These evocative images of Dorset wildlife by photographer Colin Varndell are just a small selection of the skilled snapper's impressive body of work. Joanna Davis discovers how patience has paid off for Colin.

IN SUB-ZERO temperatures not many of us would sit around for hours waiting for that perfect shot.

But Colin Varndell would.

The wildlife photographer, who lives near Bridport, is so dedicated to his art that he willingly braves hours sat out in snow and ice 'because that's when animals come out looking for food.'

Colin, who started taking pictures in 1976, said: "My routine as a photographer depends on the time of year.

"I will work a long day if it's cold because that's when animals will come out looking for food.

"I'll be out there at the crack of dawn and then out all day. When it's snowy and icy that's always good for getting pictures. When it's -5 a lot of people wouldn't want to be out in that weather but I always do!"

And Colin's patience certainly pays off, as you can see from his photo of a majestic cock pheasant in the snow.

Across these two pages you can see a small selection of Colin's favourite photos taken last year.

Colin took up photography professionally in 1989, working as a freelance photographer and growing his own stock. He now has a whopping quarter of a million images and sells the pictures through international picture agencies.

Colin takes most of his photos in Dorset and a few just across the county border in the New Forest.

He said: "There is a secret to it, it's research, reconnaissance, planning, preparation and patience. That's my modus operandi, finding out about a subject first and then coming up with a plan. Sometimes it doesn't work."

Among Colin's favourite locations to take pictures in are the heathlands of Dorset and the Jurassic Coast.

"There are locations close to home that I enjoy visiting, including Kingcombe meadows and the Studland heaths," he said.

Colin's 'best of 2018 selection' is full of colour, movement and draws the eye in.

He modestly says he has no particular favourite from 2018, describing them all as 'pretty standard stuff.'

But, there is one shot he's just a little proud of.

"The shot of the two fox cubs was difficult, it was taken near Beaminster and I spent a huge amount of time trying to get it, it took days and days, in the end I only managed to get two shots I could use.

"The ideal picture for me is something a bit different, most of the time I'm taking straightforward recorded shots and if I'm photographing foxes it would be a particular interaction

"I've already got a shot from this year I'm really proud of. I've got a lovely shot of a robin flying off a seed feeder colliding in mid-air with a goldfinch. I was using a fast motor drive to capture it, it will be part of my selection for 2019."

Colin says his dream subject to photograph this year would be cuckoos but 'there are fewer and fewer of them now'.

Colin works in partnership with his wife Suzie.

He said: "Suzie is very interested in the natural world. She's very good at the management side of the business and I'm good at the art side."

Colin also gives illustrated talks and presentations on various aspects of wildlife and, together with Suzie, has an interest in a certain prickly creature in the wild.

He said: "In support of the Dorset Mammal Groups' Hedgehog Friendly Towns and Villages started in Bridport, I have researched, photographed and created a presentation called The Hedgehog Predicament aimed at audiences in Dorset."

The talk, which is available for groups and societies, is about the natural history of hedgehogs, the decline of the species and what we can do to help them. To book, call 01308 488341 or email thehappyreturn@hotmail.com

For more information on Colin's work, see colinvarndell.co.uk