Pete’s travels in spotlight...

PETE Smith, one of Sileby Photographic Society’s

own members, entertained his colleagues and friends at the meeting held on Monday, April 23, with a rendering of ‘Pete’s Travels’.

With an avid interest in natural history and wildlife, when Pete travels somewhere it is usually in pursuit of his favourite subject.

All images projected, therefore, reflected his photographic expertise when capturing on camera those taken during visits in this country and abroad to nature reserves and known locations where nature abounds.

The Yorkshire coastal regions in spring were a haven for seabirds and, with colourful spring flowers in the background, representative images of puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and others were shown.

A concentration in Lincolnshire, Northants, Rutland, and Anglesey of many butterfly species provided excellent images and the clarity of detail, particularly on close-up images of dragonflies and damselflies was fascinating to view.

Pete accompanied his presentation with detailed commentary proving that he really did know his stuff which added extra interest.

Travelling further afield, Pete projected images taken whilst overseas when visiting specific locations where wildlife thrived in its natural habitat.

These included Morocco, Le Vaccarès in Southern France and Cuba, home to many endemic birds.

Great images were projected of many different species of birds going about their daily routines, flying, feeding, swooping, nesting or even eyeing up a suitable partner for the next batch of chicks.

Again, close-up images of butterflies and moths revealed intricate and quite exquisite detail in their wing design, some well camouflaged too in the interests of selfpreservation.

Lizards, geckos, toads and frogs, apparently stationary but probably ready to pounce at a moment’s notice, resulted in good images and, with a smattering of surrounding local landscape scenery images included, this had been a great evening of wildlife photography, reflected in Colin Machin’s summing up of the evening when thanking Pete.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 14 when the third round of the society’s quarterly competition will take place. The judge on this occasion will be Bob Rowe, ARPS, CPAGB.

Visitors and prospective new members are always welcome to attend the Society’s meetings which commence at 7.45pm for 8pm and are held at Sileby Community Centre.

Further information can be obtained from the society’s website, www. silebyps.org.uk