London Nature Photography

I will be traveling to Plaistow London for two weeks in August and was wondering if there was any suggestions on where to go to photograph nature. I know that London isn't exactly the ideal place for nature photography, but there must be some. Preferrably something that isn't too hard to get too. I am trying to plan a trip to Scotland hiking during this time so any suggestions there would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

James Donald

Hi James

London is much better than you might think as although you might be a little short on the number of species you see, all are habituated to people and usually very approachable and you could photograph anything from Sparrows to Jays to Grey Heron in many of the London Parks. In Richmond Park you are sure to get great images in natural settings of Fallow and Red Deer together with some water birds and maybe Ring-necked Parakeet. A visit to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve at Barn Elms is also recommended.

I am not too familiar with the London Parks but I am sure someone looking at the forum who knows the Capitol well will tell you which are the best.

Re. Scotland unless we know your route it is difficult to make any suggestions.

Hope this helps.

Davif

Hi James

Try Richmond Park for some approachable deer, and in quite nice settings.

Kew gardens has some approachable birds such as ducks, geese, etc.

The Royal Parks such as St James also have semi-tame wild birds which can be approached easily.

The London Wetland Centre near Hammersmith might be worth a visit for some tame and/or captive birds, as well as some wild stuff.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/wetlandcentre/default.asp

There are a few nature reserves in London itself, look at this website for some ideas ;

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/london/

Although the website seems to be down at the time of writing.

Hampstead Heath is a fairly open area of parkland which can have some interesting wildlife.

If you are prepared to travel a little out of London then there are more options ;

British Wildlife Centre for some tame British mammals ;

http://www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/

Lea Valley Park north of London is a well known birding spot.

If you can, I would recommend buying a recent book called 'Wild London' by Iain Green. ISBN: 0954311515 All nature photographs taken in and around London.

Here on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0954311515/026-8750898-8609206?v=glance&n=266239


There is probably more Internet info out there, a bit of googling and searching might throw up some further ideas.

enjoy the visit

cheers

Sean

James- whilst East London may not be first in the mind for people considering nature photography but its mix of decaying industrial waste land and small open spaces can provide many opportunities for wildlife spotting and photography.
Try http://wildweb.london.gov.uk/wildweb/Welcome.do for more information.