Guest blog - Mya Bambrick

Guest blog - Mya Bambrick ~ 1st February 2016 ~ 

Hiya folks, sorry it's been a bit quiet lately! I've been very busy with A Level work which has left little time for birding/ringing, let alone blogging! Anyway, without further ado, here is a guest blog post from a friend of mine, Mya Bambrick (@MyaBambrick1):

Since I was about 7 I have been interested in wildlife photography. It began when I was looking for a way to record the wildlife I had seen, and then share them with my friends and family. It was also a coincidence that I have loved art from a very young age so it linked in with that well. Now it has grown into my main hobby.

©Mya Bambrick - Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

I find it really interesting how the press of a button can save a memory for a lifetime, whether it be the first Barn Owls I had seen, the first decent Kingfisher photo I had taken or just a great day out bird ringing. Also in my opinion photography not only records memories but it records imagination as well. There are endless possibilities of photos, animals in their natural habitat, close-ups (my personal favourite), birds in flight, the list goes on. Photos can not only show an animal, bird, reptile or amphibian, but they can highlight and raise awareness about conservation issues; I hope to create photos like this when I am older. That’s why I love wildlife photography!

©Mya Bambrick - Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

When I started with a tiny Canon camera I didn’t really know much, except how to zoom in and out and how to snap a photo. Now after 6 years I think I have progressed a lot, with lots of practise and taking 100s and 100s of photos. Now I am lucky enough to have Canon 600D with a 400mm lens to practise my skills on. Most weekends I go out to various nature reserves mainly in Sussex such as RSPB Pulborough Brooks which is home to 100s of geese, ducks and waders (including Black-Tailed Godwits!), my local nature reserve, Warnham and WWT Arundel (particularly good for Kingfishers).

©Mya Bambrick - Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

When I am older I hope to become a semi-professional wildlife photographer and hopefully study Ornithology (the study of birds) at university. I would really like to use my photos to show people how amazing wildlife is and how it is so vital that we do our best to conserve it.

You can find more of Mya's photography on her Flickr site:

Long-Tailed Tit