAlanWalkerARPS

24 The Iris - Summer 2016 2

3

1

4 highly Commended prints & pDis 5

6

The Iris - Summer 2016 25 1 2

3

4 highly Commended 5 prints & pDis 1. SeaOtterfamilybyRalphSnookARPS 2.LenticularCloud,AntarcticabyPeterFarmer 3. Glacierwithcloud,ArcticbyEddyLaneARPS 4.IvoryGullbyJeanManson 5.InsideanicecavebyDuncanLocke 6. IcebergWave,AntarcticbyEddyLaneARPS

6 123

4 highly Commended prints & pDis 1. Lady’sSlipperOrchid byRichardRevelsFRPS 2. Bird’s-eyePrimroseinhabitat byGianpierroFerrariFRPS 3. Mycenacrocata byRogerHanceFRPS 4. MediterraneanBeachDaisy byGianpieroFerrariFRPS 5. Ophrys flavomarginata & 6. Ophrys umbilicata byJohnSimpson 7. AutumnLady’sTresses byKevinElsbyFRPS

5 6 7

The Iris - Summer 2016 27 12

3 4

5 Commended prints and pDis

1. MalePurpleEmperorbyRogerHanceFRPS 2. WoodSandpiperbyAdrianLangdonARPS 3. BullfinchonfrostyTeaselbyGianpieroFerrariFRPS 4. PorcelainCrabbyWendyEveARPS 5. MaleCommonBlueandbugbyDarronMatthewsARPS 6. SilveryGrebeparentsandchickbyDawnOsbornFRPS

MoreCommendedPrintsandPDIsontheinsidebackcover

6

28 The Iris - Summer 2016 plumley Lime Beds nature reserve by roland Cooke arpS

Emerald Damselfly Comfrey

Intheearly1990sIjoinedtheRPSNatureGroupand in1996,withthesupportofthelateColinSmith FRPS,IachievedmyAssociateship. Ihavealwaysbeenfascinatedbythenatural world,especiallythediverseshapes,incrediblecolour andinteractionofspecies.Itismyintentiontodo justicetothebeautyofnaturethroughthemedium ofphotography.Ispecializeincloseuptechniques. InitiallyIusedaNikonFAwithKodachrome64untilit wasdiscontinued.ThesedaysIuseaNikonDSLRand l05or200mmmacrolenswithatripod.Iusenatural lightandareflectorwhenapplicableand,wherever possible,trytoisolatemysubjectsfromtheir backgroundusingthelowestISOratingpracticable. Overthepast30yearsIhavemaderegularvisits toPlumleyLimeBedsNatureReserve,Cheshireto photographandrecordthefloraandfauna.The reserveliesjustsouthoftheA556(Northwichby- pass)aboutonemilefromthevillageofPlumley.Grid Common Blue Butterfly RefSn08751Thesouthernboundaryofthereserveis markedbytheCheshireManchesterrailwayline. Soldier ThelimebedswereownedbyICILimitedwhoby agreementallowedCheshireWildlifeTrusttomanage theareaasanaturereserve.Thesite,classifiedasan SSSI,covers58acresandpriorto1918wasoccupied byalargeammoniasodaprocessfactory.After demolitionacomplexofhabitatsincludingwoodland andmeadowwereformedwithinthelimebedsand factorysite.Subsequentsubsidencehassince producedalargelagoon.InrecentyearsCheshire WildlifeTrusthashadnoresponsibilitytomaintainit. The Saltee islands by robert Thompson frpS

