Capturing the Wild with Photographer Karen Miller
Sep 9, 2026 · 24m
Summary
Former BBC colleague Karen Miller discusses her leap into wildlife photography, sharing her passion for capturing the essence of animals in a local woodland. She highlights the importance of patience, heated gear for winter shoots, and ethical practices like respecting animal stress signals. The episode features a live session observing red squirrels and bank voles, alongside insights on using trail cameras to monitor nocturnal visitors like pine martens.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Karen Miller and her new life
The local woodland behind Karen's house
Discovering the clearing and observing squirrels
Building trust with wildlife and photography tips
Karen's journey from BBC to wildlife photography
Key principles of wildlife photography
Animal senses and hide etiquette
The heated cushion and winter photography comfort
Current wildlife: voles, shrews, and feeding habits
Lighting conditions and setting up the site
Observing voles and the unpredictability of wildlife
Spotting and identifying the voles
Photographing voles and the joy of noticing nature
Bird identification apps and enriched walks
Seasonal wildlife and capturing animal essence
Ethical photography and respecting animal stress
Birds at the feeder and long-tailed tits
Coping with cold weather and heated gear
A story of patience with a mountain hare
Using trail cameras to monitor nocturnal wildlife
Feeding squirrels with antlers and hazelnuts
Life changes and lessons from the BBC
Closing remarks and podcast credits
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