Conker Nature Magazine - October 2024: The Wildlife Edition

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024 ISSUE 01

BEHIND THE COVER ISLE OF MULL WITH HARRIET DAY

The breath of autumn Holidays on the Black Sea

UK NATURE AT ITS BEST

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INSIDE COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT DUFFIELD IG:@SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WB: HTTPS://SCOTTDUFFIELDPHOTOGRAPHY.PIXIESET.COM WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

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Editor-in-chief Lucy Morris Sally Marie Rosie Jones Tobias James Kararaina Bishara Darren Wynne Heather Wilkins Laura Woolley Isabelle Price Laszlo Balogh

Executive Editor Wildlife Editor Digital Editor Features Editor Photo/Sub Editor Photo Assistant Travel Editor Advertisement Director Logo Illustrator

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Conker Nature Magazine takes pride in ethical wildlife photography that prioritises the safety and welfare of wildlife and their environment. Conker Nature Magazine is committed to the correct representation of the natural world, away from the manipulation of media, and total honesty in our captioning. Photographers, please support us in providing all relevant information around the circumstance of the image and giving total clarity of where the image was taken (to include, but not just restricted to, use of bait, captivity or habituated animals).

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CONTENTS 08 ISLE OF MULL WITH HARRIET DAY INTERVIEWED WITH MIA WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY BY HARRIET DAY IG: @HARRIET_DAY_WILDPICS12

12 HOLIDAYS ON THE BLACK SEA PHOTOGRAPHER: EVGENIYA NIKOLAEVNA KORNIENKO

18 HARVEST PHOTOGRAPHER: IRINA NIKOLAEVNA ANTSYGINA IG: @_IRINANA_ANSBIGINA

24 THE BREATH OF AUTUMN PHOTOGRAPHER: IRINA GRITSENKO IG:@LADY_IRINA80

34 AUTUMN BY THE LAKE PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT DUFFIELD IG:@SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WB: HTTPS://SCOTTDUFFIELDPHOTOGRAPHY.PIXIESET.COM

44 SOUTHERN CULTURES PARK PHOTOGRAPHER: OLGA SALTYKOVA IG:@OLGAVALERIL

50 UK NATURE AT ITS BEST PHOTOGRAPHER: STEPHEN KENT IG: @KENTSTEPPHOTOGRAPHY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KENTSTEPPHOTOGRAPHY WB: HTTPS://KENTSTEPAMATEURPHO.WIXSITE.COM/ KENTSTEPPHOTOGRAPHY

54 THE BEAUTY OF THE ZOO PHOTOGRAPHER: SOFYA TRUSOVA IG: @_DANCINGGHOST

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

October 2024

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Editor’s Letter

October 2024

Lucy Morris Editor-in-chief Welcome to the Conker Nature October Issue - it’s great for you to join us for the full swing of the autumn season!

As we move deeper into autumn, October brings a spectacular display of nature’s beauty and the fascinating behaviors of wildlife preparing for winter. The British countryside is ablaze with vibrant hues, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the season’s natural events.

In our woodlands, the deer rut reaches its peak. The sound of stags bellowing echoes through the forests as they compete for mates. It’s a primal and awe-inspiring spectacle, but remember to observe from a safe distance. This is also the perfect time to witness the full glory of autumn colors, with oak, beech, and maple trees putting on a dazzling show.

October sees the arrival of more winter migrants. Look out for redwings and fieldfares feasting on berry-laden hedgerows. In wetland areas, you might spot large flocks of pink-footed geese, newly arrived from their Arctic breeding grounds. Meanwhile, our summer visitors like swallows and house martins make their final departures.

As temperatures drop, many animals are busy preparing for the lean months ahead. Hedgehogs are particularly active, foraging for food to build up their fat reserves before hibernation. In gardens and parks, you might see grey squirrels frantically burying acorns and nuts, creating caches for winter sustenance.

The insect world is winding down, but on sunny days, you can still see some butterflies like red admirals and commas feeding on ivy flowers or rotting fruit. This is also a great time to appreciate the intricate beauty of spider webs, often bejeweled with morning dew.

October offers a wealth of wildlife experiences. Whether it’s watching migrating birds, listening for rutting deer, or simply appreciating the turning leaves, I encourage you all to wrap up warm and immerse yourselves in the natural wonders this month has to offer. Happy autumn exploring!

Next month, we invite you to join us for our final month of the autumn season. As November approaches, we’ll explore the subtle yet profound changes that mark the transition from autumn’s vibrant display to the quieter preparations for winter. See you there!