1

introduction -Irelandperhapsbetterknownforits photographs.Havingsaidthat,Wexfordhasamore remarkablelandscapesratherthanitsrichandvaried favorableclimatethantherestoftheIreland.Ithasa wildlife.Eachyear,thousandsofseabirdsmakethe lowerannualrainfallandlongerhoursofsunshine annualjourneyinSpringtobreedonmanywellknown thananyothercounty.GreatSalteeisthelargerof islandsaroundtheIrishcoast.TheSaltee’sareIreland’s thetwoislands,about1.6kminlengthandwedge- bestknownbirdislandsandoneofthemostimportant shaped.Themainlandornorthsideoftheislandhas breedingsitesinEuropeformanyseabirds.Theylie alowrockyshorelinebutrisestoaround58monits intheStGeorge’sChannel,approximately5kmoff southernsummit.Thelargeprecipitousrocky theCountyWexfordcoastinsoutheastIreland. outcropsalongtheeasternside,holdthebiggest TheIslandsoriginsdatebacksome600million concentrationofbirdsincluding,thetwogannet yearsingeologicaltimetothepre-Cambrianperiod colonies;thesmalleroneoccupiesanoffshoreislet andarecomposedmainlyofmetamorphicLewisian whilethelargestencompassesthehighercragsat Gneiss–oneoftheoldestrocksintheworld,named thesouthernend. aftertheIsleofLewisintheHebrides.Archaeological LittleSalteeisclosesttothemainlandandabout evidenceshowsthattherewereVikingsandreligious 0.8kmlong,gentlyrisingto30mwithaseriesof settlementsontheislands.Pirateswerealsopresent smallcovesmainlytowardsthesouthoftheisland. atonepoint,usingtheislandsasabasefor Erosionbytheseahasleftthelandedgessteeply smugglingandplunderingthewealthymerchant incised,makingitdifficulttogetdowntosealevelin shipsthatranthegauntletthroughthechannel.The places.Landingisdifficultasthereisnosuitable islandsalsobecameknownasthe‘graveyardofa placetodockaboatandcanonlybeattemptedin thousandships’,duetothemanyvesselsthatmet calmconditions.Transferisusuallyviazodiacand theirfateintheturbulentwaterssurroundingthem. thenapaddlefortheremainingfewyards.Theisland TheSaltee’shavebeenuninhabitedsincethe hasthelargestpopulationofbreeding 1940swhenallfarmingceasedafterthewar.There andamagnificentsighttheyarewhenyoufirstsee arenosheltersorfacilitiesofanykindontheislands them.Unfortunately,theynolongerappeartobreed andprovisionsmustbebroughtwithyoualongwith onGreatSaltee.Bothislandsareinprivateownership, appropriateclothingasweatherconditionscan althoughtheywereinitiallypurchasedbythelate changesuddenlyandfrequentlydo.Campingisalso PrinceMichaeltheFirstin1943.Followinghisdeath, prohibitedonGreatSalteeexceptbyprior theypassedtohischildren.PermissiontovisitGreat agreement.Thewindandraincanmakeitapretty SalteeisbycourtesyoftheNealefamilyand uncomfortableplacetobe–althoughextreme authorisationtolandonLittleSalteeisrequiredfrom weathercanoftenproducesomeexceptional thenewownerinadvance.

