COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING
life
Local wildlife photographer
shines through
The work of West Island wildlife
photographer Paul Blackley,
featuring wildlife from the
Isle of Wight, can be seen at
Dimbola Lodge, Freshwater,
from May 26 until June 21. Paul
grew up in Newport but has
lived in Freshwater for the past
10 years. Capturing nature in
the best possible light involves
plenty of dawn patrols, but as
a seasoned surfer and father of
two young girls, Paul is used to
early starts.
Paul’s passion for wildlife does
not just manifest itself in his
photographic work, but also in
a commitment to protecting the
natural world. During travels
in New Zealand, he worked
with Project Jonah on the
South Island in the rescue of 43
Pilot Whales that had become
stranded on the beach. Paul
belongs to several Conservation
Trusts and has even been
known to dive into the briney at
Compton Bay in the middle of
winter to rescue an oil-covered
guillemot before a cross-Island
trip to the RSPCA.
Paul has this to say about the
environment that he loves to
capture on camera: “We live on
a beautiful planet that we share
with many other animals. I hope
that my photography portrays
the natural beauty around us
and, in doing so, reminds the
viewer how lucky we are to
share this environment with
such an incredible diversity of
species”.
Paul's work has been published
in a number of newspapers and
magazines and one of his shots
featured in a 2008 calendar
with proceeds going to the
'Durrell Wildlife Conservation
Trust'. Paul's work is also on
display at Afton Park Nursery
near Freshwater Bay and can be
viewed at his website at www.
wightlifephotography.co.uk.
Please visit the website for a
chance to win one of Paul’s
framed prints.
The Island's most loved magazine
Main Photo: Red Squirrel, taken at Fort Victoria, West Wight
Above: Short-eared Owl, taken at West Wight
Left: Fox, taken at West Wight
Right: Kingfisher, taken at Yar Estuary, West Wight
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