I'm interested to know...

[eeyore]

Interesting thread this Ian, good stuff. I'm a wildlife proffesional - currently working for the Parks Trust in Milton Keynes but previously also as a ranger or warden in Derbyshire, Essex, Norfolk, Dorset, and Cornwall.

On top of this I am also a freelance photographer doing everything from weddings to wildlife and a designer/creative on breifs for websites, flyers, posters, etc and as most of you will know already car stickers and Tee shirts.

when I was little we lived right out in the sticks and i think my interest in wildlife came from that. Having partied my way to a lower second at uni it was the only career I could show a genuine enthusiasm for.

[gmsmith]

Hi Ian, What a great thread.

Hi I'm Geoff, or gmsmith, I had a reasonably troubled school life due to congenital cataract (an eye disorder), it is hireditry in my family it shows up early instead of the normal type which is usually later in life, so things were put on hold a bit in the early years, However, when I came to start work in 1972 I had trouble finding a company that would employ me because of my problems. Well, a company from London had just moved to our area, and my late father took me for an interview for an apprenticeship. My father explaind my problem to the works manager who was very understanding and offered me a six month trial to see how I got on. that was 34 years ago on the 26th June this year................. and I'm still there. My eyesight was corrected in 1976 just after completing my apprenticeship.
In 1977 I married my beautiful wife Jenny. Jen's father worked for the company too. I now work in the office as a Quality Systems Manager and Production Supervisor.

Outside of work I have a varied interests. I have played keyboards in a band for a few years during the mid eighties. I took up gymnastics coaching for a couple of years when my daughter became interested in the sport, this took up three night a week of my free time. I also took up martial arts (Lau-Gar Kung-Fu) when my son and daughter became interested, I trained for twelve years attained my 1st degree black sash after four years, I then went on to teach, this took up the remaining four nights of the week.

I have fished on and off since I was a child and thats where I really had my first contact with nature, and off all my mates, I was the one with the biggest float, IT WAS HUGE because I could'nt see the normal sized ones . it was like the severn bore when that float hit the water, the barges on the canal could surf the wave .

I enjoy sketching, nothing serious, just when I'm in the mood, my daughter has followed this interest and is really quite good at it and now paints in her spare time. My son has followed my interest in music and is playing guitar. AND MY WIFE BLESS HER TAKES AN INTEREST IN EVERYTHING WE DO, SHES GREAT. My wife is the wildlife expert in the family, shes a real Mrs Doolittle and yes she does talk to the animals , but of couse they don't talk back, I think .

My main interest now (apart from my family and pets) is Photography, which started with a picture of a little owl taken in the wild with an Olympus compact zoom close to where I live back in 2004. It started to get reasonably serious when I purchased a Fuji S9500 in November 2005, and even more so now, then I joined WAB and wow what a rollercoaster ride so far. I LOVE IT

Great thread Ian

Geoff

[emf]

I work in the computing industry managing teams testing new computer systems on a freelance basis. This means I chop and change every few months or so and have worked on a diverse set of things from traffic light systems to banking systems to criminal justice systems.

I've only recently (last couple of years or so) got into this wildlife observing lark. It started off when a big development was planned to take place near my house. I wanted to prove there were bats around who would be affected by this development. So I bought a bat detector. Found there were far more bats around than anyone new and this helped stop the development.

That started off my interest and opened my eyes to the previously unseen world of nature - - not just bats. I find myself looking at everything with new eyes now and wonder why I just didn't see these things before.

I'm still very much a novice and will doubtless plague you all with questions on identification every so often but I hope you won't mind me doing that.

[Susie]

BUMP!!! Thanks to the person who sent me a link to this thread .. yes, I did enjoy reading it.

Workwise I just piddle about in an office a bit.

Dunno if I could be called arty, probably not. The best I managed was an O level in it at school. Most art leaves me cold - I can't stand modern art at all. I enjoy looking at nature art and photography though, my own efforts generally frustrate me because I cannot achieve what I can see in my mind.

As a child I had an affinity with the outdoors and could generally be found up a tree or gleefully pinching matches so I could make a "camp" with a fire and a collection of insects, leaves or interesting stones to look at - much to my mother's disappointment and disgust. I'll never be the young lady she hoped I would be Every spring I get a jar of frogspawn and watch it develop and every year I am amazed by the miracle of transformation.

My interest in nature took a back seat during my teens and early twenties as boys, clubbing and career took precedence. Late twenties and early thirties were dedicated to home and family. Then, thanks to the enthusiasm of another nature lover to whom i will always be grateful my interest was rekindled. Nature has been my hobby and growing passion for the last few years and I hope it will continue to grow.

