"I love the challenge of taking a picture of birds in flight"

This week, Ann O’Donnell shares some of her favourite photographs.

Ann is from Newton-le-Willows and likes to take pictures locally at Carr Mill Dam and Taylor Park.

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Ann O'Donnell (Photo Andrew Goodfellow)

When and why did you take up photography?

I am a carer for my husband and the Carers’ Centre signposted me to Adult and Community Learning. I chose a photography course run by David Knowles.

A kestrel in Newton-le-Willows

What do you love about taking pictures?

Taking photos is my chill time. My mind is on taking the best photo I can. I love the challenge of taking a picture of birds in flight, waiting patiently for a kingfisher to appear or watching a heron take off.

Burst of sunlight at Windle

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A swan and cygnets at Vulcan Village

Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

I have never driven so I take most of my photos locally. Taylor Park is just minutes away from me. The Ship Inn to Carr Mill Dam is a lovely walk and Spike Island is two buses away, My friend Paul loves photography like I do and we travel together a little further afield to Lunt Meadow, Leighton Moss and Anglesey.

Two foxes at Fox Wood

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

I love wild life - the wilder the better! I also enjoy visiting Knowsley Safari Park and the gauntlet birds of prey. It’s a fantastic place to see birds of prey in flight.

River Seiont at Caernarfon

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Amateur photographer loves spotting elusive kingfishers by the water

What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook?

What a wonderful group the Camera club is! It’s so friendly and inclusive and no one is made to feel that their photos are not good enough. It is so lovely to see other people’s ideas and how they’ve taken photos as they’re often ways I’ve not thought about.

A white-tailed eagle at Knowsley Safari Park

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

I would love to see big cats in the wild. I’d also enjoy a cruise to see the Norwegian fjords. Top of the list is to spot a white tailed sea Eagle fishing - how amazing would that be?