As I Xi It v2.3

After a rather long hiatus from doing any sort of real wildlife photography, I got my layers on popped over to Richmond Park on Saturday to shoot the deer in the snow.

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Another year gone, time for another annual retrospective review. Not really in the mood to write much so I’ll just leave you with some pics summarising the last twelve months, but I’ve got to say that the highlight of my year was probably my trip to South Africa. That was really something.

It was another bank holiday weekend last weekend and Gauss, Wingkit and I went into central London for a spot of photography. It’s been a while since I last went out specifically for photography. I guess that’s what happens when Jac abandons us.

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It was another Lee Valley afternoon yesterday. We went to some of the private hides and well, it was slim pickings. We put food out in the hope of getting some birds, but it just attracted the squirrels. A few birds did pop along for an afternoon snack, but I think the hides are over untill the autumn/winter. I really wanted a pic of a blue Jay. Anyway, there’s a montage of some of the squirrel shots.

Also a few stills. In the last photo, we trialed our floating camera platform. There are still some logistical issues to work out.

Took Friday afternoon off for a spot of photography at Lee Valley. I’ve edited it using Animoto which looks quite cool, but better suited to people photography I reckon.

For those who’d rather have a look at still stills, here they are below.

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I’ve just returned from over two weeks in South Africa (with a brief sojourn into Swaziland). Trip report to come, but for the time being, here’s a slideshow. This time’s theme tune is Bob Marley’s Buffalo Soldier.

South Africa & Swaziland 2009 from Xi on Vimeo.

I guess this is to kerb paedophilia. Taken at Northwick Par car park.

You know what? I never realised that there was a Crumpler store in London till yesterday. It’s on New Oxford Street.

Just the other day, I popped into The Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, just along the Kings Road in Duke of York Square. It’s free to enter and they were showcasing contemporary works by some chinese artists. More info available on their site.

Here’s a video of the interactive installation down in the basement (Old Person’s Home by Sun Yuan & Peng Yu). It’s a bit odd but quite good.

More pics around the gallery here.

Old Person’s Home from Xi on Vimeo.

This one looks like it could be Yasser Arafat.

Yesterday, Soph and I went to Whipsnade for a spot of photography. Pseudo-wildlife photography. Since it was out of season, all the kids were back at school and there was hardly anyone around. Fantastico!

The last time I went to Whipsnade was over 10 years ago when I was at school. It was cold, wet and in summer! I don’t remember seeing much. This time round the weather was a bit tempremental, the sun came out here and there, there was some spitting and when it really rained, we were in the elephant house anyway.

Got some great shots, more pics here – Click me!