My name is Rossa Bracken and I’m 12 years old. I would like to tell you about my hobby – wildlife photography. My photos are mostly of the local wildlife here in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Co Laois, images that I have taken on walks through the forests.

The animals are mostly captured by chance. Some people like to use photographic hides. These allow you to stake out the wildlife from a hide that has been built especially for photographers to get up close. The wildlife are fed regularly at the same time close to the hide so it’s easier to see them.

I have a particular love of deer and our local deer are wild fallows and I love how curious they are. When they spot me, they will stop for a few seconds to check me out and then I get the opportunity to get as many photos as possible as quickly as I can.

I have been very lucky as one of my photographs won two competitions, Cruinniú na nÓg, and the April 2021 Irish Wildlife Trust competition where it got over 1,900 likes.

It is a picture of three fallow does that just turned to look back at me at the same time, before disappearing into the woods seconds later. It’s moments like those that give me great pleasure and great memories.

Wildlife photography is a great way to get outdoors to learn about birds and animals in your area. There are amazing Facebook pages of different animal and bird groups that can offer advice and help you identify your findings.

My favourite group is Ireland’s Wild Birds and Animals. The group has been so helpful and encouraging to me with their advice and information.

I have a Facebook page, YouTube channel and Instagram @boyandcamerarossa. My next project is for some short clips about our local wildlife that have been requested by primary school teachers.

Rare

During the pandemic, older people commented that they loved seeing my photographs of wildlife and wanted to see more so I kept trying harder to find birds that are rare like the hen harriers, woodcocks and buzzards.

I have also travelled around Ireland to get birds and animals that are not here in my area like puffins, red kites, white fallows and red deer, are just some of them.

You don’t need a lot to start, just a camera or your phone and head out for a walk or check out your bird feeders.

There’s so much out there no matter where you live.

What to watch out for

Some species to watch out for in the Irish countryside.

  • Fallow deer: these are the most widespread deer in Ireland and are the second largest species of deer after the red deer. Females are called does and males are called bucks. They were introduced into Ireland by wealthy landowners and escaped or were released.
  • Red deer: the largest deer species and native to Ireland.
  • Pine marten: native to Ireland and one of Ireland’s rarest mammals numbering approximately 2,700.
  • Woodcock: these arrive from Scandinavia and look like large snipe.

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    This week in photos: mart visit, new calves and some pedigree sheep.

    This week in photos: sheep, ploughing and a tractor run