#defendnature

Campaign Defend Nature

#defendnature is a new campaign by the RSPB. This campaign has come about due to the EU wanting to weaken the  Directives that protect many species in the UK as well as across Europe, that otherwise might not be there. 

Having a good knowledge of both the Habitats Directive, the Bird Directive and the success stories that have come about because of them, I know how important they are for hundreds of species throughout Europe. 

The Natura Network 2000 is made up of protected areas set out by the habitats directive. These sites have been shown to play a big part in the recovery of threatened species.

As well as protecting habitats, these directives protect many species of bird including the Red Kite which is now quite a common site in many parts of the UK because of measures set in place to protect them. 

Many mammals are also protected from otters to water voles as well as bears, lynx and wolves which even though were hunted to extinction in the UK, still live in the wild in other countries in Europe.

Watch the following video to see the beauty of whats at stake:

Do your bit to try and protect the wildlife that doesn't have a voice to protect itself. 

To show your support or if you want to find out any other information on this campaign visit rspb.org.uk/defendnature.

Big Cat Photography Training Day.

Big Cat Wildlife Photography.

For my 21st Birthday, I got asked if I wanted to do a Jessops Big Cat Photography Course.. Of course I did!!! 

It's a day course based at the Cat Survival Trusts Sanctuary in Hertfordshire.  They have lots of cats, as well as a couple of owls. The cats there include the Snow Leopard, Servals, Eurasian Lynx, Amur Leopard, Puma and Jaguar as well as some others. 

The course was run by a handful of experienced, friendly, lovely people.  The beginning of the day started with introductions and a talk about how your camera works and how to use it properly for wildlife photography. You then got a chance to go out and photograph the cats with your new knowledge. Lunch and beverages were provided and then more short talks, including one on the conservation efforts of the Cat Survival Trust. Then you were let loose for the rest of the day able to take pictures of the cats with the staff there to be able to lend a hand and help out anyone who needed it. 

If your interested in doing this course head over to: Jessops Big Cats Course.

The Cats are beautiful! It is horrible to think that these are endangered species that people kill for their fur and bones. The Cat Survival Trust is a registered charity run solely on volunteer staff. The cats here are surplus, unwanted zoo cats and impounded cats from unlicensed private ownership. this allows the cats to be able to live in an improved stressless environment.

The Cat Survival Trust is not open to the public as of yet; however a personal guided tour can be arranged for members, as well as for educational groups such as schools, which they encourage to visit them. 

to find out more about the Cat Survival Trust and their vital work that they're doing abroad head over to: Cat Survival Trust's Website

None of these photos are edited apart from the last two, so theyre not as good as they could be if i had time at the moment to go through my 700+ photos I took there.... 

So now for A LOT of photos of Big Cats!!!

Snow Leopards

Amur Leopard

Jaguar

This jaguar was called Jagsy (not 100% sure on the spelling), the only cat there that responded to her name being called. 

Lynx

Serval

Puma

These cuties were only 3 months old, They were even more adorable in real life. I just wanted to give them a big cuddle, although I don't think they'd be best pleased with the gesture.

The next two photos I have only edited the background to put more emphasis on the Puma, I had to edit this one as It was almost dusk and the light on her face was so warming, its my favourite by far.

Make sure you check out the Cat Survival Trust's website as the work they do really is vital to the conservation of these magnificent animals.