• Location: Inverness-shire
• Dates: March-November
• Participants: 1-3
• Duration: Until activity ceases  (squirrels only active in the mornings in winter/spring)
• Start Time: 8.30-9am depending on light level.
• Cost: from £120
• Objectives: Learn how to photograph red squirrels &  find out about their behaviours
• Experience: An understanding of your camera will help but not essential
• Equipment: Bridge, DSLR or mirrorless with focal length at least 300mm
• Fitness level: Moderate.

For more information please visit: https://www.karenmillerphotography.co.uk/Red-Squirrel-Workshop

Red squirrels are undoubtedly one of the most joyful creatures to watch as they bounce around, eat and cache nuts and chase each other.  I never leave a session with the squirrels without a huge grin on my face!

However, they aren't the easiest animal to photograph as locations are often in woodland with poor and varied light plus they move so very very fast!

If you'd like to learn how to leave a session with the squirrels with great photographs as well as the aforementioned grin, then this is the workshop for you!

Not only will I give you tips on how to best photograph fast moving subjects in low light, but I'll tell you about red squirrels and share my passion for them. I know these guys extremely well and can recognise a few of them by their behaviours.

Covered:

• Camera settings
• How to photograph in low or varied light
• How to capture natural, emotive images
• Red squirrel behaviour

THE SITE

Location: near Beauly.

This site is in a deciduous wood and is a very natural setting with no artificial set-ups.  I do not have a wooden hide, we sit/lie outside the hide for eye-level images. This means you have a much better field of view and more interaction with the squirrels although they will not approach too close.  You'll witness a variety of behaviours from the squirrels as they don't just come in and eat - expect scratching, grooming, scent marking and chasing.   I'll be on hand to tell you about the different personalities and squirrel facts.

You may also see woodland birds including great, coal and long-tailed tits, robins and chaffinches. Sometimes a wren appears or even a tree creeper and there are bank voles who on occasion pluck up the courage to steal the hazelnuts.

CLOTHING

Warm and waterproof clothing is recommended all year round. It’s a shady site and we sit outside not in a hide. Long trousers please  as there are ticks and other biting beasties. Warm clothing is especially necessary in the winter months. Good boots or wellies a must as well. The walk to the site is short, but it’s uneven and there are a couple of steep bits, it can also be quite wet underfoot.

CAMERA GEAR

DSLR / Mirrorless or bridge camera.

Lenses – anything from 100mm upwards, but I’d recommend one that includes 300-500mm (full frame) as the squirrels come relatively close. A fast lens is not a requirement but, that said, faster provides more options.

PRICES

Squirrels tend to be active in the mornings only, so these prices are based on a workshop lasting until approx 1-2pm

One-to-one: £120
Two-to-one: £180
Three-to-one: £240