Hi my name is Gary d’Aquitaine. I first took up photography in the early 1980s and at first, all of my work was produced in black and white, this enabled me to home process the results straight away. Slowly the results improved, and I remember the feeling of achievement when the local press used one of my shots of a badger.

I tend to specialise in nocturnal wildlife, borne out of the need to be elsewhere during the day (work), and this is still my favourite time of the day.

I first started filming in 1985. Duly purchased my first 16mm camera, and remember the shock at the running costs, a video outfit was quickly added, preventing certain financial disaster, these days both film and video are run side by side, each having their strong points.

Recent projects include placing small infra red cameras inside owl and nightjar nests, and recording the everyday lives of red squirrels on the isle of wight . Sitting out in the open, becoming part of their world yielded some great footage of these delightful little animals.

Wildlife Photography is normally a Solitary occupation but at times it helps to have good friends, Jim Baldwin whose pictures also appear on the site and is a member of wildlifeuk is such a friend.

I First met Jim in 1985, Jim is a carpenter by trade which means the building of hides is his dept. Now to say that some of Jims hides require the build of a limbo dancer or the strength of a mountain climber to occupy is putting it mildly.

Still we've had many laughs along the way and I look forward to many many more.

James Baldwin (Jimmie/Jim) was born in the late 1940's in Edinburgh where he spent his childhood. He first became interested in birds when his father showed him a robins nest at the age of 8 and from then on he was 'hooked'.

Moved to Hampshire when he was 15 and trained as a carpenter and has continued with this trade all his life. During his late teens, early twenties, another variety of 'bird' attracted him, however his feathered friends were never far from his mind and soon regained his attention. In the late 70s he started photography and has continued this pursuit which goes hand in hand with his passion for birds.

Chuck Eccleston LRPS

Photographic History and Ambition: I have been keen on wildlife since I was at school, I joined a bird watching club and this led to a desire to photograph birds and other natural history subjects so I took a job with a local photographer during the school holidays and learnt to do developing and printing etc.

Career studying etc. took over for a few years until I took early retirement from my job as estate manager with the IW Health Authority. Having more time I enrolled on a City and Guilds Intermediate Photography course at the local Technical College and then progressed onto an Advanced course. This gave me exemption from the Royal Photographic Society Licentiate entrance requirements and I am currently working towards obtaining associate level membership of the RPS in the Nature category.

My main interests are still in bird photography, but I also very much enjoy macro work with insects and flowers. I also hope to visit Africa again to photograph some of the diverse wildlife found on that continent

Occupation: Semi Retired Chartered Building Surveyor

Started Photography: About 1960

First Camera: Zeiss Ikon Folding Camera

Current Gear: Canon EOS 20D, Canon Lenses - 18/55mm, 100mm macro, 75/300mm IS and 100/400mm IS lenses, Canon 2x converter, Benbo Mk1 Tripod and Kirk Ball Head. Canon S45 digital compact.

Favourite Locations: Isle of Wight, Africa, South America , India and Lake District .

Favourite Subject: Birds, Plants, Insects and Landscapes

Dream Buy: Canon 500mm f4 IS lens with a 1.4x converter

Camera Club: Sandown and Shanklin District CC