INTRODUCTION

Hello, and welcome to my website. I am 38 years old and live in Hemel Hempstead, Herts with my wife Ruth, my daughter Georgia (7) and my son Alex (3). Consequently, I don't manage to get out and about as often as I would like (also having a full-time job), and the best I can normally manage is 1 day a week. However, I have been taking wildlife photos for about 3 years now and have the urge to share a selection with you. My intention is for the site to evolve over time into a decent sized library of good quality nature photographs.

HISTORY

I started an interest in wildlife when I moved to Theberton in Suffolk at the age of about 4. RSPB Minsmere was just around the corner and I remember being taken there and shown the local wildlife, as well as spending hours drawing pictures of birds and butterflies. I then moved back to the "city" a few years later and gradually, my hobby gave way to more "important" pastimes as is the norm for a typical teenager. Despite always having a passing interest, I didn't really get back out into the field until my late twenties, when my passion for wildlife was rekindled by Martin Parr (www.martinparrsnaturepics.com) and his wife Gill. We have since spent a lot of time birdwatching locally, as well as the odd trip to other places, particularly Norfolk, and also areas slightly further afield such as Anglesey.

EQUIPMENT

About 3 or 4 years ago I experimented with holding a camera to the eye-piece of my telescope, using it as a telephoto lens, a technique known as digiscoping. The results weren't great, but I thought they were at the time, resulting in me forking out a few quid on better equipment. I now use a Nikon Coolpix 4500 (though some photos here were taken with a Coolpix 990) with a Swarovski ATS 80 HD telescope. I expect that I will upgrade again in the future but am currently happy with the set-up I use (which is lucky because currently I have no choice !).

CONTACT

If you wish to discuss any subject related to this site, or if you wish to leave comments, then please feel free to do so by contacting me on jim@middleton3765.freeserve.co.uk.