WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY HIDES AND WORKSHOPS

Using paid wildlife photography hides will always divide opinion amongst photographers.

Some photographers visit them regularly or occasionally, whilst others not at all.  It's a personal preference I suppose. For me personally, I use a variety of hides.  I have a permanent wooden hide in my garden.  I have several Simon King Pop up hides and I use my car as a hide when I'm on the moors.  I've also used my car boot as a hide to photograph badgers in Rahoy, Scotland. Uncomfortable but it worked and the badgers never knew I was there.

I occasionally use paid  photographic hides, set up by professional photographers, who have a real understanding of clean backgrounds and attractive perches.  The animals which visit the hides are wild and free, such as the common Buzzard (image below) perched on a moss covered tree stump. When you're feeling at a low ebb, lacking motivation and feel your photography is going nowhere, and feel like giving up, a visit to a paid wildlife hide can be just the boost you need.  Coming away with your card full of wonderful images can really be a wonderful pick me up !

One of the most well known and highly respected wildlife photography hides in the UK is the one run by Alan in Dumfries and Galloway. In May, I booked myself on to one of the "Flash" tours. This really was full on and action packed with three full days and nights included in the price. It was excellent value. Alan is such a character and works extremely hard to ensure that his clients go away with some fantastic images.

In October, on my way back to Yorkshire from the Cairngorms, I broke up the long journey and booked myself two days and two nights at the hides: Sparrowhawk, buzzard and kingfisher during the day and badgers and owls at night. The weather in October was changeable to say the least with very high winds, but Alan was amazing and when I mentioned that I would like to catch the beautiful Autumn colors, he went foraging for copper beech and golden bracken fronds. I was delighted with the kingfisher images; the colour of the copper beech leaves contrasting beautifully with the kingfisher's brilliant plumage..

There is a Scottish Wildlife Photography hides Facebook page where photographers often post the images they have captured at the various hides, including the magnificent Golden Eagle. Plus there is lots of useful information and advice on the website: www.photographyhides.co.uk.

It's worth checking out the website for accommodation lists and other helpful tips such as what focal length of lens works best.

Well worth a visit and don't forget a good torch if you do any of the night workshops

Jed, from Essence of Light Photography runs these workshops every year together with Mandy, the Falconer at Swinton Park.

I have been attending these workshops for a number of years and enjoy every one.  The  workshops are seasonal, starting in Spring which is great for the bluebells in the woodland but I suppose my favourite one is the Autumn workshops with the glorious golden leaves.

Swinton Park Estate at Masham is a magnificient place to visit even without the Bird of Prey Workshops with a huge herd of Fallow deer roaming in the grounds. 

These workshops attract photographers of all levels and are also ideal for beginners to hone their skills and learn more about their camera.  Jed will guide you about shutter speeds, composition and the like, whilst Mandy places the birds on various perches and hides the jessies attached to the birds.

I've just bought a new camera, Canon R5 Mk2, so I'm using the workshop to practice the "pre-capture" which I hear is amazing. The birds can be static or flying and there's always a variety of birds used.  Lunch is included and the workshop could include a visit off site, maybe to a derelict barn or up on the moors when the heather is in bloom (usually the Summer workshops). I'm attending another workshop mid October and looking forward to it very much.  There are just eight attendees in each group which is just right and it's lovely to make new friends and have a chat.  Wildlife photography for me is usually solitary, out on the moors alone or sat in woodland alone, so it's a nice change to be in a group situation for once. The cost in 2026 is £120 including lunch, but book early !

When I'm out on the moorland, photographing birds such as curlew and grouse, I never leave my car. Birds don't seem to bother about a stationary vehicle, but once a human gets out of the car, the situation changes and it's very unfair to frighten them.

I have a Canon 500mm F4 lens which I sometimes add a 1.4 extender, giving me 700mm at F5.6 which still gives me the lovely bokeh I want. I lay this huge heavy lens on a a sturdy bean bag, across my car window, over which I place green army scrimming.

I have also used my car boot as a hide when I was photographing badgers outside my holiday cottage in Rahoy, Scotland. It was rather cramped and uncomfortable, but the badgers were totally unaware I was there. I had my camera on a Gitzo tripod to ensure no camera shake in low light. The tripod was in the car boot with me with all the legs extended, which didn't help with the comfort.

All the following images were taken from my car. Either the window or the boot!