THE News & Mail’s wildlife expert has compiled a collection of the stunning photographs he has taken over many years, detailing where and how he took the shots.

Dave Foker’s book, Photographing British Wildlife, reflects birds and animals that can typically be seen and photographed each month in the British Isles.

The cover is his photograph of a badger, titled On The Move, that was the overall winner of the BBC’s Countryfile Calendar competition in 2013.

Dave, who lives in Knaphill and teaches photography at Richmond-upon-Thames College, writes a regular column on local wildlife for the News & Mail. 

He has been taking wildlife photographs for more than 50 years.

“My book is 400 pages and contains detailed pictures and information about where to find wildlife and how to photograph it,” he said.

“It’s all wildlife that is found in Britain and most of the photographs have been taken in the south and many in this area which, of course, is the area I know best. 

“My favourite pictures are probably the kingfisher in Arundel and the diving white-tailed eagle on Mull in Scotland. 

“I also really like the photograph I took of a marsh harrier in flight.”

Each picture is labelled with the location where it was taken and the details of the camera settings used to take it.

Dave’s guidance to photographers setting out to picture wildlife includes framing the subject using the “rule of thirds”, through turning on the camera’s viewfinder grid.

He says of his photo of a lapwing: “Utilising the rule of thirds, the bird is at the edge of the frame and flying into the space. 

“The rule of thirds works well in that particular shot. While it may be prudent to remember rules can be broken, it is always best to familiarise yourself with the rules before breaking them.

“Teaching photography and having desktop publishing and Photoshop skills have enabled me to put the book together myself. 

“I have accumulated so many pictures over the years that I felt it was time to do something with them.”

David has had published photographic wildlife diaries for 2015 and 2016 and a book called British Wildlife.

His books can be bought in the bookstore section at www.blurb.co.uk 

Find out more about Dave’s work at www.davefoker.co.uk