Well, the Brighton Art Fair already seems like a distant memory, although it is barely a week since everything was packed up and shipped out. The event was extremely busy over the three full days it was in operation, and I’m certainly looking forward to being there again next year.

Andy Skillen with Sophie Corbett

I’d like to also extend a big “thank-you” to friends old and new that stopped by to view the photos on display, and an extra bit of recognition for Alex, Archie, Leia, Sam and Tim who ably and selflessly assisted with my “extraction” on the Sunday evening!

It’s going to be a busy few weeks, as this Friday – the 10th – it will be the David Shepherd Annual Dinner, at the Dorchester Hotel in London. Celebrating 30 years of wildlife conservation, this should be a fantastic evening… even if it does mean dusting down the penguin suit and bow tie! I’ll put up some pics of the evening next week.

It’s also trip planning time too.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be spinning up to Ontario and onto Manitoba, where once more I’ll be basing myself at Seal River as migrating polar bears file past on their way north. Always a humbling experience, and one of the very few that can still get the heart pumping when you are laying down on the ice, face to face with one of these giant carnivores as you suddenly realize you are somewhat seal-like in appearance. Of course, the presence of an armed guide keeps the pressure off to some extent, but staring down the lens within nothing between you and the bear apart from, well, air, is always one to keep the adrenaline coursing! I’ll then be flying south to Texas, where the national parks of Big Bend and Guadeloupe Mountains will provide the backdrop for much of November… More details to follow in the next fortnight.

Anyway, that’s it for now! Drop by again soon!