An Inspiring Evening with Rupert Kirkwood – The Lone Kayaker

Members of St Austell Camera Club were treated to a truly memorable presentation when wildlife photographer Rupert Kirkwood joined us for an evening of images, stories, and adventure.

Rupert proved to be an engaging and highly relatable speaker, combining humour, honesty, and deep knowledge of the natural world. His photographs were nothing short of breathtaking, capturing fleeting moments of wildlife behaviour with both artistry and sensitivity. Yet it was the stories behind the images that made the evening especially compelling.

Whenever weather and sea conditions allow, Rupert takes to his kayak to explore and photograph the coastline from a unique perspective. This immersive approach has led to extraordinary encounters, including close sightings of bottlenose, white beaked & common dolphins, Sei, Minke and Humpback whales, and a rich variety of seabirds. His dedication to working within the environment rather than observing it from afar was evident throughout his talk, and it gave members a real appreciation of the patience, fieldcraft, and respect required for this kind of photography.

Rupert’s passion for the natural world, along with his commitment to sharing and documenting it, left a lasting impression on everyone present. His work is not only visually stunning but also a reminder of the remarkable wildlife on our doorstep and the importance of engaging with it responsibly.

It was an inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable evening, and we extend our sincere thanks to Rupert for sharing his experiences with us.

Link: The Lone Kayaker