30 The Iris - Summer 2016 WhenyouexperienceGreatSalteeforthefirst time,thememoryisforeverwithyou.Ihavebeen comingtotheislandsfornearly20years,bothasa photographerrunningworkshopsandon commissioningcontractsfromtheNationalParksand WildlifeService.Thesightandsmellofover20,000 seabirdsonthecliffsaretrulybreathtakingand neverfailtostirmyemotions.Onceontheisland, youascendaseriesofbroadstonestepsandapath thattakesyoupasttheNealefamilyhouseand finallytothePrince'sthrone–alargestonestructure 2 wherePrinceMichaelwasformallycrowned.Ashort walkfromheretowardsthecliffsprovidesan excellentviewoftheMakestone–anisletwitha smallcolonyofgannetsandsomeotherbreeding seabirds.Followingthewell-definedpathwestofthe thronetakesyoutotheWherryHole,whichisoneof thebestbaysforphotographingpuffins.Thenesting burrowsinthisareaareamongpatchesofthrift, whichprovideandanattractivebackdrop.Further alongthecliffsGuillemots,,fulmarsand Kittiwake’spacktheledgeswithlittleornocapacity attimestomoveoreventurnsideways.Thenoise levelscanbeoverwhelmingattimesandonlyas duskapproachesdoesitdroptoalevelthatis tolerable.Seabirdswhichbreedonaregularbasison 3 theislandsinclude,Fulmar,ManxShearwater, NorthernGannet,GreatCormorant,Shag,Lesser 4 Black-backedGull,HerringGull,GreatBlack-backed Gull,Black-leggedKittiwake,CommonGuillemot, and,ofcourse,AtlanticPuffin.However, otherbirdshavebredontheislands,including Oystercatcher,ChoughandPeregrineFalcon. planning your trip - Theidealtimetovisitthe islandsisduringMayandJunewhenactivityisatits peak.Frommid-May,theislandisawashwithcolour, Bluebells,Campions,andThrift,provideanattractive backdroptothenestingburrowsofpuffinsandgrassy ledgesoccupiedbyFulmars.Thereareover130 speciesofwildflowerrecordedontheislands.ByJune mostoftheflowershavepassedtheirbestandthe large,vibrantflushesofpinkontheledgesfromthe Thrifthavealmostpeteredout.Brackennow dominatesalargepartoftheisland,whichintensifies towardsthehigher,southernsummit.Theledgesand rockyoutcropsalongtheeastandsouthsideshave thegreatestconcentrationsofnestingRazorbills, GuillemotsandKittiwakes.Muchofthecliffsand rockycragsallowexcellentviewsofthebirds,but generallyfromanelevatedpositionlookingdowninto thesmallbaysandcoves,partsofwhichareoftenin shadow,especiallyinearlymorning.Thereare, however,rockyareaswhereyoucangetdowntoeye level,andthesetendtobethemostproductivespots photographically.Shagsarealsofrequentalongherein smallnumbers–theytendtoliketheprotectionofthe largerockyoutcropsandoverhangs.Theyoungsters frequentlyperchonthelargerangulatedrocksandare somewhattolerantofapproachingphotographers. TheclimbtotheGannetcolonyalongthefringe ofthesouthsummitpastthenowabandoned agriculturalfieldsprovidesanimpressivevistaacross 5 theislandwithLittleSalteeclearlyvisibleinthe distance.Theorangeandyellowlichen-coveredrocks 6 of Xanthoria aureola and X. parietina formpatchesof colourinsomeofthelargerbays.Therearearound threethousandbreedingpairsofgannetsonthe island,whichare,withoutdoubt,thebiggest attractionforeveryphotographer.Warmeveninglight andtheprevailingsouthwesterlywindsaroundthe southsummitprovidetheidealconditionsforflight photography,andonecanbeeasilybecomeabsorbed intheambienceandthesightofcountlessbirds landingandtakingoff,frequentlyinalessthan gracefulfashion.Thecliffsandskyhereareawashwith Gannets–manynestingontherockygroundvirtually infrontofyou.Thereareampleopportunitiesherefor awholerangeofbehavioralimages,fromterritorial squabbles,(whichcangetnasty),toflightshotsand 7 simpleportraitsofmothersandtheiroffspring.Sitting quietlyamongtherockslookingtowardsthecolonyis arealhumblingexperienceforme,evenaftertwenty yearsofcomingtotheislands,Istillgetchokedup andconsidermyselfluckytohaveexperiencedoneof nature’sincrediblescenes. Nestingarealsoinevidencebuthaveshown amarkeddeclineinrecentyears.However,allspecies stillbreedthroughoutmostoftheisland.TheGreat Black-backedGullstendtooccupythehigherrocky outcropsonthesouthernheadlandnearthegannet colony.Thechicksarefrequentlyseenamongthe grassytussocksbetweentherocks.Themajorityof LesserBlack-backedGullsprefertonestinlandtowards

8 thecentralpartoftheisland.Althoughthevast majorityofpeoplevisittheSaltee’sprimarilyforthe seabirds,theislandsalsosupportotherformsof wildlife.Butterfliesandmothsareseenonaregular basis,includingmigrantssuchastheRedAdmiral, PaintedLadyandseveralHawk-moths.Thereisalsoa breedingpopulationofGreySeal-oneofthefew rookeriesintheeastofIreland.Theislandsarealso regardedasahotspotforanddolphins.Risso’s Dolphinisregularlyseenduringthesummermonths; CommonDolphinandHarbourPorpoisehavealso 9 beenobserved.Themarineenvironmentandfauna surroundingtheislandsareexceptionallyrichandis 10 currentlybeingconsideredforspecialprotection.

