Doors open 19:00, talk commences 19:30

Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton

Speaker: Stephen Powles

Overview:  In 2005 the discovery of otter spraint on the stream not far from my house was the inspiration to learn about (and try to photograph) one of our most charismatic but equally elusive British mammals.  My otter journey (or, ,more accurately, 'obsession'!) has continued to this day.  From 2013 to 2018 I was immensely privileged to be able to study, film and photograph one female otter's life in incredible detail as she went on to have five litters of cubs.  Hammer Scar, as I called her (after the hammer-shaped mark on her nose), allowed me to follow her night after night.  On several occasions she even had the confidence to take a twenty-minute sleep only a few metres from me.

Speaker:  Formerly a vet, I changed career to pursue a lifelong passion for wildlife, wildlife photography, filming and conservation.  My material has made a number of TV appearances.  I have a keen interest in photographing and filming challenging wildlife subjects, many of which are in and close to my home.  I have a special interest in otters, tawny owls, hedgehogs and hornets.  I am based near Tiverton in Md-Devon.