FOR this month's feature, Kirkbymoorside Camera Club has focused on the natural world around us.

Nature photography is defined as depicting living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, together with geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena.

Minimal evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects, such as barn owls or storks adapting to an environment modified by humans, or natural forces, like hurricanes or tidal waves, reclaiming it.

Nature photographers frequently take pictures of animals under “controlled conditions” in order to record species behaviour that would be very difficult or impossible to record in the wild. This might even include microscopic subjects, which have to be anaesthetised.

Animals in reserves and wildlife parks and zoos are also permitted provided there is minimal evidence of humans.

So too are “falconer’s” birds although, of course, only minor retouching is permitted which would not, for example, include removing jesses in post processing.

Also permitted are pictures of “wild” flowers growing in parkland or “wild” gardens provided these have not been modified by such cultivation.

Wildlife photography is different, the creatures cannot be captive and must be able to survive without human intervention, baiting is allowed.

If you are interested in photography and finding out more about the club, go along to one of the meetings or visit kirkbymoorside-camera-club.co.uk

Weka – Harry Kingman

The Weka (also known as Maori hen or woodhen) is a flightless bird of the rail family. It is endemic to New Zealand, they are sturdy brown birds, about the size of a chicken. This image was captured in the Able Tasman National Park during a stop for lunch, the birds were very inquisitive and responded to crumbs from a piece of flapjack.

Marmot attack – Joyce Kingman

These marmots were so busy with their own lives on a mountainside above Lake Lucerne they allowed a close approach.

Garden spider – Mike Ward

I was trying to take photograph of this tiny garden spider which was only a few millimetres across with great difficulty, the slightest wind movement kept the spider out of focus, but the sun came out the wind dropped, one more click and this was the result.

Barn owl looking out – Bob Ordidge

This photo of a barn owl was captured one afternoon as it repeatedly looked out through a gap in the barn. I crept up to the barn in order to get a tight angle of view and to catch him looking out. One eye showing gives the photo a touch of humour

Damselflies - Liz Bassindale

Whenever I am able to I enjoy spending my summer lunchbreaks searching for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. One of my favourite spots, which is conveniently very close to my office, is the lakeside path at Castle Howard. On a warm summers day clouds of damselflies fill the air on this short walk.

Australasian Gannets mutual preening – Colin Dilcock

Taken on Christmas Day at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand; one of my best Christmas presents.

Wild Flowers – David Ireland

Taken on a walk in a Greek village where the hedgerows were abundant with wild flowers.