Conservation and the future -TheSalteeIslandsare recognisedinternationallyfortheirlargepopulationsof breedingseabirds.Bothislandsareofhighconservation importancearelistedinAnnexIofEUHabitats Directive,asaretwospeciesofbirdwhichareregistered ontheEUBirdsDirective.Bothislandshavebeen designatedaSpecialProtectionArea(SPA)sincethe mid-1980s.Ireland’sfirstbirdobservatorywasopened onGreatSalteein1950.Theimportanceoftheislands intermsofthespringandautumnbirdmigrationwas established,andtheobservatoryplayedasignificantrole inresearchandringingprogramsuntilitsclosurein 1963.Manyspeciesofbirdpassthroughtheislands recordinginIreland.However,itisdifficult,inthelong duringthesepeaktimes.Todate,therehavebeenover termtoaccesstheimpactthatincreasedhumantraffic twohundredspeciesrecordedsincethe1960s,which willhaveonthebirdpopulationsandthehabitat.As makesitabigattractionforornithologistsand photographers,wehaveadutyofcaretoputthe photographersfromBritainandEurope. welfareofthesubjectfirst.Theislandsareuniquein WhenIfirstvisitedtheisland,itspopularityasa manyways,anditwouldbeapityiffuturegenerations seabirdphotographydestinationwaslesswellknown weredeprivedofexperiencingnatureinsucha outsideIreland.Todaythatisnolongerthecaseand beautifulandintimateway! withanincreasingnumberofday-trippersand photographersfrommuchfurtherafieldnowcoming 1 View along the east shore of Great Saltee Island. toGreatSaltee,itsfragileecosystemisundermore 2 coming into land. pressurethaneverbefore.Thebalancebetween 3 Puffin among the thrift at the Wherry Hole. peoplewantingtoengageatamoreintimatelevel 4 Cormorant. Little Saltee. withnatureandnatureitselfneedingspacetofunction 5 Main Gannet colony Great Saltee Island. isalwaysacontentiousissue,andunfortunately, 6 Nesting space is at a premium. Frequent squabbles natureisalltoooftentheloser.Concernsinsome are common among nesting birds. quartershavebeenraisedaboutthenumberof 7 With so many birds squeezed in to small space individuals frequently find it difficult to land or fin d peoplenowvisitingGreatSaltee.Despitetheincrease their spot- other birds quickly show their disapproval. indaytimetouristsandphotographers,thereappears 8 Campions and bluebells in flower on Great Saltee, tobenoimmediatethreattothegannetsandsome with Makestone Islet in the distance. otherspecies,sincenumbershaveshownaslight,but 9 Oystercatcher - seen in small numbers usually around steadyannualincreasewiththeexceptionofpuffins. the northern part of the island near the Princes Thereis,however,ongoingresearchandmonitoring Throne. byBirdWatchIrelandandtheNationalParksand 10 Sometimes a location can work to your advantage. WildlifeService(NPWS)whichmakestheSaltee’sthe The bay behind was in deep shadow early in the mostdocumentedgroupofislandsintermsofbird morning producing an unobtrusive background.

The Iris - Summer 2016 33 nature Distinctions advisory Day

OnSaturday2ndApril2016aNatureDistinctions isDavid’ssister,ispreventedfrombeingapanel AdvisoryDaywasheldattheVillageHall,Foxton member dueto anRPSruleprohibitingtwofamily Cambridgeshire.Theeventwasjointlyorganised membersbeingonthepanelatthesametime. betweentheNatureDistinctionsPanelandtheRPS Introductionsover,DavidandRogerthen EastAngliaRegionundertheauspicesoftheRPS proceededtocommentontheprintportfoliosthat DistinctionsDepartment. membershadbroughtalongandofferedconstructive ThiswasthefirsttimeanAdvisoryDayhadbeen commentswherenecessary. organisedspecificallyforRPSmembersseeking Afterlunch,thosewhohadrequestedadviceon adviceontheirapplicationsforAssociateand theirFellowshipportfoliosreceivedprivateone-one FellowshipDistinctionsintheNaturecategory. sessionswithDavid.Duringthistime,Dawnand ThedaybeganwithanintroductionbyDavid KevintalkedabouttheirrespectiveFellowshippanels OsbornFRPS,ChairmanoftheNatureDistinctions and personalexperiencesanddiscussedhowthe Panel.Davidoutlinedtherequirements-imagequality, procedure ofassessmenthasevolvedand improved. presentation,etc.,aswellasthepitfallsthatcanbe Somerecen tsuccessfulAssociateportfolioswerethen experiencedwhenworkingtowardsadistinction. He projectedandcommentedonbyKevin. explainedhowthesystemofreferralsandresubmissions Feedbackfromthoseattendinghasbeenvery worksifafirstsubmissionfails.Itwasalsoexplained positiveanditishopedthatthiseventwillbethefirst howpanelswillbeassessedinthefutureandhowthe ofmanyAdvisoryDaysfocussingsolelyonNature. criteriaisevolving.Davidthenwentontointroduce ThanksmustgototheRPSEastAngliaRegion, theteamof‘Fellows’whowereonhandtoofferadvice IanWilsonARPS,RegionalManager,AnnMilesFRPS - RogerHanceFRPS,DeputyChairoftheNature DeputyRegionalManager,andtheirteamofhelpers, DistinctionsPanel,KevinElsbyFRPS,alsoaNature forensuringthatthedayransmoothlyandforthe DistinctionsPanelmember,andDawnOsbornFRPS. excellentadministrativesupportbothbefore,during Althoughanaccomplishedphotographer, Dawn,who andaftertheevent.