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRINA GRITSENKO IG: @LADY_IRINA80

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“Personally I have always loved taking photographs of wildlife and what inspired me in wildlife photography was seeing something for the first time and explaining it to somebody.” - Harriet Day

Behind The Cover: Isle of Mull with Harriet Day

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INTERVIEWED BY MIA WALLACE WORDS AND OTTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY HARRIET DAY IG: @HARRIET_DAY_WILDPICS12 elcome Harriet, and congratulations on making the front cover for this month’s Conker Nature Magazine, the October issue.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. It’s lovely to have you here.

CN: This cover photo captures a charming otter peeking out of the water. Can you tell us about the moment you took this shot?

HD: The moment I captured the image was extremely breathtaking.

Since being a young girl, I have always wanted to see an otter in the wild! Unfortunately, they are not as common in the UK due to their decline, so I decided to take a trip to the Isle of Mull, where a friend once told me is the best place to see them and visit their habitats.

I now understand why! My 600-mile trip to the Isle of Mull was well worth it for this moment. I was hunkered down in the sea kelp, watching this otter fish until the very moment he scurried across the rocky beach to eat his breakfast. After finishing his meal, he then decided to sprint to one of his favorite rocks to mark his territory.

In this very moment, he glanced up, looking at my lens, undisturbed, while I seized the opportunity for this shot at first light.

CN: Otters are known for being elusive creatures. How did you manage to get so close for this intimate portrait, or did you use a telephoto lens?

HD: Otters are very elusive creatures and can be easily disturbed. It’s important that once you stumble upon them, you respect their habitat and ensure you do not disturb them. The key to doing this is making sure you wear camouflage clothing so that you don’t stand out too much and that you certainly don’t make your presence known. When approaching an otter that is in the water, the minute that otter goes under, they can stay down for up to two minutes. So you’ll know you have at least a minute to get yourself into a comfortable position, camouflaged near the rocks. This way, when the otter brings its last catch to shore before going for a nap, you’ve got every chance of being close and personal, and embracing the moment!

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That downpour of a morning, I headed to the beach at first light wearing camouflage.

Crouching down on the sea kelp, remaining very still and quiet, I took my 150 to 600 mm Sigma lens and eventually let the otter come to me. He paddled out of the water, crunching his prey. He then sat proudly upon the rock, peering at me. I just froze to see what he would do next, and after that moment when he knew he wasn’t at any harm, he came closer to me. At this point, I put my camera down and just enjoyed every minute of watching these elusive mustelids shaking off the water, trying to dry out on the kelp that concealed them.

CN: The lighting in this image is beautiful, giving the otter an almost ethereal glow. Was this a planned effect or a lucky moment?

HD: The night before I went to see the otters, I did a bit of research on the tide times, learning that the best time to see an otter is three hours on either side of low tide. This meant visiting the Loch at 4 am in order to see the otters fishing at first light. I also liked the idea of going at first light because I’d be unseen and avoid people, who run the risk of disturbing them.

I made certain my shutter speed was reduced to 1/800 and my ISO was left flexible at 1200, allowing a slight bit of light to enter the photo. The sun came up and the otter came out. The light shining through the damp fur was extraordinary and well worth an early morning visit, even against the cloud of impulsive rain. While the mammal remained still, I was able to lower my shutter speed to 1/500, lowering my ISO to get as much natural light into the shot as possible.

CN: What equipment did you use to capture this image, considering you were working near water. Were there any additional considerations you have to take?

HD: Prior to photographing the otters, a lot of thought and planning went into the process, considering the habitat and the rain, as well as how wet and slippery the sea kelp was. The last thing I wanted was to damage my camera and lens, so I decided to use a waterproof cover that wraps my camera and lens inside tightly. I intensely waited for the otter to come out of the water before slipping the cover back to allow focusing. I definitely wore waterproofs that day, as the weather is so unpredictable in Scotland. I would recommend to any photographer to always carry a waterproof cover for your camera, especially when working near water.

CN: Otters are semi-aquatic mammals. Can you share any interesting behaviors or adaptations you observed while photographing them?

HD: That very morning of sitting and waiting for otter action was overall four hours of watching and learning more and more about these unpredictable mammals. Diving under the water catching butterfish, hurling his head back to eat it in the water while fighting against the current. He would continue to fish until eventually he caught one big enough to satisfy him. Locking onto his fish, proudly sculling it back to the beach to ingest. You could hear the crunch of its teeth after eating the fish. He would give himself a little shake, shaking off all the water on his fur and began to walk towards his favorite rocks, leaving his spraint for the other females and males to warn them of his territory!

After all that hard work, he took himself off to his holt to have an afternoon nap.

CN: This photo seems to capture the otter’s personality. What do you think this image conveys about these animals, as the photographer?

