What does 2014 hold in store?

It's that time of year when there are lots of threads looking back at the last twelve months. I thought I'd do one looking forward instead: tell us about what you expect to get up to in twenty fourteen.

I have a couple of trips planned. April will see my first visit to South America, with some time in the rain forest of Ecuador, before a week spent in the Galapagos. The excitement levels are starting to rise! After that I also have nights booked on the Welsh island of Skomer, where I'll spend a few days photographing a Puffin colony again. I went there for the first time this year and I immediately fell for the place. Skomer flickr set. Closer to home, I don't have any sort of project on the go at the moment. My plan is to talk to a farmer I know and see if I can use his land to construct a reflection pool come feeding station.

Two domestic trips trips planned so far. One is shooting wildlife in Minnesota in the summer and the second is a raptor shoot in Colorado in the fall. There will be lots of shorter local trips as well.

But the most important photographic item in 2014 is to finalize the arrangements for 3 weeks in Kenya in 2015. The wife can't wait to get back to Africa. Remember...a happy wife is a happy life.

What are the target species in Minnesota?

Whatever is available. Hopefully bears, wolves, cats and maybe some raptors. We have need been in that neck of the woods before.

MCAsan wrote in post #16557585
Whatever is available. Hopefully bears, wolves, cats and maybe some raptors. We have need been in that neck of the woods before.

There's also a pretty healthy white-tailed deer population in MN as well. Where in MN are you planning on being? If you're looking for black bears, check out the Vincent Shute WIldlife Sanctuary. I haven't been there myself, but I've heard it's a great place for viewing and photographing black bears. If you find a good spot in MN to photograph wolves, let me know

Our main trip next year is Africa.
6 nights in the Okavango at 2 different camps. 2 nights in Victoria Falls. 3 nights each in the Mara and Serengeti and finish off in Rwanda with 2 Gorilla treks.

Can't wait

So nobody else has any thoughts on what 2014 might hold for them? It doesn't have to be grand trips, I'm just as interested to hear about simple projects.

I have a cottage booked for Easter week up on the Isle of Mull so looking forward to photographing the Sea Eagles again up there, along with anything else that may turn up (hopefully some closer opportunities with Otters this year!!).

I've also got friendly with a couple up in the Yorkshire Dales who have Red Squirrels coming into their garden on a regular basis & they also have access to a private hide for Black Grouse.

I've also been asked to take a stand at our local village craft fair held in the summer with some of my photos being made available. Flattered that they think they're up to standard.

Lastly, not wildlife, but we have the Grand Depart of the Tour De France passing right by the village where I live in Yorkshire so it would be too good an opportunity to miss!!

All the best for 2014,

Richard

Not planning any long trips this year but if the eagles arrive this year, will possibly take a weekend plus a day or so and hit the locks and dams for eagles. Will visit Seney NWR at least twice. Shiawassee NWR a couple of times, and several other day and weekend trips around the state. That alone with doing some photo work with loons on local lakes in the state forests around the area. It will keep us busy.

I'm hoping this summer I can get up to Yellowstone. I've never been there.
A couple buddies want me to go with them in March for winter shots but I don't
think that will be possible.

As always local AZ trips to the white mountains and northern AZ.

Hoping to make my first visit to Yellowstone or maine in the fall.

Heading to Alaska this summer for the bears. Local duck trips, nothing major there. Possibly GNP in early June. Couple shows for some money, hopefully a couple equipment upgrades.

Oh yeah, baby #2 in April.

I haven't had my 400 5.6 long. I plan this year to get more shots of Kingfisher at my local river. More birds of prey in Scotland. The Osprey will be coming back in the spring so that's one of my goals. Shots of Sea Eagles in Skye too (maybe)

Kingfisher in the wild with no baiting is my key goal though.

Maybe a Tamron 150-600.....they ship this weekend.