A photographer is encouraging people to get out and about to enjoy the natural wonder of Dumfries and Galloway.
Dalbeattie’s Michael Gault only took up his hobby last year but has already produced some stunning images of the region’s wildlife.
And he believes more people should be taking advantage of the amazing countryside.
He said: “I feel people take things for granted and they have to go to other countries but they have some beautiful stuff on their own doorstep.
“I try to do my photos locally – I live in Dalbeattie and the forest is on my doorstep.
“I go from Dalbeattie to Castle Douglas and take a lot of swan pictures at the loch. Someone told me there was a red squirrel hide at Kirkcudbright so I went there.
“I’d never even seen a woodpecker before but when I was down at the hide, the amount of wildlife was unbelievable. There was a pheasant in front of me, squirrels, woodpeckers, different wee birds – in one little place.
“I didn’t know there was a deer park, Bainloch, at Sandyhills so I’ve been there and taken different stags and deer there as well. It saves me going to Laurieston and chasing them all over the forest!
“I just feel as though local people don’t know half the stuff that’s around their area and I want to encourage them to get out and about.”
Michael decided to start taking pictures last year as he was looking for a new hobby.
Starting on his mobile phone, he was delighted at the feedback he received online for his landscape and wildlife photos so decided to move on to a bridge camera.
And he also found his new hobby helps with his anxiety and depression.
He said: “Photography helps by getting me out and about.
“It helps your mental wellbeing.
“The only things keeping me sane are my new hobby and my partner, who has been a rock for me.”
To see more of Michael’s photos, look for Photo_genic mike on Facebook.
And he has been so delighted with the feedback he has received for his photographs he now plans to mount and sell them. Anyone interested can contact him on 07925829460
