It looks like you do not have to travel halfway round the world to take
stunning wildlife photos.

Photographer Andrew Marshall, from Leafield near Witney, has released a new book displaying some of the UK’s most elusive and fascinating animals in photo form.

Photographing Wildlife in the UK contains more than 450 photographs taken in about 70 locations around the UK, from the Isle of Mull in Scotland down to Snettisham in Norfolk.

Mr Marshall, 51, took up photography as a serious hobby after a trip to South Africa five years ago, where he snapped animals he
encountered while on safari.

He said: “When I was out there I bought some good quality camera equipment and when I returned I started to work out where locally I could take photos of great wildlife.”

The father-of-two also spent time taking pictures at the RSPB’s local reserve in Otmoor, and travelled further to places such as Dumfries in Scotland to find different species for the book.

He added: “There was a big influx of shorteared owls, which are really photogenic and very sought after by photographers.

“I had to spend a lot of time waiting and you need a lot of patience, sometimes though you can be incredibly lucky.”

The book itself has been three years in the making, with Mr Marshall finding it tough deciding which photos to include in the final version.

He said: “We chose the photos that I was most passionate about, I wanted the most photogenic animals and the most charismatic.

“There were certain key species to cover, there was an area of Scotland to find sparrowhawks – which were spectacular.

“The wildlife is very different here. In Africa it is easier to approach the larger animals if you are on a safari, but back home it can be harder to photograph the smaller species.

“It is fantastic to have the book out though.

“It’s the first thing I’ve had published and I’m really pleased with the quality of the finish.”

Mr Marshall, who owns his own landscape gardening business, has also travelled the world to photograph rare species, including countries such as Tanzania, Venezuela, Nepal and Australia.

The book contains tips for aspiring photographers, including what kit to buy and how to adjust photos for focus, shutter speed and exposure.

The foreword to the book has been written by television presenter and Welsh naturalist Iolo Williams, who wrote: “This book is a wildlife photographer’s bible.

“This guidebook will prove invaluable to beginners and experienced wildlife
photographers alike.”

Photographing Wildlife in the UK is available at £22.50 at gowildlandscapesphoto.com.