HD: As the photographer, I feel this image captures what the otter’s personality genuinely is, portraying the cheekiness and boisterous expression in the otter’s features. The way it confidently leaped over the rock, it almost seemed as though he was smiling at the camera.

CN: Where was this photograph taken? Can you tell us a bit about the habitat and why it’s important for otters?

HD: This photograph was taken on one of the lochs on the Isle of Mull, where the habitat is rich for otters—perfect for crustaceans and fish, which are what the otter needs as part of its diet. This loch contained a family of three, and later that morning I saw two adults with their kits playing on the beach. This involved twisting, turning, biting, and running off into the water where they were teaching them how to fish alongside the beautiful scenery. The habitat was perfect and remained undisturbed. It’s astonishing how well they blend into the sea kelp once they have dried out, becoming completely camouflaged. At one point, I had one sitting right in front of me for over 10 minutes and could hardly see it.

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CN: As a nature photographer, what challenges (if any) did you face while trying to photograph otters in their natural environment?

HD: Otters are tricky subjects to photograph. They are extremely difficult to locate, hard to approach without causing disturbance, and can disappear as quickly as they appear. It’s important when approaching to keep in mind that these are wild mammals, and this is their day-to-day life where they hunt in this loch to find their food. If disturbed repeatedly, you run the risk of the otters abandoning their feeding territory. So it is important that you, as a person, prevent this by respecting nature. Sometimes it’s also wise for an amateur photographer to put the camera’s ISO on auto. One of the reasons I say this is due to how rapidly the lighting changes and how fast the otter can swim in the water.

CN: This image is clearly captivating. What do you hope viewers will take away from seeing this otter on the cover of Conker Nature magazine? and why was capturing a shot of an otter so important for you to achieve?

HD: Personally, I have always loved taking photographs of wildlife, and what inspired me in wildlife photography was seeing something for the first time and explaining it to somebody. It doesn’t always sound as good as what you’ve seen in person, so being able to take a picture to freeze and capture that moment in that split second—to show someone exactly what you observed through your own eyes—for me is very special. My passion drove me to always be in competition with myself, setting myself challenges to see elusive wildlife that is suddenly declining every day. This is one of the reasons why I desired to photograph an otter in the wild; this was so important, challenging on my list to achieve. Besides giving people inspiration to want to go out exploring and do that themselves, knowing it’s possible through people like me explaining my experience. For me, this was one of those shots that was more than just about getting the shot; it was about experiencing it and being able to seize that moment, to take home with me. Connecting with this beautiful mustelid that, when you first spot it, gives you a feeling of pure exhilaration—otters stir something up inside of me, back to the time when I was a child and always wanted to see one.

Waiting patiently for that epic experience, now 20 years later, I finally achieved it!

CN: Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring wildlife photographers who might want to capture images of elusive animals like otters?

HD: My best advice would be to never give up and remain respectful to the wildlife—they must come first! Sit quietly and patiently, letting them come to you, and remember it’s not always about getting the shot. You want to embrace the experience, so be sure to think of the main reason that inspired you to be sat there in the first place. Once doing so, you’ll probably find that you put your camera down, simply enjoying the moment.

CN: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Harriet. We are sure the readers of Conker Nature Magazine will love learning about your journey as a photographer and the story behind the cover.

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Holidays on the Black Sea PHOTOGRAPHER: EVGENIYA NIKOLAEVNA KORNIENKO

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Harvest PHOTOGRAPHER: IRINA NIKOLAEVNA ANTSYGINA IG: @_IRINANA_ANSBIGINA

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The breath of autumn PHOTOGRAPHER: IRINA GRITSENKO IG:@LADY_IRINA80

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Autumn by the lake PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT DUFFIELD IG:@SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WB: HTTPS://SCOTTDUFFIELDPHOTOGRAPHY.PIXIESET.COM

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Southern Cultures Park PHOTOGRAPHER: OLGA SALTYKOVA IG:@OLGAVALERIL

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50 | WWW.SWANKYMEDIAGROUP.COM PHOTOGRAPHER: STEPHEN KENT IG: @KENTSTEPPHOTOGRAPHY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KENTSTEPPHOTOGRAPHY WB: HTTPS://KENTSTEPAMATEURPHO.WIXSITE.COM/KENTSTEPPHOTOGRAPHY

UK NATURE AT ITS BEST

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The beauty of the zoo PHOTOGRAPHER: SOFYA TRUSOVA IG: @_DANCINGGHOST

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Photographer: Photographer: Stephen Stephen Kent Kent IG: IG: @kentstepphotography @kentstepphotography www.facebook.com/kentstepphotography www.facebook.com/kentstepphotography WB: WB: https:/ https://kentstepamateurpho.wixsite.com/kentstepphotography /kentstepamateurpho.wixsite.com/kentstepphotography

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