On Saturday 29/6/13, ten members of the Group made a day-trip to Counties Kilkenny and Carlow. First stop was Ireland's only Reptile Village Conservation Zoo in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.
A large range of exotic creatures from Tarantulas to Crocodiles were on display and the helpful and enthusiastic staff, who imparted their extensive knowledge of the animals to us, made it very easy to get some images to remember.
The Reptile Village is easy to find and really worth a trip for the photographer and non-photographer alike.
Get all the details on their website here.
Next stop on our journey was the Woodlands Falconry Bird of Prey Centre in the Rathwood Home and Garden Centre on the Shillelagh Road, Tullow, Co. Carlow, where eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls, etc were on display. To experience the beauty and elegance of these majestic birds was worth the admission alone but the chance to make some images of the birds, both while static and in flight, was absolutely fabulous.
We walked through the woods accompanied by an eagle, owl and hawk and made some images of the birds in their natural surroundings. Trying to get images of the birds in flight was a real challenge but really enjoyable and fantastic to get so close to these magnificent creatures as they swooped, literally millimeters, above our heads.
Many thanks to falconers, Tommy and Carol, who were most accommodating and really facilitated the Group during our visit. Again, we couldn't over recommend this centre for both photographers and non-photographers alike.
Get all the details of the Woodlands Falconry Bird of Prey Centre here.
A great day was had by all and many notes were made of possible future photographic forays on the road to and from.
All photos on this post by Denis Barry. Check back for more pics soon.
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