This is a fantastic opportunity to explore a beautiful area of North Wales, the Carneddau mountains, and photograph one of its true icons; the Carneddau Pony. Under Kevin's tutelage, you will be guided to the best locations where you will be able to capture a wide range of stunning and memorable images.

The Carneddau pony is a hardy breed dating back to the Celtic period. The Romans admired the ponies for their strength and ability and were known to have taken some of them back to Rome to carry out specific tasks in their homeland. During the Tudor period around 1509, King Henry VIII ordered the ponies to be destroyed because they could not carry a knight in full armor. Thankfully, they did not succeed due to the ponies’ strength of character in taking to the mountains to escape. In more recent times they were used to pull carts in the coal mines, but now the mines are closed, and there is no longer work for them there. Many of these ponies are now free to roam the stunning Carneddau hillsides

The Carneddau mountains include the largest contiguous areas of high ground (over 2,500 or 3,000 feet (910 m) high) in Wales and England, as well as six or seven of the highest peaks in the country—the Fifteen Peaks. The range also encloses a number of lakes such as Lyn Cowlyd and Lyn Eigiau, and the Aber waterfalls. It is surrounded by the Irish Sea to the north, and the Conwy Valley to the east. This rugged but beautiful landscape will provide us with some great opportunities for landscape photography as well as the resident wildlife.

The ponies are distributed over a wide range in an upland environment, they can normally be located around a few specific areas although this does vary from day to day depending on the weather conditions. There are also times when it is advantageous to remain with a herd for long periods, waiting for some specific behavior to unfold or to capture the perfect shot.

Using a country lane we will drive up into the Welsh Hills to a small gravel car park. The approach to the site then is on foot and it is possible to locate the ponies on the lower ground after a short walk. Depending on conditions and fitness levels the aim will be to move uphill looking for ponies. This walk can involve some significant elevation gain on rugged terrain. The ground is moderately steep in places, uneven, and can be slippery in snowy or icy conditions.

Walking in this kind of terrain is tiring and requires a good level of fitness and stamina, especially considering that you will be carrying heavy photographic equipment, although the pace will be slow and breaks can be taken.

Kevin will be on hand to offer advice on how to best approach the ponies, as well as help with camera settings, exposure, etc.

Note that you may well be sitting, kneeling, or even lying on the wet cold ground for long periods of time so you should wear adequate clothing and be prepared for this.

You will be away from your vehicle all day. There are no facilities on site.

• WILDLIFE

Our primary target will be the Carneddau ponies, but along the way, we may encounter other species of interest and stunning landscape opportunities

• FIELD-CRAFT

Learn how best to approach wild ponies their history and how they came to live in the mountains.

• PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE

Photographers of all levels are welcome. Whether you are new to the world of wildlife photography or an experienced pro looking to expand your portfolio

• ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is not provided for this workshop. But there are many lovely B&B and guesthouses in the area.

• TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is not provided to and from our location but can be arranged if needed.