Hide and SEEK
Revealed, one man’s mission to get up close and personal with the elusive golden eagle
CAMOUFLAGED and hidden away on the side of a mountain, this committed photographer has gone to extreme lengths to capture stunning images of Scottish golden eagles.
Laurie Campbell spent more than a month hidden on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides waiting for the opportunity to snap the perfect shot of the iconic birds of prey.
The award-winning wildlife photographer managed to capture the impressive images by building a hide next to deer carcasses that he was using as bait.
The 57-year-old’s five-week mission presented a number of challenges. Mr Campbell was forced to remain inside the hide for the duration of the day, as he had to ensure that he stayed out of the eagle’s sight.
Scottish golden eagles are renowned for having incredibly good eyesight and would have been able to spot Mr Campbell from more than a mile away, meaning that he had to be very careful when entering and leaving the hide.
The photographer, from Berwickupon-Tweed, Northumberland, used a timber frame and natural objects from his surroundings to build and camouflage the hide.
It had to be built quickly to ensure the eagles did not associate it with humans. Mr Campbell covered it with heather to help blend it in with the surroundings.
‘My method was to get up the mountain and settled into the hide before dawn and then not to leave until long after sunset,’ he said.
Mr Campbell was forced to face chilly winter temperatures throughout November and December but managed to pack in a few creature comforts, including a gas stove, kettle and sleeping bag.
‘The more comfortable you are, the more time you will spend, and the longer you wait, the more you will see – and hopefully photograph,’ he explained.
‘Successful nature photography is about learning all you can about the biology and habits of your intended subject, by gaining firsthand experience,’ he said.
‘I like the challenge of it. The more bother getting the picture is, the more rewarding it is when it comes right.’