[ogwen]

Only just saw this thread .

I suppose Im quite arty. When I was about 6(?) my oldest sister encouraged me to draw a dolphin although in the end it looked a bit deformed. It got me interested in drawing though I tend to stay away from paints and tend to just shade with pencils. I mostly drew wildlife and old ruined castles like Dolwyddelan (I used to watch the wildlife while I drew).

I took it up for A levels though my art teacher said I was too much of a perfectionist and would have to speed up so I think Ill just keep it as a hobby .

My whole family can be described as arty. You wouldn't like to see inside our house, walls lined up with book shelves with probably way over 2000 books! . No exaggeration

[Susie]

Sounds like my parents' house. Two of the three bedrooms have the walls completely lined with books, as well as having books downstairs.

I used to be a voracious reader, but I hardly have any books now.

[Alan]

Please don't mention books!!

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by ian_g

... what you all do for a living, not because I'm nosey or anything, more the fact that I imagine most of you are arty in some way, for wildlife is art is some respects, particularly wildflowers. It just amazes me how many different colours, shapes and sizes there are out there to see. The same can be said for the colouration of birds and insects.

Is it a love of art and beauty that we all possess, and is this reflected in the work we do, or is it more of an escape from everyday mundane life?

I'm a graphic designer for a living and I look upon wildlife as an extension of this, particularly when it comes to photographing it. I want to emphasise the beauty of what I'm seeing so that others can appreciate it and enjoy it.

What are your views on this, or is it a totally stupid question?

Ian G

Hi Ian

I took a degree with the Open University in Art History and Classical Studies so I do have an Arty background there. I love Wildlife Photography, its sort of the iceing on the cake when you're out and about, being able to observe, appreciate and then capture the moment to share. When you say "I want to emphasise the beauty of what I'm seeing so that others can appreciate it and enjoy it." I'm totally with you there.

I've worked in a Wildlife Rescue twice, the first time round as a volunteer, the second time in a paid capcity but sadly it's very difficult to live on the level of income they can afford to pay. So, got an HND in Information Systems - it seemed practical - but somehow ended up in Admin for a while instead. Don't quite know what happened there

Not working at the moment but will be out looking again in the new year. Would love to get out of the office and into Wildlife Conservation or anything with at least a 'green' empahsis if at all possible.



Sheryl

[PMG]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - even more now I've read the above - I feel I really fit in here at this site and no wonder - all these creative people with their eyes wide open. But oh I do wish I was working for myself. . . I wish I could find the jump and make it!

Like others wildlife and art have gone hand in hand in my life. I used to draw and paint many years ago when I didn't work but photography, looking for and at wild things, full time work and a husband (in that order - he knows his place!!!) take all my time up. Maybe when I retire. . . A lot of folks are envious of my job as a ranger - the trouble is the job is, like a lot of others, no longer the one I first took up. Its all gone to paperwork and health and safety and the one that drives me nuts - 'getting the folk of Wigan fit and healthy'. Our bosses have zoomed in on the lifestyle bug - what they don't realise is - no matter what you do, say, cajole whatever - folks will only come out and take excercise if they want to! If they want to sit home, smoke, drink beer and eat chips - no amount of bleating from us will change that - unless they want to themselves! Anyway - enough - I can feel my soap-box sliding in under my legs. . .

For myself having grown up with indifferent health - I had home schooling thro the Charlotte Mason College at Ambleside during my primary years and this was the start of wildlife passion for me. When very small I was a frightened child (didn't like thunderstorms cats, cows, horses, seagulls that bit me - as did the horses! you name name I was scared!) The home schooling was the turning point - lessons in the mornings - heavily weighted towards the child expressing themselves and each afternoon a nature walk - boy was that ever the start! Here I am 50+ years later - 14 stone - afraid of nothing wild (love thunderstorms - will chase them avidly, love cats too and had a few - still not keen on horses tho - they're too wilful!

I will look at anything wild: birds, insects, moths, flowers, fungi, bats, lichens, sedges, ferns . . . and chasing any and all with a camera will abssorb me from morning till night (and on into the night if its bats and Badgers!) The health is still indifferent and unreliable (I was ruined by a live batch of smallpox vaccine) and despite using naturapathy, homoeopathy etc for most of my life - my health is still dodgy but I'm not dead yet!

I live to go out and observe and take photos - I'm really single-minded about it and induldge it whenever and wherever. . .

