Short-eared owl at Skomer I was amazed this week to find out that my photograph of a short-eared owl hunting over a carpet of bluebells and red campion on Skomer Island had been one of just 10 images shortlisted for a celebration of 70 years of UK National Parks.  You can see all shortlisted images and the winning shot here on the Guardian website.

Wildlife photography has been a passion of mine for over a decade and, whilst I don't do it commercially, it really has been the catalyst for my taking up the camera as a full time job.  One of the first birds I photographed was this Bearded-Tit at Cosmeston Park in Penarth.  It was so obliging and would happily sit on a reed within feet of the busy boardwalk. Foolishly I assumed all wildlife photography would be this simple.

Bearded Tit at Cosmeston

Since that time I've photographed the UK's stunning wildlife as often as I can and nowhere has been more rewarding than the highlands of Scotland where I've encountered masses of wildlife including this cheeky Red Squirrel, the elusive Crested Tit and the bubbling Red Grouse.

Red Squirrel at Loch Garten Crested Tit in Cairngorm Red Grouse at Lochindorb Aside from Skomer possibly the most impressive wildlife experience in Wales for me has to be the incredible sight of hundreds of Red Kite swirling in the updrafts at Gigrin Farm. I'd seen plenty of kites before heading to Gigrin but nothing could prepare me for the awesome, uplifting experience of so many stunning birds in one location.

Red Kites at Gigrin Farm I really hope that the NP70 campaign and the photographs taken by wildlife photographers everywhere inspire you to get outside and engage with our natural wonders and, just as importantly, inspire you to add your voice to the many demanding that we address the crisis that is threatening its existence.

Yellowhammer at Findhorn Bay