Photographer finds a hidden gem

PHOTOGRAPHER Mike McFarlane was unsure whether or not Alderney would have much to offer when he flew into the island for the first time. But just a few hours into his week-long visit, the 37-year-old realised he had found a hidden gem.

Mike (pictured), who was commissioned to visit the island by The Wildlife Trusts - a body committed to conserving natural habitats across the British Isles - said the island was home to much more than he expected.

'Alderney was amazing - and it was a real surprise, to be honest,' he said. 'I looked at the size of the place from the plane and I wasn't sure how I was going to fill a week. But in the end, I could have easily spent a month in the island.'

Using mainly public transport and a bicycle, Mike will cover thousands of miles for a Wildlife Trusts project that will see him create 360-degree images of landscape-scale conservation schemes.

He has already spent time in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and the Peak District and, following a week's rest, he travelled to Alderney.

'On a personal level, I really enjoyed the character of the island,' said Mike. 'The people are very friendly and genuinely welcoming. I also enjoyed the bakery and the food.

'As a photographer, it's a fantastic place to go if you're interested in landscape. I was in Telegraph Bay during a thunderstorm and it was something else - the colours created by the light were extraordinary.'

Mike, who gave up a career in engineering seven years ago to concentrate on photography, was particularly impressed with Alderney's gannets.

'They're quite a sight,' he said. 'Alderney's wildlife and botany are both brilliant.'

Mike, who lives in Newcastle but is originally from Dundee, went on to describe what his panoramic images will look like.

'It can look like one of two things. If you show it on the internet, it will make you feel like you're standing on the spot and looking all around you, as well as up and down. You can also use video and photography to get a look and feel for it.

'The other shot is similar to an atlas, so rather than seeing a sphere you have a flat photograph. It gives you a real feel for the event and always offers interesting results.'

Alderney Wildlife Trust's conservation officer Julie Henney said Mike's work would complement the island's Living Landscapes project, which is looking at how to preserve the island's nature reserves and open spaces.

'We believe this project will help illustrate how closely nature ties in with the way we live our lives,' she said.

Mike, who stayed at Saye Campsite during his visit, said Living Landscapes considers the future of conservation.

'It's all about managing the landscape and dealing with all the issues around that, including the number of different people and groups who use the land. It looks at working with everybody who has a vested interest in the land. Alderney's a very good example of that, because on such a small island everybody has to work together.'

The photographer went on to say he enjoyed flying in a Trislander - despite the fact he is trying to keep his carbon footprint small throughout the 120-venue journey.

'I'm used to small planes as my mother-in-law lives in Shetland,' he said. 'We've tried to avoid air travel and have mostly used bikes and trains, which have given us somewhere close to a 45% saving on our carbon footprint.'

Mike's Alderney images will be ready to view in a week's time, from when the local Wildlife Trust will decide when they go on display.

The full virtual tours created by Mike will go on show in a year's time, as part of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts' centenary.

l For further information on the project and to follow Mike on his travels, visit www.mikemcfarlane.co.uk.