British wildlife centre photography days

Caroline B · #1 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 01:02 PM

Hi,

I have just discoverd this centre in Surrey, They open up midweek for photography days. I fancy going just to have a practice shooting wildlife without going to a traditional zoo but at £75 a day I thought I ought to make some Enquiries first.

Has anyopne been there? recommend it? good value? etc etc etc.

Thanks

Caroline

eeyore · #2 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 02:04 PM

I have and yes its very good and the keepers are very obliging - the wild cat pics in my Gallery were taken there. - IIRC you get into enclosure access to the red squirels, foxes, wild cats and otters plus beyond safety barrier access to everything else.

prices have gone up a bit as it used to be £45 pp still worth it tho IMO

another one you might like to check out is the photo days at the wolf trust at beenhams farm, near theale.

Caroline B · #3 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 03:24 PM

Thanks Eeyore,

I checked out your Gallery, you have some amazing photos there

Caroline

DrNickBurton · #4 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 10:21 PM

The other day I booked myself in for one in May next year - really looking forward to it already!

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 10:30 PM

Wildwood in kent is a similar place with a similar photo scheme - Ive not done the photo scheme myself though

DrNickBurton · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Wildwood in kent is a similar place with a similar photo scheme - Ive not done the photo scheme myself though

I like the wildwood, but have not tried one of their photograpy days. The last time I went though, it was *completely* infested with out of control kids (to be honest, some of the parents are just as bad). If you want to see any animals, avoid at weekends! Maybe indeed a photo day there would be the best way to visit.

Sadly, WWT Arundel is going the same way. We are not renewing our membership this year - we refuse to have our subscription fee spent on climbing frames for families that have literally zero interest in birds, and whose only function at these places is to ruin the days of other visitors who do.

Ukwildlifeo · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNickBurton

I like the wildwood, but have not tried one of their photograpy days. The last time I went though, it was *completely* infested with out of control kids (to be honest, some of the parents are just as bad). If you want to see any animals, avoid at weekends! Maybe indeed a photo day there would be the best way to visit.

Sadly, WWT Arundel is going the same way. We are not renewing our membership this year - we refuse to have our subscription fee spent on climbing frames for families that have literally zero interest in birds, and whose only function at these places is to ruin the days of other visitors who do.

Go on a cold sunny day in winter, its usually quiet, even at weekends. Week days are best though.

As for the playground thing, it seems to be the 'in' thing at the mo. They even have one at RSPB Rainham Marshes now. I find it has the effect of keeping the kids out the way, and the same at wildwood too

Lensman400 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 04:28 PM

I thnk Nick Burton is taking a very short sighted view, parents taking their children to WWT Centres with 'climbing frames' stand a chance of interesting their offspring in wildlife. At least they get the chance to blow off some steam so they are a little quieter when they visit the hides.

DrNickBurton · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lensman400

I thnk Nick Burton is taking a very short sighted view, parents taking their children to WWT Centres with 'climbing frames' stand a chance of interesting their offspring in wildlife. At least they get the chance to blow off some steam so they are a little quieter when they visit the hides.

That sounds fine in theory, and I would agree with you if I saw evidence in practice of the kids taking the slightest interest in the birds (other than to scream at them and chase them around)!

Caroline B · #10 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 06:02 PM

Thanks everyone,

I think I will try to get there while it is open over Christmas just to see what it is like then book a mid week photo day. Nice to have been told about other places also.

As for children at wildlife centres? Well, sometimes I would like the shoot the little cherubs, and I don't mean with my camera!