This site has been created by Peter Stevens, Rochdale, Lancs, England

All images ©Peter Stevens

Summit of Carrauntoohil, Kerry, Ireland 2004

I am interested in natural history generally and in particular wildlife photography . I have tried to include a selection of local North-West images as well as some from trips further away . I have recently expanded beyond Bird photography to Moths, Dragonflies, Butterflies and Fungi. I have still not really studied flowering plants.

Equipment

I am currently using Nikon D200 and D700 digital SLR's for the majority of my photos.  For macro work I use a Nikon AF-S VR 105mm F2.8 which produces excellent results. The Nikon 105mm is excellent with a 1.4 X converter, especially for butterflies. I also use a Nikon 80-200 zoom F2.8, a Sigma 105mm Macro and a Sigma 300mm F2.8 lenses. I have found both Sigma lenses perform very well but the 300mm does deteriorate with a 2X converter but is fine with the 1.4X. The Sigma 105mm lens works very well with the Kenko extension tubes. The Nikon 80-200 is very sharp and great for birds in flight. It also works well with a Kenko pro 1.4 X converter.

Some of the macro shots have been taken with a Nikon Coolpix 995, using a remote release MC-EU1. I also occasionally use a flash extension bracket  (Nikon SK-E900) and a Nikon SB-22 flashgun with the Coolpix. The Coolpix 995 can also be attached to my dissecting microscope for microscopic images.

I Digiscope using a Kyocera SL400R and a Pennine camera's adapter on a Zeiss 85mm angled telescope with zoom eyepiece

A Nikon P6000 is also used for group shots and some macro work. Its easy to carry and has produced some excellent results.

Other equipment includes:- 

Gitzo tripod (G1325), Arca ball head and Wimberley sidekick

Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 with Acratech ball head. This is really light and versatile.

Benbo Trekker tripod with Manfrotto 322RC2 head

Manfrotto 055V tripod with 700RC2 head

Nikon ED50 angled telescope

Nikon SB-28 and SB-800 flashguns

Kenko Extension tubes

My background

I was born in Helpston, Peterborough, Cambs. I went to Deacon's Grammar School, Peterborough (11-18yrs). On to University in Bradford where I graduated with a degree in Medical Sciences. I then completed a PGCE in further and higher education at Huddersfield Polytechnic.  I have worked in colleges in Fareham, Hants and Rochdale, Lancs. I am currently Head of  Science and a Senior Tutor at Bury College, Lancs, where I  have worked as a lecturer in biological science for over 20 years. Until recently I also worked for the Open University, teaching a computing module. 

I have represented Great Britain at World and European Championships in Triathlon and Swimming in the Masters classification.