34 The Iris - Summer 2016 2

1

3

1. Roger Hance FRPS, Deputy Chair of the Nature Distinctions panel talking about one of the print portfolios brought along for advice. 2. David Osborn FRPS, Chairman of the Nature Distinctions Panel, explains the criteria for a successful nature portfolo. 3. Roger Hance and Kevin Elsby FRPS giving a print close scrutiny. 4. Dawn Osborn FRPS talks about her own experiences on her route to Fellowship. 5. Kevin Elsby FRPS shares his experiences with delegates. 6. Kevin and Dawn having a closer look at the portfolios on 4 display.

56

The Iris - Summer 2016 35 The nature group annual exhibition 2016

a CD con taining all the accepted im ages from the 2016 exh ibition will be available t o order soon online fro m the rpS Sh pric op. ed at only £6*

See the rp S website for details.

* M embers who en tered the 2016 Nature Group Annual Exhibition, will rece ive their copy o f the CD in the pos t or with their r eturned prints.

rpS nature group residential Weekend 2017 friday 2nd – Monday 5th July 2017

Based at the Cober hill hotel, Cloughton, nr Scarborough, Yorkshire Yo13 0ag

Subjects of interest: Seabirds,summerflowersandinsects. accommodation cost: £248.Nosingleroomsupplementcharge. group size: Maximumof16placesavailable. Deposit : £60tobepaidby12thNovember2016, payabletoCoberHillHotelLtd,tosecureyourplace. Balance : Payabletothehoteluponarrival. Cancellation : Participantsagreetopayaslidingscalebalanceifunableto attendunlessasubstituteisfound. Whenthecourseisfullybookedawaitinglistwillbeoperated. extras Possiblemini-bushire–estimatedcost£14eachfor2days.

Leader: LeonardShepherd Contact details: BeaconView,EllercloseRoad Leyburn,DL85EZ Tel01969622043,Email[email protected]

