‘A Walk on the Wild Side as Seen Through the Eyes of a Fox’, was the intriguing title for the Audio Visual and print presentation on 8^th October from Peter Baker LRPS, DPAGB, who dedicated his talk to the late Peter Wilkinson, his dear friend and mentor from Selby Photographic Society who died just the previous week.

The ‘fox’ in the title referred to the persecution of its family, leaving us not mawkishly sentimental but certainly sad, mad even, discovering 4 out of 5 adults and one pup were dead in as many weeks (!) but Peter’s images left us wondrously fascinated, delighted and elated in good measure.

Peter’s first sequence was taken over 30 acres of farmland around Barlow, where he lives and where he has set up hides, one for foxes and one for badgers. Using the very professional Procho Gold digital AV software with beautifully scripted captions, his programme grabbed us from the start with images dissolving and peeling off each other with Country and Western music playing, perfectly matching the mood. Advising us how to set ourselves up with hide and the essential ‘feeding’ pole with seeds and peanuts implanted in it, we were amused by blue tits, tree creepers and the female Great Spotted Woodpecker and her son each ‘tapping’ at opposite sides!

All manner of animals crossed Peter’s path, an inquisitive rabbit, the Common Grey squirrel, a deer family, snake, rats, mice and more birds, the robin, a Barn owl, and a Kingfisher, all photographed with utmost precision. Peter couldn’t emphasise enough that a knowledge of these creatures’ habits is vital in order to succeed .

Having been born in Kenya, Peter set out for a pilgrimage to the African continent, where he found larger game: a Hippo pool, zebras, elephants, baboons and a lioness. As a preparation, he had practiced his craft on animals in the local zoo.

One more place for Peter to explore and his slick, artistic talent took in the Omaha beaches featured in the Second World War. The cemetery full of white crosses made wonderful patterns when Peter zoomed his camera lens in and out from differing angles! The caption read ‘Lest we forget’.

On a different plane, we’ll certainly not forget Baker’s huge talent which earned him the Licentiateship distinction from the Royal Photographic Society. We urge Peter to apply for the Associateship right now (!) and who knows, the final accolade, that of the Fellowship might be just around the corner!

Kay Aldcroft LRPS

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