Wild Ireland has been on my bucket list (local edition) for a few years now, so our trip to Donegal to visit the animals was well overdue.
It was a chilly, weekend morning over the Easter break when I travelled there with my son Elias and husband Michael. I had my camera packed and batteries charged, ready to capture the woodland creatures.
I loved how natural the habitats felt. Walking through Wallaby Wood, we found animals resting and eating only a few feet away from us. Being able to move quietly through their space and watch them at such close range was wonderful.
Ireland's Bears
I knew before I visited Wild Ireland that the brown bears, Donnacha and Rionach, would be a highlight. With just a wall and a small stretch of water separating us, the bears felt so close. It was incredible getting to see them as such close range.
They clambered around their habitat searching for the pieces of meat hidden in logs and among the long grass. They're huge, yet so cuddly looking — they had me thinking, "if not friend, then why friend shaped?"
Elias, like his parents, is a big animal lover and was soaking up the sight of the creatures, and even got to see the Easter Bunny while we were there.
The Stars Of The Show
The animals I had been most excited to see were the European grey wolves. As we approached, we noticed the crowd that had gathered were completely silent, quietly observing the wolves. One stood tall on a rock and stared right down the lens.
Signs along the wall warned visitors not to howl, however Elias, not quite two, had not ready the signs... Before I could explain the rule, he tipped back his head and began howling at the wolves. In the hush it earned a ripple of laughter and made an already memorable encounter even better.
Sika Deer
The sika deer were a little farther away, which gave me the perfect chance to make good use of my Sony 70–200mm lens. It let me pick out their expressions and antlers among the long grass and make close portraits without disturbing them. They were such calm, beautiful creatures.
Around Every Corner
There was an extraordinary variety of other animals throughout the woodland: raccoons, guinea pigs, birds and still more bears and wolves. We even spotted Naoise, Wild Ireland’s Eurasian lynx, keeping to the very edge of the trees—too elusive for a photograph, but exciting to see all the same.
Elias loved having the freedom to run through the willow tunnels and explore the paths. His smiles and big laughs were infectious. I love days like these — family, animals and a little bit of adventure.
Isn't this the stork that delivered Elias a couple of years ago?