Pauline

[Flora]

Hi Ian!
I'm definately not arty. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler!
Love of wildlife started with a big field at the bottom of the garden with a stream and pond in it. Spent most of my childhood there -either in the pond or stream trying to catch whatever was in it.
Then they built houses on it so that was then end of that.
Went into Guiding(26 years) and loved being in the out of doors, building shelters, cooking on open fires etc so watching nature was part of it.
Met husband who was in Scouting and found we were like minded. Hubby used to work for the Lighthouse Authority and would come back with tales of birds, animals and lonely islands that made me so jealous.
Now I teach pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities and behaviour problems and going out on the weekend to walk and see what we can see is a great form of relaxation.

[Susie]

Originally Posted by Alan

Please don't mention books!!

Books, books, books, books, books ..... teehee.

[mikemarsden]

Hello Ian,

I'm in IT... Maintain & 'Drive' 100+ webservers, provide level 4 support, write php, cgi scripts... Do some website design... And do a bit of Windows programming.

In my spare time I enjoy photography and all things 'wild'.

Rgds
Mike

--------------------------------
smoking shortens your cigarettes

[Airehead]

Main subject chemistry. Trained as a dyer and colour matcher in textiles. That industry collapsed and ended for me when I was 40. Got a factory job in vitreous enamelling and became tech manager until the firm was sold down the river when I was 55. Then an interesting 3 years in optical fibres until the bandwagon collapsed (gained 3 City & Guilds certs at this late age). Now living on 'pension credits' because all you younger people are frightened of employing me in case I take your jobs. Which is quite probable, considering the number of people I see who can't do their jobs. Some earnings from landscape painting and fly tying.

[RogerTheCat]

I am not in the least arty. I work for Torbay Council in the town of Torquay. Nature and photography offer a direct opposite to my work which bores me. It is only the countryside that keeps me in the area. My hobbies are nature, phoptography, walking and doing volunteer work (not sure if that counts as a hobby). My work involves people, paperwork and computers not to mention managers. My photography stems from wanting to capture exactley what I see when I am outdoors (plus a bit of photoshop)

[Garden Carpet]

What a lovely thread, I feel as if I know you all so much better now. I dont work, I used to be in admin and temped a lot in glorious Guernsey... left home at the same time my son did.. and came to live in Lincs. I have been here nearly 5 years now and wouldnt want to go anywhere else.. unless I could move my wee house.. lock stock and leaking roof up to Scotland.

I am an arty person, made my clothes and my daughters.. even made a suit for hubby at one point. I can draw and paint but not very well and have to do it when I am in the right mood... or it wont work!!!

I had a small inheritance a few years back and used it to by my first digital camera, the rather quirky Sony Mavica... yes.. the one that used floppy discs.... it was wonderful.. till I lost it in Spain.. bought a Konika Minolta DiZ5... which I hate!!!!

I have always had a light interest in wildlife because my pa was interested... now I cant work for health reasons I do a lot of mothing from my desk. This year in particular they seem to be keen to get into the house. I dont go out much so desk wildlifing is my limit.
This site has been a boon, enabling me to 'get out and about' without leaving home.

In this area and in particular in my garden there is a great and varied wildlife.. moths butterflies and dragons in my garden along with at least 10 different types of bird who come in a mixed gang at regular times of day. When I do go out .. shopping.. doctors etc I am lucky to see a wonderful selection of birds... and squirrels.. and Marsh Harriers. I have a vivid picture (unfortunatly only in my head.. didnt have the camera) of a cock pheasant jumping up into the air to chase off a Marsh Harrier who was withing a foot of lifting his young.. amazing sight. From my window I have seen Magpies playing the wind... half a dozen at a time... starlings having relay races over my head in the garden... a hare in the field beside the house... and dragonflies basking on the marble in my garden or coming so close, watching me watching them, papa blue tit bringing his family to the feeder.. who needs more. So..I am a housebound wildlifer

Sorry for the waffle

[Wild-Woman]

Yes-Very arty. Do lots at school with kids and teach perspective. Also draw backgrounds out for the kids to 'colour in'. Julie
PS- I like working in pastels.

[StuartDH]

I've got a CV like Mr Benn's (the 70s cartoon character) as I've been a Surveyor in the Royal Engineers, a diver, a 3D animator/designer..., but I've mainly worked in land and building surveying for the past 10 years.

I'm now an energy management consultant, finding ways to help big companies reduce their carbon emissions and cut their energy consumption/bills. It's a nice little 9-5, just up the road, that gives me 8 hours of rest in between the evenings, nights and early mornings that I spend working on Wild About Britain

[jennyb]

Interesting thread this one.

