A Tolkein Place (Red Squirrel).jpg - Under license from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in Connemara in Ireland a conservation programme was designed by the Zoology Department of Galway University to establish Red squirrels in Derryclare Woodland. The programme has been successful and the squirrels are becoming well established. Man has taken an active part to help re-establish the squirrels and by so doing maintains a special environment. The habitat is ideal with both hazel trees and conifer trees and as a result the squirrels are increasing in numbers. Its a Tolkein place where the branches are clothed in a skin of moss and lichen. It is a primitive place worth preserving in this fast changing land.
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A TOLKEIN PLACE (RED SQUIRREL)

Ahead of the Herd.jpg - Red Deer stag with his herd in the background taken on Mangerton Mountain in Co. kerry
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AHEAD OF THE HERD

Bolt Hole.jpg - Rabbit on Great Blasket
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BOLT HOLE

Bubble Bath.jpg - Grey Seal on Inishark off the coast of Galway
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BUBBLE BATH

Caha mountain Goats-Sheena Jolley.jpg - Caha Mountains just beyond Glengarriff, feral goats,
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CAHA MOUNTAIN GOATS-SHEENA JOLLEY

Call of the Sea.jpg - I photographed these Grey Seals in October on the islands off the west of Ireland. The pups are born on the rocky shore and spend a few months there before going to sea. I wanted to show how vulnerable the young seals are both on the rocky shoreline and when taking that big plunge into the ocean. I wanted to convey the harsh environment into which they are born. In fact this winter has been particularly harsh with many storm force winds and the resultant high seas. Sadly both human lives and animals were lost at sea. Many seal pups were washed ashore off the Irish coast. The shot seems all the more poignant as I took it at the end of the day. Lets hope this one made it.
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CALL OF THE SEA

Cat Crainn-Pine Martin.jpg -
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CAT CRAINN-PINE MARTIN

Clash of Whiskers.jpg - I photographed these Grey Seals in October on the islands off the west of Ireland. The pups are born on the rocky shore in the autumn and spend a few months there before going to sea. The mothers are very protective of their pups and warn off any other female that gets too close.
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CLASH OF WHISKERS

Come Away to the Waters.jpg - The Grey Seal is an inquisitive and curious creature. This endearing quality and their big brown eyes makes one believe all the myths and legends associated with them. This was shot on the island of Inishark off the west coast of ireland
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COME AWAY TO THE WATERS

Common Seal (Still Waters).jpg - Common Seal in waters off Glengarriff
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COMMON SEAL (STILL WATERS)

Common Seal Nursing Pup.jpg - Off the south west coast of Ireland at the end of Bantry Bay lies Glengarriff Harbour with many rocky outcrops providing safe sanctuaries for the seals to bask and rest. I quietly glided between the rocks in a small rubber dingy and was lucky to have a few seconds before mother and pup disappeared into the water.
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COMMON SEAL NURSING PUP

Deer on the Run.jpg - Red Deer On Innishtrahull Island
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DEER ON THE RUN

Fight for Survival.jpg - I photographed these Grey Seals in October on the islands off the west of Ireland. The pups are born on the rocky shore in the autumn and spend a few months there before going to sea. The mothers are very protective of their pups and warn off any other female that gets too close.
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FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

Fox.jpg -
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FOX

Giving Out.jpg - Grey Seals on Inishark. I photographed these Grey Seals in October on the islands off the west of Ireland. The pups are born on the rocky shore in the autumn and spend a few months there before going to sea. The mothers are very protective of their pups and warn off any other female that gets too close.
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GIVING OUT

Grab It While You Can.jpg -
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GRAB IT WHILE YOU CAN

Grey Seal Feeding on Mackerel.jpg - I often see Grey Seals in the harbour at Kinsale in Ireland. I wanted to capture one in a different light and this one obliged early one August morning by appearing against the light with a Mackerel in its mouth. The next second he and the Mackerel were gone.
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GREY SEAL FEEDING ON MACKEREL

Grey Seal Feeding Pup(The Milky Way).jpg - Grey Seal pups are born in the autumn covered in thick white fur.I photographed these Grey Seals in October on the islands off the west of Ireland. The pups are born on the rocky shore and spend a few months there before going to sea.They are very vulnerable being pushed and shoved a great deal. The mothers, so swift and agile in the water, are fairly helpless to protect their young on shore. However, They provide rich milk whenever they can and the young pup puts on pounds every day. This patch of sand made life more comfortable for mother and pup.
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GREY SEAL FEEDING PUP(THE MILKY WAY)

Grey Seal Pup - The Milky Way Kid.jpg - Grey Seal pups are born in the autumn covered in thick white fur. They are born in October on the islands off the west of Ireland on the rocky shore and spend a few months there before going to sea.They are very vulnerable being pushed and shoved a great deal. The mothers, so swift and agile in the water, are fairly helpless to protect their young on shore. However, They provide rich milk whenever they can and the young pup puts on pounds every day.
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GREY SEAL PUP - THE MILKY WAY KID

