THE BLACK GROUSE ......

THE LEK

Last year Andrew made the trip north to capture the Black Grouse lekking.  

The weather was determined to play it's part and very early on a saturday morning in the deep mist and murk an addiction spawned.... 

It has become less about "that shot" and more about being part of one of natures stunning rituals.

So this year, we both headed north, last year a 200 - 400mm lens proved to short, even with an extender and a crop sensor, so this year the weapon of choice was a Canon 600mm.

I wish I could describe how it feels to be sat atop a moor with the weather sailing past... vast, open, space, peace .. nothing really fits.  For those that have been, you will hopefully understand, for those that haven't, should you ever get the opportunity.. grab it, with both hands.

We spent a while at dusk checking out where the grouse had been lekking and getting a feel for the Polaris which we had very kindly been loaned.

In all honesty some of the Workingline team could maybe have spent the rest of the evening putting this through it's paces, but a very early start dictated an early evening. 

MORE THAN A 4X4

HEADING OF THE MOOR AT THE END OF THE EVENING

 CHECKING OUT THE SCOPE OF THE 600MM

Well the alarm called at 4am and after grabbing a flask we headed back across the moor in the gloom and the low cloud !!!!

Could the sun just not have shone a little.

Nothing however could have prepared me for what came next... 

The noise ... the huge amount of noise that the grouse were making .. a constant vibration and then as a pair started to display a more insistant shrill call ... 

There were around 30 birds displaying and right in the middle, two grey hens, calmly watching the spectacle.

We sat with them for a good few hours, and although there were no aerial displays, it was truly a priviledge to be able to watch this breath taking display.

   

TWO PAIRS OF GROUSE DISPLAYING

BLACK GROUSE

 DISPLAYING

To view the fully gallery from the 2015 Lek, visit our website ...

BLACK GROUSE 2015

PLEASE DO NOT COPY OR REPRODUCE THESE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION.  THESE IMAGES ARE THE WORK AND COPYRIGHT OF WORKINGLINE IMAGES.

SHOULD YOU WISH TO USE ANY OF THESE IMAGES FOR PUBLICATION PLEASE CONTACT US.

PUPPY POWER ......

Well in fact "RUPERT POWER.... "

What better than to turn up to training and to meet the newest member of the "Bracken Cottage" gang.... Rupert. 

12 weeks and absolutely gorgeous, with eyes only for his new mum oh and maybe a puppy dummy or two.

Really excited to watch this young man grow... won't be long until he is part of the "Kirkbourne Training Crew..."

To read more about Lucy and Rupert checkout the Kirkbourne Spaniels website and their fabulous member journals ..

KIRKBOURNE MEMBER JOURNALS

If you would like Workingline to capture your puppy or even your training class then contact us either at :

email : info@workinglineimages.co.uk

call : 07798 883142

or send us a message on Facebook

www.workinglineimages.co.uk

Rufriver Charity Working Test in aid of Prostate Cancer.

Massive congratulations to Allie and Toby from Rufriver Gundogs for putting on this fabulous Open Team Event to raise funds for Prostate Cancer.

10 Teams of 3 dogs and all at "Open" standard meant that nothing was going to be easy.

The event was held amongst the rolling hills of Oxfordshire on the Swinbrook Estate and what a beautiful setting .. a little slice of heaven. 

The sun refused to shine but at least we didn't get wet. 

An "up and over" ... proved a little too much for some as they found their way under the fence ...

Smiles and joviality all round kept the Judges happy, the photographers amused and everyone in good spirits.

...and then there were the "golden dummies" ... so clearly visible but with some swirling winds an challenge to actually pick... 

A fantastic spread of tea and cakes was laid on by the our hosts and some very generous helpers and together with the lots donated for the Charity auction the day ended a complete success with a total in excess of £2,000 for this worthy cause.

THE RESULTS 

1st - TOYS R US: Pip Williams and Mango, Dan Higgs with Falcon and Tracy Flood with Willow.

2nd: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY: Mike Brown with Bertie, Nick Jordan with Lottie and Basil Smith with Reed.

3rd: THE WELSH EXILES: Simon Hagin with Emmy, Richard Edwards with Sid and Andy Fisher with Trigger.

Top Dog: Sean McGrath with Alf - only dropped 8 points across 5 tests.

Best Team Name: Keep Calm and Drop Your Pants! Philly Pinn, Sean McGrath and Beth Payne

 "TOYS R US"

THE MRS "B"s

A normal day at work consists of dogs, dogs training, competing, puppies, older dogs of all sorts of shapes and sizes, but a recent commission was all about dogs and boys !!!

A session that has been in the planning for a good long while but that  a bout of kennel cough, a broken car and various other unplanned event saw fit to postpone the shoot.

Eventually we managed to slot in a time to and I headed north for a session with dogs and boys !!!

And what a grand session it was ... 

The saying never work with dogs and children must have been thought up by someone who didn't like either because bring the two together can only induce laughter and smiles.

Cocker spaniels, PUPPY Cocker spaniels, Flatcoats, and boys, together with three lovely ladies, tea and cake who could possibly ask for more...

Sunshine ??? ... oh yes, we had sunshine as well.

THE BOYS

THE FLATCOATS

THE PUDDLE !!!!

We spent a lovely day wandering round the Lancashire countryside and came away with a portfolio of happy shots that reflected a wonderful day.

The whole gallery has since been pulled together in a stunning photo book.

 P.S

It would be rude not to include this beautiful young lady ....

If you like the sound of a private photo shoot, why not give us call or drop us a line and we can tailor a day to suit your requirements... 

e.mail : info@workinglineimages.co.uk

 call : 07798 883142

www.workinglineimages.co.uk