Colin Varndell was the speaker at our November coffee morning. He is a wildlife and countryside photographer of wide repute. The variety and quality of Colin’s images were amazing and a pleasure to see. Sadly, here, one can select only a few. They included two magpies whispering in the ear of a Sika stag; a tiny green tiger beetle taken using a macro lens; a majestic motionless kingfisher; two fighting greenfinches, wingtips fully splayed; a coiled adder beautifully contrasted with a mosaic of beach pebbles; the drama of Burton Bradstock beach taken early one morning in a force 8 gale.

Colin explained his four rules for successful wildlife photography: research the best and safest site, plan the background and composition, prepare the site to encourage the chosen subjects and set up the hide and tripod, finally be patient. This can be a thirteen hour wait in freezing conditions! A little bit of inspiration helps, for example suddenly shouting, “excuse me”, to a scurrying, nut-hunting squirrel to get a stunning full frontal shot.

Aspiring photographers were shown how rain and mist can enhance the depth of colour, diffuse the light and give an ethereal quality to images of woodland. Add sunlight to dew-laden mosses and magical pictures can result.

There was a fine display and sale of paintings by the Art Group. Tickets for our New Year Party are on sale. Walkers and Striders are invited to book for their Christmas Meal. Help is required to plan the outing to Bletchley Park.