gallenwolf
Well-Known Member
Here's my write up on my visit to the UK Wolf Trust yesterday. Note that a) this is from the perspective of a wolf lover + photographer and b) I don't drive full size vehicles. c) This is a special photography only day. d) Their next open day is on the 7th Nov 09, which I doubt I can make it!
The UK Wolf trust is located in Beenham, near Reading in a place called Butler's Farm. It is about 20 minutes via taxi (25 quid! One way!) from the Reading rail station to the wolf trust. The entrance is not too well marked, just keep a look out for a building that is being constructed to the left of a driveway, and the driveway itself should have two "wolves ahead" signboards.
There are 8 wolves kept in 3 packs in 3 enclosures. Each enclosure is about 3 acres in size.
The morning started out with a light rain, that suddenly took a turn for the worst. I think I got my favourite shot of the day then. However, it cost me my flash. Oh well. This particular shot was taken at the 3rd enclosure, where there is a high viewing platform. We were not allowed into the main enclosure, but were allowed to shoot at the main fence separating us between the wolves. If you visit on an open day, there is an additional fence between the main fence and yourself.
We then stopped as the rain was so heavy, we could only see the wolves as moving shapes. Coffee, tea and biscuits for a bit whilst the owner gave us a quick talk about the place objectives about the trust.
The day cleared up quickly after that, sadly. However, being autumn, the light was really good at times. Low, not too harsh.
This particular shot above was done in the first enclosure with 3 wolves, Alba, Latea and Lunca. This shoot was slightly unique as we were shooting from inside one of the holding pens into the main enclosure.
There is also a middle enclosure where two wolves, Duma and Dakota reside. Unfortunately, while there are nice holes cut into the fence that will easily allow a largish lens to go through (150-500, 100-400 sized), they are at human eye level, not wolf eye level. It is very difficult to shoot prone as the fencing there is double-fenced, so you will have another fence in front of your lens, even if you got your lens centered
There are opportunities to shoot from outside the enclosure in, so you'll only have one fence in your way.
I highly encourage all wolf lovers to make a visit there, I've been to the previous open day it was a lot of fun. Kids will enjoy the wolves (or cry. I've seen those), and there are tons of non-wolfy stuff to do as well. I remembered there were falconers there giving talks too.
Tech details: My main lens used was a 300/4 + 1.4x teleconverter for distant shots and abstract "macro" shots. The 70-200 was well used when the wolves were closer to the fencing. A small point and shoot was on hand when the wolves were really close, and for videos. My slr is a D300.
Regards,
Alvin
The UK Wolf trust is located in Beenham, near Reading in a place called Butler's Farm. It is about 20 minutes via taxi (25 quid! One way!) from the Reading rail station to the wolf trust. The entrance is not too well marked, just keep a look out for a building that is being constructed to the left of a driveway, and the driveway itself should have two "wolves ahead" signboards.
There are 8 wolves kept in 3 packs in 3 enclosures. Each enclosure is about 3 acres in size.
The morning started out with a light rain, that suddenly took a turn for the worst. I think I got my favourite shot of the day then. However, it cost me my flash. Oh well. This particular shot was taken at the 3rd enclosure, where there is a high viewing platform. We were not allowed into the main enclosure, but were allowed to shoot at the main fence separating us between the wolves. If you visit on an open day, there is an additional fence between the main fence and yourself.
We then stopped as the rain was so heavy, we could only see the wolves as moving shapes. Coffee, tea and biscuits for a bit whilst the owner gave us a quick talk about the place objectives about the trust.
The day cleared up quickly after that, sadly. However, being autumn, the light was really good at times. Low, not too harsh.
This particular shot above was done in the first enclosure with 3 wolves, Alba, Latea and Lunca. This shoot was slightly unique as we were shooting from inside one of the holding pens into the main enclosure.
There is also a middle enclosure where two wolves, Duma and Dakota reside. Unfortunately, while there are nice holes cut into the fence that will easily allow a largish lens to go through (150-500, 100-400 sized), they are at human eye level, not wolf eye level. It is very difficult to shoot prone as the fencing there is double-fenced, so you will have another fence in front of your lens, even if you got your lens centered
There are opportunities to shoot from outside the enclosure in, so you'll only have one fence in your way.
I highly encourage all wolf lovers to make a visit there, I've been to the previous open day it was a lot of fun. Kids will enjoy the wolves (or cry. I've seen those), and there are tons of non-wolfy stuff to do as well. I remembered there were falconers there giving talks too.
Tech details: My main lens used was a 300/4 + 1.4x teleconverter for distant shots and abstract "macro" shots. The 70-200 was well used when the wolves were closer to the fencing. A small point and shoot was on hand when the wolves were really close, and for videos. My slr is a D300.
Regards,
Alvin
Last edited:
The wolf trust does member walks with the wolves, but it's on weekdays, and I'm not a member anyways so....