Vancouver Island, Canada, 19th-28th September 2011.

Enjoyed the "Bear Boat Trip" there were many companies offering the Boat trips, but after we decided to go on a second trip, because we liked the boat and guide - Michael I believe his name was, (the shop for booking was on the road next to the coast) we went back and did the same tour again, I think on this trip we saw even more bears, although the Eagles were hiding (which is unusual) although there were one or two right at the end, but it was nearly dark then!

When the sun shone, near the end of the trip, we realised the cloud was hiding a huge mountain that almost put the whole town in shadow! Everywhere in this part of Canada was scenic.

Vancouver Island, Canada, 19th-28th September 2011.

This trip was to see/ photograph Bald Eagles and Bears. Flying into Vancouver itself and then the long coach (including ferry journey) to Tofino, Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, Vancouver Island being temperate rain forest is one of the wettest places on earth! Maybe not ideal for a photography trip. It rained on the Tuesday night, just before we got to Tofino and the sun didn't show itself until Sunday morning. Even in the rain, it was a scenic place, so each morning involved putting waterproof coat and trousers to leave the accommodation.

On the second day in Tofino walking along the main street to town noticed an unusual shape at the top of a tree, which turned out to be a soggy Bald Eagle, didn't have to go very far!

This was to be the best Eagle view of the trip, later on that day went on the "Bear boat trip" took a bit of searching through the river outlets surrounded by mountains, but at low tide the Black Bears go onto the little bit of exposed shore to turn rocks over looking for crabs. Saw quite a few Seal too.

Peregrine, late July and Buzzard early September 2011.

Visited Durlston Head with the hope of photographing Peregrine's, this was my last stop of the day, not long till I heard the familiar Peregrine screech and an adult flew passed, the young Peregrines hung around for a while.

A few weeks later one sunny Sunday in early September I did a drive round looking for local Buzzards to photograph, these were photographed along a small lane near Furze Hill, Ringwood.

Isle of Mull June 23rd-30th June 2011.

A couple more shots from the Mull Charters eagle boat trip on Loch Na Keal, I found myself a few days into my trip wondering how on earth I could top what I had already done and experienced! Went onto a "spotting" tour of the wildlife of the Isle, did get quite close views of an otter, although the light could have been better for photography and on a different day a Common Sandpiper near the village of Salen.

Another amazing trip, the spectacular Sea Eagle from a fishing boat and the Isle of Mull itself has also got to be one of the most breathtakingly scenic places in the world.

Isle of Mull June 23rd-30th June 2011.

I must admit, the first time the Eagle swooped down and collected the fish from the top of the water, it was so fast - I mist it! Luckily, more than one fish was thrown and I was to get another opportunity, I'm not sure how much skill was involved in capturing the shots, but what an awesome experience!

Isle of Mull June 23rd-30th June 2011.

Not sure how many people begin their holiday plans by typing "best place to photograph White Tailed eagle" into google search. The choice was a fishing boat on the Isle of Skye, a bigger boat in Norway or another fishing boat on the Isle of Mull, I think it was the little You Tube clip on the Isle of Mull website that did it. On the first day on the Isle of Mull we pretty much drove the whole of the island, probably missing some of the best places. The next day was the Mull Charters boat trip up Loch Na Keal, the day was a bit over cast and windy, the Eagle when it did come did a few circles of the boat first before deciding wether or not to dive down and pick up the fish off the top of the water that was thrown from the boat...

Urban Peregrine Early June 2011.

Been to many different places to photograph Raptors, but Bournemouth town centre is a new one for the list, soon every town will have its own Peregrines.