World of wild animals all photographed in Knowsley

May 6 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

baboon at Knowsley Safari Park

A PHOTOGRAPHIC guide to wild creatures from all over the world has been produced without the photographer ever having to leave Merseyside.

Knowsley Safari Park’s new official guide is the first in its 37-year history to be totally produced by a local photographer featuring only its own exhibits.

Past editions have been illustrated by a wide range of specialist wildlife photographers from all over the country – and even library shots when the Knowsley animals proved to be particularly elusive.

But this time around, award-winning park photographer Penny Boyd has spent hundreds of hours on “stakeouts” at the attraction and taken thousands of shots in the search for the 80 or so images that finally made it into the book.

These range from spectacular shots of elephants, rhinos and the big cats through to Bug House attractions like frogs, spiders and other insects.

The photos of baby animals, and parents tending their young, are proving particularly popular with visitors.

It has all been a labour of love for Penny, who can spend days waiting to capture just one shot that she is looking for.

“The problem is that you can’t pose up wildlife,” she said. “You just have wait until the animal is in the position you want at the same time that the light is right, however long that takes.”

According to Penny, it is eyes that are often the key to the success of a photo.

“A large number of the images in the book feature the lens making eye contact with the animals and there is something really special about this interaction.”

Penny finds Knowsley’s mischievous troop of baboons the most enjoyable to photograph. But her favourite image in the book is a remarkable shot of the park’s pack of rare African Hunting Dogs.

“I haven’t chosen this one for its technical quality,” she explained.

“I just love the way the six dogs are standing in what is almost a military-style formation. I could sit by their enclosure for years and never get a similar shot again.”

Safari Park general manager David Ross is delighted with the new guide: “We’ve probably produced around 25 editions since we opened in 1971, but this is by far our biggest and best yet.

“Penny has done a fantastic job and this is being reflected in the very positive feedback we’re getting on the publication from visitors – it's selling incredibly well.”

For Penny, however, producing images for the guide looks set to become a task akin to painting the Forth Road Bridge.

“I’ve already started work on the shots for the next edition in 2010,” she said.

“As wildlife photography is such a slow job, I’m giving myself as long as possible to gather together the photos we’ll need to improve the guide again in two years’ time.”

richarddown