Galloway - 12.10.19
Tonights I've arranged a session in one of Alan Mcfadyen's Pine Martin hides, a first for me never having seen this generally scares nocturnal mustelid, so with some anticipation I'm looking forward to getting images only possible north of the boarder.
With only about forty five minuets of daylight remaining I have to drive around ten miles and be in the hide before it gets dark, time to crack on. Now in the hide and the camera set up it's a waiting game, I'm told the animal usually appears around 8.0am so with some time to spare a good opportunity to check out some of the camera settings before the action begins.
The set comprising a small platform in front of the hide dressed with some rocks lit with several LED's, to the right a ramp to the ground disappears off into the darkness of the pine forest which is blacker than black. It's a bit eerie sat in the darkness with the wind blowing through the trees and the odd calling Tawny Owl for company, an hour as passed and it's started raining....surely not much longer to wait !
All eyes are focused on the ramp to the right of the set the direction the Pine Martin is expected to appear...wrong, all of a sudden from the left out of the darkness the Martin jumps up like a spring onto the set. Not wanting to spook the animal it's single shot silent mode only and the action begins, I think the animal is aware of our presence probably as it can hear the camera shutter occasionally disappearing to the safety of the forest only to return as it can't resist the free offerings. The action doesn't last long the Pine Martin finally disappears permanently into the darkness not returning for the remainder of our visit.
With the rain now having stopped and local food outlets closing shortly it's a good point to call time. It's been a very interesting session and I continue to learn shooting with LED's. If you get the chance book a session in one of Alan's hide you won't regret it.
With only about forty five minuets of daylight remaining I have to drive around ten miles and be in the hide before it gets dark, time to crack on. Now in the hide and the camera set up it's a waiting game, I'm told the animal usually appears around 8.0am so with some time to spare a good opportunity to check out some of the camera settings before the action begins.
The set comprising a small platform in front of the hide dressed with some rocks lit with several LED's, to the right a ramp to the ground disappears off into the darkness of the pine forest which is blacker than black. It's a bit eerie sat in the darkness with the wind blowing through the trees and the odd calling Tawny Owl for company, an hour as passed and it's started raining....surely not much longer to wait !
All eyes are focused on the ramp to the right of the set the direction the Pine Martin is expected to appear...wrong, all of a sudden from the left out of the darkness the Martin jumps up like a spring onto the set. Not wanting to spook the animal it's single shot silent mode only and the action begins, I think the animal is aware of our presence probably as it can hear the camera shutter occasionally disappearing to the safety of the forest only to return as it can't resist the free offerings. The action doesn't last long the Pine Martin finally disappears permanently into the darkness not returning for the remainder of our visit.
With the rain now having stopped and local food outlets closing shortly it's a good point to call time. It's been a very interesting session and I continue to learn shooting with LED's. If you get the chance book a session in one of Alan's hide you won't regret it.
Pine Martin
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