Gutted.jpg - I took this shot from Inishtrahull Island which is 7 miles off the northern coast of Ireland. The Grey Seal pup has sustained a deep gash from fishing gut probably as a result of getting his head caught in a net. It looks like a seriously deep injury. The gut wil become more embedded as the young seal grows and it will eventually cause him to die in a painful way.
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GUTTED

Hard Being a Pup copy.jpg - A young Grey Seal pup clings precariously to a rock on Little Skellig
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HARD BEING A PUP COPY

Hare of the Old Head.jpg - Hare, Old Head of kinsale, I found this hare resting in the long grass on the golf links.
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HARE OF THE OLD HEAD

High Alert (Red Deer).jpg -
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HIGH ALERT (RED DEER)

Hold Back the Waves.jpg -
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HOLD BACK THE WAVES

It's Hard being a Pup.jpg - Grey Seal pups are born in the autumn covered in thick white fur.I photographed this mother feeding her young cub in October on the islands off the west of Ireland where the Grey Seals haul out on their traditional breeding grounds on rocky islands and sandy bays. After eleven months' gestation the female gives birth to one single pup, which, although big and well developed, is not nearly as independent as a new born Common Seal, which sheds its furry coat immediately after birth in the spring and can swim with the herd only a few hours later. The Grey Seal pups keep their white curly coats and cling to the land for two perilous weeks. Their mother's milk is so rich in fat that they put on pounds every day. After being pushed and shoved a great deal they finally overcome their fear of water. Toward the end of autumn the bull herds together the cows which belong to him and soon afterwards hunger forces their deserted young to learn to fish. The young seals are born into a harsh environment and within weeks have to survive the oncoming winter. In fact recent winters have been particularly harsh with many storm force winds and the resultant high seas. Sadly both human lives and animals were lost at sea. Last year many seal pups were washed ashore off the Irish coast.
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IT'S HARD BEING A PUP

Just One Then (Grey Seals).jpg - Grey Seals spend much of their life at sea and only really come to land in the autumn breeding season. It was a priviledge to watch the actions of this bull and cow which seemed at times loving and at times aggressive.
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JUST ONE THEN (GREY SEALS)

Let's Play 2.jpg - Early morning near Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, two fox cubs playing and learning to hunt.
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LET'S PLAY 2

Lets Play.jpg - Early morning near Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, two fox cubs playing and learning to hunt.
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LETS PLAY

Magic Moment.jpg - A doting grey seal mother watches her healthy pup amongst the colourful rock formations on Inishark
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MAGIC MOMENT

Making Waves.jpg - I had been out on a fishing boat all day trying to get shots of sea birds. We were motoring for home when this Grey Seal appeared and started to follow us. The inquisitive nature of the grey seal is perfectly shown by this brave character as you can see from his eye contact and the speed at which he is moving through the water.
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MAKING WAVES

Mating Grey Seals.jpg - After eleven months' gestation the female Grey Seal gives birth to one single pup.Grey Seals haul out on their traditional breeding grounds on rocky islands and sandy bays off the West of Ireland. The young seals are born into a harsh environment and within weeks have to survive the oncoming winter. The pups keep their white curly coats and cling to the land for two perilous weeks. Their mother's milk is so rich in fat that they put on pounds every day. After being pushed and shoved a great deal they finally overcome their fear of water. Toward the end of autumn the bull herds together the cows which belong to him and soon afterwards hunger forces their deserted young to learn to fish. I spotted these seals mating in the water when I was photographing the young which had recently been born.It was a scene I had not witnessed before and was lucky to capture it in fairly shallow water with the waves breaking.
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MATING GREY SEALS

Nature and Nurture.jpg - Grey Seal mother and pup struggling to survive in a harsh environment
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NATURE AND NURTURE

Nurture Between Waves.jpg -
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NURTURE BETWEEN WAVES

Pause to Feed.jpg - Grey seal feeding pup but keeping a watchful eye too for signs of danger
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PAUSE TO FEED

Perfect Camouflage.jpg - This new born Grey Seal pup is perfectly camouflaged against the harsh surrondings into which it is born on the rocky shore of the uninhabited island of Inishark off the west coast of Ireland. Being born in October and having to face the storm batterd coast it is a wonder that any survive this harsh start to life
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PERFECT CAMOUFLAGE

Pine Martin.jpg - The Irish name for Pine Marten is Cat Criann meaning Tree Cat or Cat of the Woods. It is one of Ireland's most exquisite native mammals. They exist mainly in the south and west but were once widespread throughout Ireland. However, they are very timid and difficult to see. I waited every morning for a week to catch this one taking food from a birdtable in a garden in Letterfrack, Co. Galway, Ireland
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PINE MARTIN

