A new exhibition of wildlife photography showcasing the biodiversity of The Lost Gardens of Heligan is now open to visitors to the gardens.
The exhibition, called 200 Acres in reference to the size of the Heligan estate, features images taken by Andy Wilson, (pictured), who balances his time as a wildlife photographer alongside his day job as head of restoration at Heligan.
The exhibition has been inspired by Dwell, a collection of poetry by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, which celebrates our wild creatures and the habitats in which they live.
Andy has worked at Heligan for 11 years, during which time he has built up an incredible knowledge of the estate and its eco-system. He monitors wildlife movements using trail cameras – static, motion-activated cameras that alert him when wildlife is nearby – and then spends time outside his working day in hides he has constructed in secret locations to capture the shots.
Andy has photographed an incredible selection of wildlife during his time at Heligan and the exhibition includes images of a barn owl feeding its young, a beaver swimming in a river and a young fox leaping into the air while hunting.
He has travelled all over the world photographing wildlife including brown bears in Finland and an upcoming trip photographing golden eagles in Norway, but his favourite animal to photograph at Heligan is foxes. A picture he took of fox cubs was one of Heligan’s most popular ever social media posts but this exhibition is the first time he has had his worked displayed for Heligan visitors.
Andy said: “I’m chuffed to have my pictures exhibited at Heligan, photography is something I do because I love it but it’s great to have this recognition of my work.
“Unless they’re very lucky, Heligan visitors don’t often get to see wildlife on the estate so this is a fantastic way for them to see the biodiversity of the site without having to wait patiently for hours in hides.”
Andy shoots on a Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera and takes the majority of his wildlife shots on a NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens.
The 200 Acres exhibition is located in a beautiful outdoor space on Heligan’s west lawn. Admission is included in the standard Heligan ticket.
200 Acres and Dwell are part of series of events and installations themed around “home” at Heligan this year, culminating in the first Heligan Homecoming Festival between June 13 and 22.
Homecoming will feature acclaimed musicians and Mercury Prize-nominees Seth Lakeman and Gwenno, top comedians Dawn French and Edward Rowe (well known in Cornwall as Kernow King) and fascinating conversations with guests including Simon Armitage, leading chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and academic and author Merlin Sheldrake.
Each date will feature daytime performances and activities, including beaver tours, ocean-view yoga, foraging and farm walks and an evening headline performance, with separate tickets available for each.
Tickets to the Homecoming Festival start from £25 and are available at www.heliganhomecoming.co.uk. £1 from each ticket sold will be donated to support St Petrocs and a new red squirrel enclosure on-site helping to provide safe homes for both people and wildlife in Cornwall.
