Capturing Nature’s Wonders: A Wildlife Photographer’s 2024 Showcase

From courting kingfishers to witnessing a grey seal giving birth, amateur photographer Martin Yelland has experienced a year rich in wildlife.

Residing in St Erth, Cornwall, Mr. Yelland has diligently aimed to capture extraordinary images in 2024 – all while ensuring minimal disruption to the wildlife.

His innovative approaches and specialized camera equipment facilitated the capturing of diverse wildlife images throughout the year.

Reflecting on the past year in the south-west of England, Mr. Yelland described witnessing the birth of a grey seal pup as a “once in a lifetime” event for him.

He remarked: “Without a doubt, the most significant moment this year was the birth of the grey seal.

“My spouse and I have begun volunteering for the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust… and we’ve gained a substantial understanding of seal behavior thanks to them.”

Mr. Yelland mentioned that the gear he used was instrumental in allowing him to take wildlife photographs without causing any disturbance to the creatures.

“The lens is roughly the length of my arm, and I wear full camouflage attire, which isn’t strictly necessary, but helps me blend in and remain out of sight…

“I aim to capture excellent images… but I want to document natural behavior, and you couldn’t get more natural than that [birth of a seal pup], so it was definitely the highlight of the year.”

Mr. Yelland identified an additional highlight of the year when he and his six-year-old son ventured to photograph a great spotted woodpecker nest in Cornwall.

He shared: “I set the camera on a tripod, so I suppose it was really set up for him [his son], but he had fun watching… it was before the chicks fledged, and he managed to get a couple of nice shots.

“One of those was featured in a birdwatching magazine; that was fantastic, as they included his age as well, and they announced it during the school assembly.

“My spouse and I make an effort to involve our two boys… we simply encourage them to explore outdoors and appreciate nature.”

Discussing his fervor for wildlife photography, Mr. Yelland mentioned it was the “excitement” that made an impression.

“When I’m observing a male kestrel arrive with a vole and the female joins, you might have a mere four seconds to see those birds transfer that prey to each other, and then they’re gone.

“Even if you possess the finest equipment on the planet, it isn’t always about the gear; it sounds cliché, but being there at the exact moment, it’s a brief encounter…”

“I doubt I will ever lose that thrill… and if I do, it’s likely time to pursue something else,” Mr. Yelland expressed.