[DaFoot]

Off the back of Willmans post about monkey world...

Maybe we could try a visit to zoo somewhere as a group at a weekend?

Are enough of the photo group interested in animal pics to be worth thinking about a group expedition?

If I did one I'd mean paying to get in, so I for one would want a full day of animal watching if we were to do such a trip.

Is there a relatively local place anyone can think of?

[DaFoot]

Not too far:
Flamingo Land - Malton
Harewood Bird Gardens - Leeds
http://www.chestnutcentre.co.uk/

Bit further:
www.chesterzoo.org
http://www.twycrosszoo.com/

[hockeybear]

Nearest place I can think of is http://www.chestnutcentre.co.uk/
doesn't look too exotic though
Further afield is http://www.twycrosszoo.com/
not a bad run though, straight off the motorway

If people are interested though dafoot you can count me in, I tried gravestones and walls but I think I'm always going to go back to the animals

[willman]

these people always use Hammerton. http://www.goingdigital.co.uk/pages/...hotography.htm
i can recommend the general courses and i have been waiting to do one of the wildlife ones.

[DaFoot]

Thise courses look like they may be interesting...

[willman]

Originally Posted by DaFoot

Thise courses look like they may be interesting...

i did the intro to slr and then the landscape course.
at least i learnt how to switch off auto, they are excellent for getting professional feedback on the day.

[Hemlock]

I'm up for a wildlife photography session somewhere one weekend - may be able to take at least one moving critter & be able to tell what it is by the end of the day!!

[Aries22]

What about the butterfly farm in North Anston, you have to pay an entrance free, dont know how much that is.

[DaFoot]

Butterfly farm...good call!

I was trying to remember where that was.
Though given the choice I'd prefer to leave that one a couple on months 'til I've worked out if I can afford my new macro lens

[DaFoot]

GLs... could we have a sticky to suggest venues for meets/strolls?

[Hemlock]

I know it's not very exotic, but what about the animal farm at graves park? There are rare breeds, cuddly bunnies, 3 ponds .....

[GrinderBloke]

Not sure I would recommend an heated butterfly house in Winter. I wouldn't be too keen taking my camera gear from the cold outdoors into a warm moist greenhouse

Besides if people wait until about June there are some wonderful places in Derbyshire to photograph native British butterflies in their natural enviroments.

I've not been to The Chestnut Centre for a couple of years, but I seem to recall almost everything is enclosed in wire enclosures, also the main area with animals is in a wooded valley, making photography difficult. Having said that it is a great location to see and possibly photograph native British wildlife. I will see if I can find any photos from my last visit.

I've never heard of Hammerton, Chester zoo is one of the best in the UK, but a fair old trek from Sheffield, Twycross is known for its collection of primates.

Ryber Castle wildlife park was easily the best place in this area, sadly now closed.

If you do go to a zoo or wildlife park I will certainly join you.

[Grissom]

Hey up

I've made this thread sticky and altered thread title by putting 'suggestions' there. Hope thats OK.

Dont ask what gloop we use to make threads sticky

Rudi

[GrinderBloke]

Another possible zoological garden is:

http://www.blackbrookzoo.co.uk/

Looks like it has a decent collection, mainly birds, but walabys, meerkats and marmosets etc, lots of colour to aim for.

Although a bit of a distance from Sheffield, looks like it may be worth it.

[hockeybear]

Nearest free place I can find is Lotherton hall Leeds,
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/lothertonhall/lothgard.html

the gardens and birds/animals are free, the house is about £3 but doesn't open till April
review..
http://travel.ciao.co.uk/Lotherton_H...Review_5530511

[ImpInaBox]

How about the Yorkshire Sculpture Park - J38 off the M1. The website is a bit gimmicky but I've always had good fun with a camera up there - plenty of strange shapes to play with and enough textures to keep Hemlock happy for hours!!

[Hemlock]

Originally Posted by ImpInaBox

How about the Yorkshire Sculpture Park - J38 off the M1. The website is a bit gimmicky but I've always had good fun with a camera up there - plenty of strange shapes to play with and enough textures to keep Hemlock happy for hours!!

I seem to be getting a bit of a reputation don't I
Yes, I like the Yorkshire sculpture park - been there a few times, but not for a few years, I suppose it's a little more comercialised now though.

So, lets summarise ideas so far:

flamingo land
Harewood Bird gardens
Chestnut centre
Chester zoo
Twycross zoo
Blackbrook zoo
Butterfly farm
Graves park animal farm
Lotherton hall
Yorkshire sculpture park
Drayton manor park

If people are seriously interested in any one of these - why don't we start voting for our favourite choice.
Also, if anyone really wants to come along, but has serious objections to any (like already stated about Butterfly farm at this time of year) & we can start crossing some off the list.

I think it generally boils down to how much, if anything, people are willing to pay & how far they are willing to travel.

I'm sure all of us who have already met would be happy to car share, but how about others who havn't been out with us yet?

[checknumber]

There are quite a few very good suggestions for shoots , but I just wondered if it was possible to fit in/explore a few more local central sheffield venues for people who probably havent got the time to travel to far or have to rely on public transport. And also probably missed the beginning of the SF photo walks , just wondered what peoples thoughts were

[ImpInaBox]

Evening in the city center? Plenty to photograph around Peace Garden fountains, Winter Gardens, Milenium Gallery etc. Def need a tripod tho.

[GrinderBloke]

Sheffield has some wonderful green spaces within its boundaries... Norfolk, Graves, Encliffe Parks to name three.