Portrait of a Grey Seal.jpg - I photographed these Grey Seals in October on the island of Inishark off the west of Ireland. Grey Seals spend much of their life at sea and only really come to land in the autumn breeding season. They haul out on their traditional breeding grounds on rocky islands and sandy bays off the West of Ireland. The young seals are born into a harsh environment and within weeks have to survive the oncoming winter. The mothers are never far away and I wanted to catch them against the evening light coming back to shore to feed their pups
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PORTRAIT OF A GREY SEAL

Pride of Place.jpg - Red Deer stag taken on Mangerton Mountain in Co. Kerry
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PRIDE OF PLACE

Pup Portrait.jpg - Grey Seal pups are born in the autumn covered in thick white fur.I photographed this young cub in October on the islands off the west of Ireland where the Grey Seals haul out on their traditional breeding grounds on rocky islands and sandy bays. After eleven months' gestation the female gives birth to one single pup, which, although big and well developed, is not nearly as independent as a new born Common Seal,.
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PUP PORTRAIT

Rabbit Watch (Tory Island).jpg - Tory Island off the north west coast of Ireland is inundated with a large rabbit population. In fact I have never seen so many rabbits in one place. They seem to thrive all over the island. I took this shot in the evening when they were coming out of their burrows.
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RABBIT WATCH (TORY ISLAND)

Red Alert.jpg - I spotted this hare late in the evening near Ballagh Bearna Gap high up in the Highlands of Kerry. He allowed me to watch him for another hour.
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RED ALERT

Red Deer on Inishtrahull Island.jpg -
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RED DEER ON INISHTRAHULL ISLAND

Red Squirrel (Vertical Descent).jpg -
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RED SQUIRREL (VERTICAL DESCENT)

Red Squirrel Recovery.jpg -
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RED SQUIRREL RECOVERY

Red Squirrel.jpg -
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RED SQUIRREL

Safely Home.jpg -
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SAFELY HOME

Sea Fairy.jpg - I photographed this grey seal pup on the island of Inishark in November. I think he was enticing me into the waters!
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SEA FAIRY

Seal Claw.jpg - Grey Seal Pup's claw, close up
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SEAL CLAW

Seal Morning.jpg -
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SEAL MORNING

Seal scape.jpg - I photographed these Grey Seals in October on the island of Inishark off the west of Ireland. Grey Seals spend much of their life at sea and only really come to land in the autumn breeding season. They haul out on their traditional breeding grounds on rocky islands and sandy bays off the West of Ireland. The young seals are born into a harsh environment and within weeks have to survive the oncoming winter. The mothers are never far away and I wanted to catch them against the evening light coming back to shore to feed their pups
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SEAL SCAPE

Seal Weed.jpg - I shot this seal off the west coast of Ireland. Each pup has its own character. This little fellow was completely undisturbed by my presence and constantly surfaced demonstrating both curiosity and playfulness.
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SEAL WEED

Sika Deer.jpg -
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SIKA DEER

Soul of a Man.jpg - I photographed this grey seal pup on the island of Inishark in November. I think he was enticing me into the waters!
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SOUL OF A MAN

Surfing Seal.jpg - grey Seal
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SURFING SEAL

The Mermaid.jpg -
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THE MERMAID

The People of the Sea (Grey Seal).jpg - The Grey Seal is an inquisitive and curious creature. This endearing quality and their big brown eyes makes one believe all the myths and legends associated with them. This was shot on the island of Inishark off the west coast of ireland
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THE PEOPLE OF THE SEA (GREY SEAL)

The Real Jaws (Basking Shark).jpg - I managed to shoot this photograph by going out to sea on a small boat which put me low to the water level and up close to a Basking Shark. It was a very calm day and you could clearly see the shark below the surface. I managed to get the right angle of light on the water to get this image. It shows the shark fin moving through the water surrounded by the reflection of the sky and cliffs above.
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THE REAL JAWS (BASKING SHARK)

Wild Goat on East Skeam.jpg -
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WILD GOAT ON EAST SKEAM

Wild Goats on East Skean - Roaring Water Bay - West Cork.jpg - Wild Goats on East Skean, Roaring Water Bay, West Cork
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WILD GOATS ON EAST SKEAN - ROARING WATER BAY - WEST CORK

Wild Goats.jpg - Taken near Glengarrif
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WILD GOATS

You First.jpg - In August 2006 I stayed on Inishtrahull Island which is the most northerly point of Irealnd. A small community used to live here but since the automation of the lighthouse it has been uninhabited. A force 10 gale blew up isolating us and making it impossible to either take-off or land on the island by any means. It became a truly wild and furious place. One could not but wonder at the power and size of the waves which crashed over the rocks below the lighthouse. I was amazed when I spotted these Grey seals in the middle of this turbulent sea and it seemed to me they were staying close together for safety. Although I used a tripod for the shot I had to use a fast shutter speed to negate the effects of the wind.
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YOU FIRST