Blair Drummond 31 May 08

[kendo]

Firstly I'd just like to say THANK YOU to Arron and Kirsty (and of course, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park) for a tremendous day out. I can heartily endorse and recommend their new business venture. :thumbs: You owe it to yourself to try it, at least once. I know I'll be back! Exceptionally well organised, even down to the weather. Feeding the lions was spectacular and getting as close to them as we did, was a real bonus.

It was great to meet up with hotchef23 (Eric), Strax (Robert) and iGiDK (David). Thanks for your company gentlemen and apologies for rushing home directly afterwards. When I get a chance over the next few days I'll begin processing the rest of the 8 GB that I shot.

Oh, and sorry guys, as you'll see, I didn't nail the shot of Scratch after all, its slightly OOF. :bang:

By the way Eric, too much sun for me, your "Swan Vestas" observation was spot on, I can't even bear being in the same room as a 40watt bulb at the moment. :lol:

European Eagle Owl
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/European_Eagle_Owl_TP.jpg

White Tailed Sea Eagle (Scratch)
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/White_tailed_Sea_Eagle_TP.jpg

Lioness
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Lioness_TP.jpg

Ken

[hotchef23]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/hotchef23/tn_blairdrummond006.jpgi will second the venture, a fantastic day out. Arron and Kirsty orgaised special events for the day (lion on Post, a FLy past air display to finish day).
really the day was excellent a good insite to the animals and ability to work alongside the staff at teh park. most accomodating and helpful with the animals.
even down to being loaned a lens that assited in taking some fantastic close ups.
an amamzing day well worth it if you are thinking of undertaking the day.

the friendlyness of Arron and Kirsty is fantastic they couldnt do more to accomodate what you required.

thank you


thank you


thank you.

a really good day out. go and experience the day well done.
i will post some time today some fantastic images. 400 keepers and 100 special shots to me. so well worth the money? EVERY PENNY THAT IT WILL COST YOU!!

an d again thanks to the guys that made it worth while as well

and ken i was about 1/8 of a second out, teh wing tips are just out of shot, but will still post it.

eric

[arronbarnes]

Ken and Eric we are glad you enjoyed your day, and I managed to catch a little too much sun too :nuts:

Your European Eagle Owl shot is absolutely brilliant, and you have caught the lioness perfect. Damn shame about Snatch but theres always next time :thumbs:

Thanks go to you, hotchef23 (Eric), Strax (Robert) and iGiDK (David) for taking the time to come along, hope everyone enjoyed it as much as Kirsty and I did.

[strax]

I too would like to thank Arron and Kirsty for such a great day.

I've also got to mention the great help and all the wonderful 'behind the scenes' access we had at Blair Drummond. If this is a taster of what the paying public will get, then it will be really good value and a worthwhile day out.

The highlight for me was probably the feeding of the lions. To see all the lions making a sprint for the meat which was only about 15-20 feet away from us was great. In fact I have that many shots of the lions eating that it will take a few days to narrow down the ones I am keeping.:)

It's unlucky Ken that your shot of Scratch was just slightly OOF as that to me would have been the shot of the day. I just managed to capture it as Scratch got the lure and was heading away.


http://www.pbase.com/straxx/image/97931351/original.jpg

Once again my wholehearted thanks to both Arron and Kirsty for making the day such a success.

One tip I will have for anyone attending is that you would need a telephoto of at least between 70-200 and loads and loads of memory cards:)

[Glenn]

loving the last picture of snatch and the first one of smeegal beautifully captured and nice sharp image aswell.:thumbs:

[arronbarnes]

Hi

Kirsty here. Just wanted to thank Ken, Eric, Robert and David for coming along yesterday. It was great to meet you all and I am really looking forward to seeing more of your pictures as the ones already posted on here are amazing.

Ken - love Smeegal, you have managed to catch the intensity of its eyes to perfection.

Robert - love Snatch, you are one lucky man!! :clap:

Eric - you can really see the reason lions are called the king of the animals!! What a fabulous shot you captured and couldn't have got the light better if you had set it up yourself!!

Looking forward to seeing lots more.

Kirsty