36 The Iris - Summer 2016 rpS nature group agM – 9th april 2016

apologies for absence Cameraandotherclubs,wherevisitingNGmembers Theapologiesofabsencewerereadoutfromalist willbewelcome.Detailsoflocalnaturephotography suppliedbyMargaretandseveralotherapologies workshopsandothermeetingsnotarrangedbythe wereaddedbymembers.ThesewereAnneMiles, NatureGroup,butwhereNGmemberswouldbe RichardNichol,TonyWharton,GianpieroFerarri, welcometoparticipate,couldalsobeincluded.An MargaretJohnson,DawnOsborn,SueMcGarrigle, ‘EquipmentforSale’sectioncouldbeincluded, ThomasHanahoe,TrevorDavenport,DuncanLocke advertisingmembers’photographicequipment.Also, andTerenceLaheny. alistofNGmemberswhowouldbewillingtogive talkstovariouslocalclubscouldbeincluded.Iam Minutes of previous agM pleasedtoreportthatDawnOsbornFRPShasshown TheseweresummarisedbytheChairmanandwere aninterestinbeingtheNewsletterEditoronceshe agreedascorrectbythemembership haspassedontheEditorshipofTheIristothenew ProposedbyJohnBebbingtonandsecondedby EditorinwaitingTerenceLaheney. BarbaraLawton OurSecretaryMargaretJohnsonLRPSwillbe handingoverthesecretary’sjobtoDuncanLocke. Chairman’s report - richard revels frpS. BothDawnandMargaretplantoworkwiththeir MyfirstyearasyourChairmanhasseenmekeptbusy successorsinthecomingmonths,toensurethe mainlywithitemsfromtheRPSatBath,answering smoothtakeoveroftheirrespectivejobs.The memberse-mails,andmakingarrangementsfor committeeisco-optingbothTerenceandDuncan variousNGeventsthattookplaceduring2015.The ontothecommittee,sothattheycanworkwith nextmajorindooreventwillbetheNatureGroup’s MargaretandDawninthecomingmonths,readyfor 40thAnniversaryMeetingtobeheldonSunday16th theirofficialtake-overoftheseessentialjobsatthe October2016.Thispromisestobeaverygoodday. nextAGM. HeatherAngelHonFRPSwillbethefirstguest TonyBondFRPS,ourimmediate-pastChairman, speakerandwillbetalkabouttheformationofthe hasdecidedtostepdownfromthecommitteedueto NatureGroupbackin1976,andtheearlyyearsofthe healthproblems.IshouldliketothankTonynotonly Group.ThetwoothermainspeakerswillbeBob forChairingtheNG,butalsoforalltheworkthathe GibbonsFRPSandDavidOsbornFRPS,withseveral hasdonefortheNGoverseveraldecades.Tonyhas otherNGmemberspresenting‘minishows’.Full beenaNGmembersinceitsformationin1976. detailsoftheeventandwheretoapplyfortickets, InlateOctober2015mygoodfriendRobert willbepublishedinthesummerissueofTheIris. HawkesworthFRPSdied.Thiscameasagreatshock SofarIhavenonewsfromtheRPSregarding tome,aslessthan24hoursbeforehisdeathIhada arevisionoftheDefinitionofNatureandWildlife telephoneconversationwithhimandhetoldmehe usedbyPSA,FIAPandtheRPSinthenature wasverymuchlookingforwardtothesummerand sectionsofphotographicexhibitions.Despitewhat attendingthe40thanniversarymeetinginthe wasreportedintheRPSJournalinJanuary2015, autumn.Robert,aformerChairmanoftheNGhas theNatureGroupCommitteewasnotconsulted doneagreatdealforthegroupovertheyears,and aboutthenewrulesintroducedin2014. willbegreatlymissed.TheNGwaswellrepresented PlansareinprogresstointroduceaNature athisfuneral. GroupNewsletterinthecomingyear.Thiswillbe Twobetterpiecesofnewsarethatmembership sentoutbye-mailtoallNatureGroupmembers. oftheNatureGroupiscontinuingtoriseandstood Therewillprobablybetwonewsletterssentout at1038earlierintheweek.Theentrytoourannual betweeneachissueofTheIris.Thenewsletterisnot exhibitionhasalsorisenafteraslightdipinnumbers intendedtobearivalto,orareplacementofTheIris, lastyear.InFebruarytheNGcommitteeagreedto butasupplementtoit,withitemssuchasreminders introduceanadditionalannualawardtoourannual ofFieldandothermeetingsperhapscontainingmore exhibition,whichwillbeknownastheTonyWharton informationaboutaneventthanspaceallowsinThe award.Thiswillbeintheformofasmallplaqueto Iris.Ifdetailsaresuppliedtotheeditorwecouldalso beawardedtotheNGmembergainingthemost publiciseNature/wildlifetalksbeingheldatlocal pointsfromacceptedimagesintheannualexhibition.

