Hello
Thanks for visiting. This is my first blog so will proceed slowly!
2015 Update
Kanha and Ranthambhore April 2014
Just returned from another visit to India. Kanha and Ranthambhore tiger reserve featured heavily on this trip.
Our original plan was to stay at Kanha. However due to tiger cub sightings at Ranthambhore prompted us to move there. On reflection not so sure if it was the right decision. Unfortunately due to some selfish tourist overcrowding the main zone 3 of the reserve was closed. Denying us the opera unity to see T19 and cubs. However some reasonable sightings and images were recorded. Namely T28, Star Male, T24 Ustad, adult cub Sultan and the old lady Machali, who is sadly coming to the end of her days.
My next photographic trip is now in June 2014. A return to Hungary for the wonderful bird species there.
2014 A New Year Begins!
Here we are in 2014. My update is a little behind as it is now February!
An amazing 2013 Concluded with a great trip to Iceland, in December. Unfortunately we did not see the star attraction - The Northern Lights. Never the less a great trip, with friends Michael Vickers and Tony Rees.
God willing 2014 should prove to be another great adventure. It started in January with a trip to Scotland, to photograph the Red Squirrel. Despite unfavourable light conditions we managed to capture some lovely images of them leaping. Fellow travellers, Roger & Mary Toon, Jill Baxter and Jeff Thomas shared the cosy bungalow at the Northshots centre, Nr Avimore.
On the 15th February I again head off to India, with my great friend Michael (Tiger) Vickers. The three week adventure will take us to Delhi. From there to Bhratpur, known as "Bird City". Heading back to Delhi, we catch our internal flight to Calcutta to explore the vast mango swamps of the Sundarbans. We are praying to catch a glimpse of the elusive "Swamp Tiger". However there are many other species to look out for, including King Crocodiles, Rhinos, River Dolphins and numerous birds.
A further internal flight takes us to Kaziranga National Park. The park is the host for two third of world’s population on one horned rhinos and also holds the highest density of Tigers among all the protected areas in the world. This park also is a domicile for large breeding inhabitants of Elephant, wild water buffaloes and swamp deer. Declared as Important Bird Area by Birdlife International this national park is a home for great variety of inhabitant and migrating birds. Located on the banks of river Brahmaputra, the sanctuary enjoys tropical vegetation and is marked by elephant grass, marshy lowlands and tropical moist broadleaf forests. The beautiful flora and diverse fauna adds to the scenic beauty of the park. We have several elephant safaris and a jungle trip to a Gibbon sanctuary.
In May my wife, Jutta, are visiting Andalusia, a beautiful part of Spain. June I head off to a repeat visit to Hungary, again, with Mike Vickers. On my return must take a trip or two to visit the Puffins on Skomer Island. Then July/August we shall be off to visit my daughter in Canada! Oh and it is my 70th birthday in August.
Looking on to 2015 the first trip is booked. Norway for Golden and White Tailed Sea Eagles etc. Wow.
September is Upon Us!
What a whirlwind of a year so far. Here we are in September, where does the time go. My fantastic trip to India seems an age ago but the sights and sounds of my amazing trip is etched deep in the memory banks.
India awaits again in 2014. A 20 day trip planned, visiting Bird City ay Bharatpur then onto the Sundarban, in the Bay of Bengal.
Back to this year. Visits to North Wales, and Dorset added some interesting images to my galleries. A couple of days visiting my friend Allen Lloyd, in Monmouthshire proved very productive. Another visit to London is always interesting. Then there was a three night stay on Skokholm to photograph those enchanting Puffins!
Two 1940 themed weekends at The Black Country Museum and The Severn Railway were great fun.
This month off the Krakow, Poland visiting Auschwitz and the City. October we are off to North Devon to Celebrate Jutta, my wife, birthday.
A couple of days arranged photographing Raptors before a planned trip to Iceland in December for Landscapes and hopefully the Northern Lights.
On top of this my roll of Chairman of Tenby & District Camera Club kicks off with the new 2013/2014 program. All in all a busy time.
Another major change for me this year – changed my equipment from Nikon to Canon.
What a whirlwind of a year so far. Here we are in September, where does the time go. My fantastic trip to India seems an age ago but the sights and sounds of my amazing trip is etched deep in the memory banks.
India awaits again in 2014. A 20 day trip planned, visiting Bird City ay Bharatpur then onto the Sundarban, in the Bay of Bengal.
Back to this year. Visits to North Wales, and Dorset added some interesting images to my galleries. A couple of days visiting my friend Allen Lloyd, in Monmouthshire proved very productive. Another visit to London is always interesting. Then there was a three night stay on Skokholm to photograph those enchanting Puffins!
Two 1940 themed weekends at The Black Country Museum and The Severn Railway were great fun.
This month off the Krakow, Poland visiting Auschwitz and the City. October we are off to North Devon to Celebrate Jutta, my wife, birthday.
A couple of days arranged photographing Raptors before a planned trip to Iceland in December for Landscapes and hopefully the Northern Lights.
On top of this my roll of Chairman of Tenby & District Camera Club kicks off with the new 2013/2014 program. All in all a busy time.
Another major change for me this year – changed my equipment from Nikon to Canon.
Reflections
As I advance in years my vision of life changes. What was desperately important to me in earlier years is now less so. Sure I appreciate the good things in life but striving for material possessions becomes less of a motivator!
We live on a fantastic and diverse planet. Despite wars, conflict, famine and poverty and greed, mainly the creation of mankind. There are still many beautiful and wondrous experiences on offer by nature. Capturing a tiny element of these through my camera lens has now become a passion.
I have meet some wonderful and kind people through my photography. This is one of the reasons I do workshops. To share some of my experiences and knowledge with like minded people.
Having spent most of my life working in industry and raising a family,a life changing event some years ago, prompted me to take a different view on life. This change in direction enabled me to concentrate on my desire to create imagery again. I was fortunate enough to be able to set up a small company producing video presentations for charitable trusts and the like.
Having now retired, if there is such a thing, I concentrate on my stills photography. Mainly wildlife. I believe I am an accomplished AdobePhotoshop and Lightroom user. My role as Chairman for our local Camera Club keep"s me very active.
I do so hope if you decide to join me on the workshops you to will develop a passion, not only of photography but of what nature has to offer.
What we have subjected nature to in just a few decades is horrendous. However I am firmly convinced she will triumph in the end.
I look forward to meeting you.
Kind regards
Royston Packer