Here, there, and everywhere

Due to some severe technical difficulties regarding my notebook computer, I have been unable to post content in my normal manner. To avoid any issues with layout consistency, I will keep this post simple and will update once my computer is back to normal. In summary, here is what I have been up to in the past few months and what can be expected as we approach October…

Here: Camera-trapping project commencing soon; Photography exhibition opening in October

There: International Conservation Biology Training Course in Namibia through June and into July; Outdoor First Aid course completed earlier this month

Everywhere: New conservation photography website to be launched by end of October (technology permitting!)

Sorry to keep you waiting!

Adios.

Photos of the day: CCF, Namibia

As I have a spare five minutes, I thought I would share a couple of the photos taken here at CCF, Namibia – enjoy.

Cheetah Conservation Biology Course, Namibia (June – July 2011)

I will soon be attending an international training course on Cheetah Conservation Biology, hosted by Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) at its Research and Education Centre near Otjiwarongo, Namibia. Sponsored by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation’s African Cheetah Initiative, the workshop will focus on human-cheetah conflict and address the needs identified in the regional plans regarding research and applied conservation. It is envisaged that participation in this workshop will complement university training and benefit my professional development in the field of wild cat conservation. Additionally, the CCF site has a great diversity and abundance of wildlife, so hopefully will present opportunities to photograph cheetahs, oryx and zebra, among other species.

Innovative UK camera-trapping study now published

The manuscript I prepared last year following submission of my undergraduate thesis has now been accepted, presenting the first published comparative study of the efficiency and reliability of camera-trapping and transect-sampling as techniques for surveying large mammals in the UK. Once again I would like to extend my thanks to those who assisted the study and to The Clouded Leopard Project and Penrith Lions Club for financial support.

Roberts NJ (2011) Investigation into survey techniques of large mammals: surveyor competence and camera-trapping vs. transect-sampling. Bioscience Horizons 4: 40-49.

What’s the plan for 2011?

 …I’m hoping today’s post (from the postman, and the blog [post]) will bear some reflection on what is to come in 2011.

Happy New Year!

Adios.

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick message to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Snow in Sussex

Now recovered from my sports injury, I am able to once again venture further afield with my camera. Today, I walked part of the 1066 Battle of Hastings route, photographing landscapes, plants and trees as the snow continued to fall.

Some of the images are available on the Flickr page.

Wildlife Photography Calendar 2011: on sale now

The votes from the Facebook page have been combined with considerations from Flickr, and based on the popularity of the photographs, the top 12 have been selected for use in the Wildlife Photography Calendar 2011. With photographs of birds, frogs, monkeys and more, this calendar would make a great Christmas gift for any wildlife lover, or maybe you would like to keep one to enjoy for yourself.

This product is now available from the Online Store: cafepress.co.uk/njr304

[Your] Wildlife Photography Calendar 2011: VOTE NOW

With Christmas just around the corner, time is running out to get that last minute gift. The quintessential Christmas present, the calendar, will be available from the Online Store from Monday 06 December. This year, you are able to vote for your favourite images from the photo gallery on the new Facebook page ‘NJR Wildlife Photography’. The Top 12 will be used in the Wildlife Photography Calendar 2011.

To vote, simply ‘like’ your favourite photographs, and look out for the release of the calendar next week!

Something closer to home

Much of my recently uploaded portfolio is of photographs taken in Africa or Asia; comparatively few were taken in the UK. So with the continuing snowfall across the UK, I had good reason to take photographs a little closer to home. To be precise, this latest series uploaded to Flickr were taken in my own garden. Still recovering from a sports injury, it was not feasible to select another location. Nonetheless, I found a few things to photograph, including the Christmas tree!