The Iris - Summer 2016 37 Itishopedthatthiswillencouragemoremembersto • Discontentfrommanymemberswasnotedand enterallsectionsoftheexhibitionaswellashigh- theresponseregardingthehandlingofthe lightingthemostsuccessfulexhibitoreachyear.I obituarywasattributedtotheeditoroftheRPS shouldliketothanktheExhibitionSecretaryRalph Journal,ratherthantheRPSitself.Richardhad Snook,theselectors,andallthoseinvolvedin contactedthecurrenteditoroftheRPSJournal helpingtostageourannualexhibition,withoutwhich regardingthisanditisnotinappropriateinan theexhibitioncouldnottakeplace.AlsoIshould obituarytonamepeopleinbytheirsurname liketothankSmethwickP.S.wholetususetheir only.ItwassuggestedthatanyobituaryinThe excellentfacilitiesfornotonlythisevent,butalsofor Journalshouldalwaysincludethefullnameof othermeetings. thedeceasedandincludealinktothewebsite IalsowanttothankalltheNGofficersand whereamoreappropriateandcomplete committeemembersfortheirworkduringthepast appreciationofthedeceasedcanbegiven.The year,andinparticularMargaretJohnsonour NatureGrouphoweverhasnoinfluenceinwhat Secretary,MargeryMaskellourtreasurer,Dawn ispublishedintheRPSJournal. Osbornwhohascontinuedtoproduceourexcellent magazine,BarbaraLawtonforarrangingField Treasurer’s report meetings,andDavidO’NeilltheNatureGroup’s 1stJanuary–31stDecember2015 representativeontheRPSAdvisoryBoard. general Comments TheBalanceSheet(seepage40) isanoverallsummaryofReceiptsandPaymentsfor FollowinghisChairman’sReport,RichardRevelstook theyear.Assomeitems'straddle'yearends,it questionsfromthefloor. cannotbeadetailedBalanceSheetforeachitem. group Cash Book Balance Financesareinalot PaulACharieraisedfourpoints/questions betterstatenow,astheBalanceSheetnowshowsan 1. HepraisedRobertHawksworthforhis excessofIncomeoverExpenditure,givingaCash contribution totheRPSandtheNatureGroup Bookbalanceof£14,213.16.Thecomparisonagainst andspokehighlyoftutorialworkshopsthat lastyear'sbalanceisslightlymisleadingthough,as Robertgave. £1610in'freegroup'subscriptionsfromlastyear PaulwasthankedbyRichard werenotpaidintotheGroup'saccountuntilApril. 2. Healsowantedtoquestionhowfrequentlythe Subscriptions Theincomeisthatcreditedmonthlyto proposede-mailbasedNewsletterwouldbe ourCashBookAccountduringthecurrentFinancial issuedandfeltitshouldnotbemorethan6 year-(SubscriptionspaidtotheRPSforDecember timesperyear. 2014throughtoNovember2015).TheLifeMembers’ A. Thiswastakenonboardfordiscussionatthe subscriptionreimbursementsarefor2014,asthe2015 nextcommitteemeeting reimbursementwillnotbepaidintotheNatureGroup 3. FieldMeetingsclashwiththeAGMweekend accountuntilsometimeinJanuary2016.Assomeof anditwasdifficultformemberstoattendboth, youmayremember,Iidentifiedaproblemwiththe especiallyiftherewastravellinginvolved. processthatidentifies'freegroup'membersattheend A. Theconcernwasunderstood,butfield of2014.TheFinancedepartmentlookedintothis,and meetingsarearrangedbyvolunteersforthe confirmedthattherewasaproblemwiththeirsoftware benefitoffellowmembersandthecommitteeis system,butitonlyseemedtohappenwhenmembers reluctanttodiscouragetheseefforts. joinedagrouponline.Theissuehasstillnotbeenfully 4. HowwastheissuewiththeNatureDefinition resolved,butitisbeingmonitorednow,andwewere resolved. nottheonlygroupaffected.Thismeantthat,inApril, A. Itwasn’tandwedonotcurrentlyhavean wewerepaidanextra£1610formissed'freegroup' opportunitytoaddresstheissue.FIAPandthe subscriptionsforlastyear,andwerepaidafurther PSAareveryinfluentialonthismatterandthere £1050inJuly,forthefirstsixmonthsofthisyear.Due ishopethatthedefinitionwillbereviewed totheaboveproblem,Ihavebeenmonitoringall again. subscriptionpaymentssinceJanuary2015,toensure thatallGroupsubscriptionshavebeencateredfor. JohnBebbingtonwasconcernedthattheobituary VaT returns DetailedVATReturnswereproduced forthelateRobertHawkesworthFRPSinThe forthefirstthreequartersof2015TheVAT JournalreflectedtheRPSattitudetowardsits refunded/paiddetailsshowthelastquarterof2014 membersandwantedtoregisterthisconcern. andthefirstthreequarterof2015.