I'm in software development so I'm a bit of a techie. I have worked with computers since the dark ages (well, the days of punch cards and paper tape)! Over the years, I have worked in various computer environments from super computers to PC's. My husband and I now run an Internet development company which specialises in producing web applications (rather than just web sites). The Internet is an amazing medium and we are very happy to be involved with it. However, I have reached a stage where I really would prefer to have more time to devote to my own interests rather than work full time.

In spite of my techie background, I think I do have an artisitic streak - tried painting but found it too stressful! I know what constitutes a good photograph but the technical aspects of using a camera really well are beyond me (I'm still working at it).

My love of wildlife comes from my parents who took us kids out into the countryside every weekend. Now, I could not even contemplate living in a big city (although I like to visit one on occasions) and my idea of a great day is to prowl round my garden with my camera to see what wildlife I can find.

Jenny

[carlj]

I work in Customer Services for BT, dealing with complaints mainly. Wildlife is my stress relief. As for art, used to paint, and sketch, got a camera to aid the sketching, found it replacing my painting!

[DaiTheDragon]

Where do I start. I had a very unhappy childhood and was diagnosed that I was suffering from depression at 10. I have always been a loner and one place you can be alone is in the countryside so I spent most of my time wandering around woods or rivers.
I left school at 15 with no qualifications. I have had many jobs but as I was an alcoholic by the time I was 20 I got sacked from most of them.
After 2 failed marriages (my fault) I met my present wife who I could not live without, she really is a saint the way she looks after me and she is a perfect mother to our children, we have now been married for 17 years.
I wish I could be “arty” but every thing I do has to be organised and perfect which makes it very hard to express your true feelings about anything. I do like all types of art, even modern art as it stimulates the mind.
At the age of 45 I stopped drinking and my life changed dramatically, for the better. Spent 4 years in therapy which helped but I still suffer from depression and anxiety, but I cope with it with the help from my wife.
At 49 I started college and did a course in office applications and got my City in Guilds. I then did another course in Computer Art and got my HND. It was only when I started college that I discovered I was dyslexic as well.
I have always liked photography but only as a hobby. Since finding this site my interest in nature has expanded to include all aspects of wildlife. And my photography has become far more important to me, it’s one way of being arty without being arty if you know what I mean.
Well that’s my brief autobiography.
Dai

[ian_g]

Well Dai, what an autobiography, and more to the point, it has been incredibly brave of you to be open about your life and everything you've been through. It's fantastic to hear such a positive story and that through thick and thin, your wife has helped you through, no wonder you praise her to the hilt

I must apologise for such a long absence from this forum... I noticed the kind header note stating this. It's nothing to do with losing interest in nature (particularly wildflowers), more a case of redesigning my main photographic website which took over a month to do (a plug would probably be inappropriate as tempted as I am!), and also the fact that I'm having a major ongoing battle to get access to my children (it's now around 16 weeks since I last saw them and it's breaking my heart). I could go into the nitty-gritty of it all but I don't feel that it's the right place to

It's been great catching up on this thread as there have been fantastic replies and I thank you all for giving me (and other forum members) and chance to 'get to know' others a little bit more.

Ian G

[smartie]

I'm so glad this thread has been reopened - what a lot of interesting people.

I got interested in wildlife early - in both senses of the word. Neither my father nor I were inclined to sleep long hours when I was a child so we used to go on walks at 5.00 in the morning to look for "mushrooms" and anything else we could find. We also used to live quite near the sea and spent a lot of time there, poking about in rock pools and looking at the plant and animal life. He was a good amateur artist - sadly I didn't inherit his talent, but I have always loved art and design and thought I could take a reasonable photograph until I saw the standard on this site.

Spending time in the garden and generally outdoors has for years been a distraction and a rest from my interesting but very busy work life as a civil servant in London, but I retired earlier this year (sorry jennyb) so I've now got the time I need to improve my wildlife garden and my understanding. This site has already been a big help.

Carol

[SteveHL]

I work in the Transportation industry, stowplanning and loading and unloading ships and containers.
I was born in Chiswick West London. At the age of 3 ,
I moved to Kenya with my family. All my formative years
were spent living in the african bush under canvas or at the
family home a ten acre property bordering Nairobi National
Park.
My life was enriched by the sights and sounds of Africa.
I didn't of course appreciate the experience until much later
in life.
You will not be suprised that my interest in the natural world
was sharpened and honed during those early years and
continues today back in England. I now live in Felixstowe,
Suffolk, and most of my photography is done within a thirty
mile radius of home. I have discovered a facinatin