
Birds & Mammals of the Cairngorms (Wildlife Photography)
Tour Code: GBR53A 6-day Wildlife Photography holiday to the Cairngorms, focusing on photographing the area's charismatic birds and mammals and stunning mountain landscapes.
Some of the finest opportunities for photography in Britain are to be found in the Cairngorms and during this short break we aim to photograph several charismatic mammal species that are rare or absent south of the Scottish border, including Red Squirrel, Pine Marten and Mountain Hare. This tour will be led by award-winning photographer Robert Harvey, an expert in landscape and wildlife photography. From specialist hides we will photograph Red Squirrels, Black Grouse and woodland birds. We will also visit the RSPB’s famous wildlife reserve at Loch Garten to search for, and hopefully photograph, woodland birds such as Crested Tit in amongst the Caledonian pine forest. Moving on to Braemar and Glenshee, our target will be Red Grouse with its wonderfully colourful plumage which can (with careful exposure) look especially good photographed against a background of snow. Then, as the sun drops in the sky, we move to Loch Morlich to take landscape images of Cairngorm itself, which may well be snow-capped at this time of year, and ancient pines in the remnant Caledonian Forest.
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Good populations of moorland & alpine birds
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Use specialist photography hides & tracking on foot
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Photograph Red Squirrel, Pine Marten & Mountain Hare
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Black Grouse, Ptarmigan & Crested Tit among special birds
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Spectacular snow-capped mountain scenery
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Photograph Cairngorm itself at Loch Morlich
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Led by professional photographer Robert Harvey
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Quick Enquiry
Highlights
Kerrie Porteous
Outline Itinerary
Led by photographer Robert Harvey, this was a superb trip. Robert was very patient and I learned a lot more about photography, as well as enjoying remarkable experiences such as watching a Black Grouse lek and getting close to a mountain hare. Robert was very flexible and arranged our outings to fit in with changing weather conditions. We used special hides to see and photograph woodland birds and red squirrels, and walked through snow to see Rock Ptarmigan. We managed to see all of the creatures we'd hoped for, and the whole experience was amazing. Our accommodation at the Rowan Tree Hotel was also wonderful.
J.T. Australia
Food & Accommodation
All included in the price, except for lunch on the first day.
Comfortable hotel near Aviemore, all rooms with en-suite facilities.
Tour leaders
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Robert Harvey Tour leader
Robert Harvey
Robert Harvey is a zoologist and professional photographer. In 2010 he was awarded the Associateship of the Royal Photographic Society for his work on coastal landscapes. In 2015 he gained the Excellence award of the Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique for his portfolio of 115 wildlife and landscape images that have been accepted in international exhibitions around the world. Robert joined Naturetrek in 2016 to share his passion for the natural world with aspiring photographers. He plans trips carefully, in order to optimise lighting, time of day, seasons, tides and the positions of the sun and moon. All his tours provide opportunities to learn new photographic techniques, for example making sharp images of birds in flight, capturing mammalian behaviour, stitching panoramas, high dynamic range, focus stacking and post-processing.
Kerrie Porteous
For more information please download the detailed tour itinerary.
Please contact us on 01962 733051 for details on what extensions either pre or post tour are available for this Tour.
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Led by photographer Robert Harvey, this was a superb trip. Robert was very patient and I learned a lot more about photography, as well as enjoying remarkable experiences such as watching a Black Grouse lek and getting close to a mountain hare. Robert was very flexible and arranged our outings to fit in with changing weather conditions. We used special hides to see and photograph woodland birds and red squirrels, and walked through snow to see Rock Ptarmigan. We managed to see all of the creatures we'd hoped for, and the whole experience was amazing. Our accommodation at the Rowan Tree Hotel was also wonderful.
J.T. Australia -
Robert has a wonderful knowledge of both photography and wildlife. He was very helpful and patient on the trip and when I contacted him beforehand with questions. He arranged things so that we saw all of the major birds and animals, and I particularly liked the way he juggled the schedule to fit in with the weather.
J.S. Cambridgeshire -
The tour leader knew the requirements of the party. The itinerary was flexible and we were kept advised regarding clothing and camera equipment to take with us. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Hotel was well located and food excellent.
J.H. Essex -
Excellent hotel/ staff/ food. Never felt rushed or out of my depth. Loved it.
F.M. Kent -
This is the first photography holiday I have been on. I enjoyed the small group, individual tuition and look forward to taking part in another one next year. The accommodation was excellent, the staff fitted around our early mornings and late nights and were always interested in what we had seen and where we were going.
L.S. Oxfordshire