38 The Iris - Summer 2016 The iris ThreeeditionsofTheIriswerepublished any other Business thisyear-#121,#122and#123.Thecostof BarbaraLawtonthankedallthefieldtriporganisersfor production,andparticularlypostage,continuesto alltheireffortsandaskedformorevolunteers, rise,thoughsubscriptionsandadvertshavehelpedto particularlyforFungieventsthisAutumn. offsetsomeofthecosts. events Chairman'sDaywasheldonthe24th • OnefieldtripatOswestryhadnoattendeesand October,successfullyrunbyRichardRevelsFRPS. itwasagreedthatthefieldorganisersshouldbe annual exhibition Eventhoughnumberswere encouragedtokeepalistofattendeesforfuture downthisyear,theexhibitionwasstillsuccessful. events.Pleasecontacttheleader”willbethe EarlierthisyearIgotapprovalfortheExhibitionDVD defaultmessageforallfutureevents tobeputupforsaleintheRPSShop.Thiswasdone • Margeryalsoaskedfieldorganiserstosubmitone totrytoencouragemoreoverseasmemberstohave phototobesuppliedforeachevent,whichcan accesstotheDVD,bypayingforthemonline. beusedonthewebsitetopromotetheevent. ThoughIonlyhadoneoverseassales,thisfacilityhas generatedmostofthesaletodate.Inaddition,to JamesFoadstatedthattherewerestillplaces helpRalphSnook(ExhibitionSecretary)setupan availablefortheresidentialeventatFlatfordMill, onlineexhibitionentrysystemfor2016,Igot SuffolkinJuly.Heisalsohopingtoenlistsupport authorisationfromtheFinanceManagertosetupa fromLizCuttingtohelpruntheevent. PayPalaccountfortheNatureGroup,togetherwith SonjaThompsonaskediftheannualexhibition itsownemailaddress. couldbeextendedtoincludeatravellingexhibition. general administration Thisincludesallrunningcosts Itwasagreedthatthiswouldbediscussedatthenext oftheNatureGroup[generalpostage,telephone, committeemeetingandsuggestionsfrommembers stationeryandtraveltocommitteemeetings]. included: FollowingtheTreasurersReport,MargeryMaskell • TheDIGITgrouphastwofixedvenuesfor tookquestionsfromthefloor. consideration JohnBebbingtongavethankstoMargeryand • RegionalOrganisersmayalsobeabletosupply Ralphforthenewonlineentrysystemsetupto venuesandhelpwiththeadminandcosts managetheannualexhibitionasitwasmucheasier • ROscouldforwardtheexhibitiontothenext andmorepracticalthantheprintedforms. regionandcoverthepostagecosts PaulACharieidentifiedatypointheReceipts andPaymentsaccountanditwasagreedthatthis JohnBebbingtonadvisedthathisInsect wouldbecorrectedimmediately. Photographyworkshopwouldbehislastashewould Therewasalsoaqueryraisedonwhythe besteppingdownfromarranginganysimilareventsin membershipfeesdidnotmatchthenumbers thefuture. receivingTheIris,whichwasexplainedas MargeryMaskelladvisedthatOutdoor administrativedifficultieswithcentraladmin.This Photographymagazinehadrecentlypublishedalink administrationisfurthercomplicatedbythenumber totheRPSNatureGroupcodeofconduct, offreefirstyearmemberswhothendropout. LudiLochnergavethankstoRichardRevelsand TheTreasurer’sReportwasthenagreedby theCommitteeonbehalfofthemembers. members.ProposedbyJohnBebbingtonand secondedbyStanSaunders. Date of 2017 agM ThedateofthenextAGMwasagreedas8thApril Secretary’s report 2017andthemeetingclosedat2:00pm MargaretJohnsonreportedthatthemembershipof thegroupnowstoodat1038members.Thosewho DavidO’Neill areleavingthegrouparedoingsobecausetheyare leavingtheRPSitself,mainlybecauseofcost.They havenothingbutpraisefortheNG.Iftheydohave anyissuesitisthattheywouldliketoseemorefield meetings.Theyareveryappreciativethattheyhavea letterfrommeiftheyareonthelapsedmembers’ list;inmanycases,notrenewingisduetothedirect debitnothavinggonethrough.

The Iris - Summer 2016 39 40 The Iris - Summer 2016 insect photography Workshop preston Montford field Centre 8th-12th august 2016 Tutor: John Bebbington frpS

John will be leading his popular course for the very last time this year and there are still a few vacancies.

Details can be found on the field Studies Council website at: http://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and- families/courses/2016/pm/insect-photography-workshop-59683.aspx or contact preston Montford field Centre: Tel: 0845 330 7378 fax: 01743 851066 or email: [email protected]

David osborn frpS photo-tours 2017 January 2017 - Yellowstone Winter Tour Spectacularwinterlandscapes hotspringsandgeysers plusanassortmentofwildlifeinitswinterhabitat Alltravelwithintheparkinourexclusiveprivatesnowcoach maximumgroupsize8clients March 2017 - Birds of florida SpectacularBirdsintheirbreedingplumage inavarietyofhabitats. Alltravelinair-conditionedpeoplecarriers, maximum4clientspervehicle. november 2017 - The falkland islands 4speciesofPenguin,SouthernElephantSeals,SouthernSealion, StriatedCaracara,Cobb’sWrenandahostof otherwildlifeatprimewildlifelocations. Interislandflightsincluded for a brochure contact David osborn frpS at: email: [email protected] or www.davidosbornphotography.com 1. taking Hazelnut from husk by Helena Spinks 2. Dove escape by Johan J Botha ARPS

3. pursuing Great Egret by Stephen Ditch 4. Blue-eyed Cormorant by Paul Carter LRPS

5. Bee Eater catching Bee by Terry Wall ARPS

6. Leopard with Impala by Jane Dagnall ARPS

7. Leopard on Impala kill by Sarah Kelman ARPS

Commended images from the 2016 exhibition