Behind the Lens with Michael Vickers

Emma Chaplin
, 11 November 2020
Behind the Lens with Michael Vickers
Yellowhammer ©Michael J Vickers

We speak to Michael Vickers who has just won the public vote of our photography competition with this stunning image called 'Kingfisher Confrontation'. 

Tell us about Kingfisher Confrontation.

I took the photograph at Warnham Nature Reserve, near Horsham. I’d been a regular visitor, seeking to photograph this stunning bird. On this occasion, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time, when one male kingfisher aggressively confronted another, who had been quietly watching the water.

Kingfisher Confrontation PC20©Michael J VickersSussex Wildlife Trust

Tell us a bit about yourself

I'm a retired estate agent, and I live with my wife in West Sussex. 

Fox cub 3138

How did you develop an interest in wildlife photography? 

As a child I grew up with pets and I enjoyed photographing animals from a young age. I was given a Box Brownie camera and it all started from there. 

Little owl 5827

What do you find most challenging to photograph? 

Birds in flight. I have spent a lot of time locally photographing barn owls and other raptors.

Barn owl 3103

What equipment do you use, in brief?  

For many years I used Canon equipment but about two years ago I changed to a Fuji XT3 and XT 4 mirrorless cameras as they are a great deal lighter in weight.

Fallow deer rutting 6843

What are you communicating with your photos? 

Hopefully awareness, so that people can appreciate wildlife and support conservation organisations such as the Sussex Wildlife Trust. I offer my images to a number of conservation-based organisations. I have often taken photos of wildlife in India, as I have a particular interest in tiger conservation. Some of my photos have been used to support wildlife there - on posters for a campaign against poaching, mainly tigers, which were used in all the major airports.

Firecrest taken at the Arundel Wetland Centre

Firecrest

Any tips? 

Have patience, know your subject, understand the settings on your camera, especially aperture and shutter speed.

Badgers 6580

What is your favourite shot and why?

Probably a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers feeding their young in the nest of an old oak tree.

Great spotted woodpecker taken at Ashington

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