Chris's Managing Agent
David Foster - All-Electric Productions
www.allelectricproductions.co.uk
Equipment and clothing
For several years Chris has been using Nikon binoculars and telescopes. Rugged, reliable and crystal clear optics and a system which is great for digi-scoping.
www.europe-nikon.com
If you have put a telescope or camera on something to keep it steady then don't waste time wobbling about with anything else - go straight for a Manfrotto tripod, simply the best.
www.manfrotto.com
Some of the photos on this site show Chris in action with a Billingham camera bag and it's true, it served him faithfully for many years. Now though, he is a Lowepro boy - the best old bags in the business!
www.lowepro.com
If you want the best price from the greatest range of optical equipment and accessories and you want it delivered yesterday then there's only one place for you to spend your cash . . .
www.warehouseexpress.com
After Fred Perry and Berghaus comes Craghoppers in terms of Chris's on-screen wardrobe. Their latest collection is a great mix of fun and funky and all round good outdoor practicality.
www.craghoppers.com
Travel
If you're thinking of going deep down south or high north for a bit of Penguin or Polar Bear action then before you pack your fleece and put your snowshoes on checkout Peregrine Adventures - Chris has been with them and their professionalism and quality must surely be unsurpassable.
www.peregrineadventures.co.uk
If you fancy a holiday in the sun with some of the best birding available just the other side of the swimming pool, in one of the most friendly countries, at really reasonable prices then you've got to think of going to the Gambia. Chris has been 10 times and he's already booked for number 11.
www.gambia.co.uk
Photographing Tigers in the wild can only be described as one of the most incredible experiences. It's not every day safari, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you want to get it right and go with the right people to the right places. Chris and Megan went with Lionscape and everything was fabulous. Great camp and the best guides in the world.
www.lionscape.co.uk
He hasn't been yet but both Chris and Megan are itching to get out to Paul Goldstein's Kicheche Mara Camp in Kenya. He visited this site years ago and it was wonderful then but now Paul has turned his hand to it and offers full on proper photographic safaris the place is pulling like a great big African magnet. Watch this space . . . or beat him to it.
www.kicheche.com
I’ve done lots of trips tour guiding for this company (Cuba, Peru, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda . . . ) and they have all been of the highest order, well planned, great itineraries, excellent support and clients always totally satisfied. They are a total pleasure to work for and I have loads of great memories to treasure as a result. Check their site if you want something special.
www.spencerscott.co.uk
Life and some of its small pleasures . . .
Chris is a great fan of contemporary art and enjoys buying and selling modern lithographic prints. The following are links to some of his current favourite artists and their sites. If you haven't spent your bucks yet you have probably missed the Banksy boat but there are plenty of others in the alternative Brit Bazzaar worth checking out.
Pictures on walls used to be the place to snap up bargains but these days they're gone before you can log on. It's not their fault of course, they've just been poisoned by their own popularity. Let's hope it's all paid off for them as they supported most of the risen stars such as Banksy and Micallef. Still worth a look though on the off chance!
www.picturesonwalls.com
Other sites that showcase some exciting
new work . . .
www.dface.co.uk
www.eelus.com
www.micallef.co.uk
www.blackratpress.co.uk for Matthew Small
www.opus-art.com for Dan Baldwin
Of course Chris is keen on his wildlife art as well but theres not a great range of artist offering cutting edge contemporary. Greg Poole, Nik Pollard and Kim Atkinson break the mould and David Bennetts paintings are wonderful. Ian Lewington is some sort of genius – his work is astonishing.
www.gregpoole.co.uk
www.swla.co.uk for Kim Atkinson, David Bennett and Nik Pollard
www.ian-lewington.co.uk
Charities
www.bbc.co.uk/naturescalendar
www.bbc.co.uk/insideout
www.bats.org.uk
www.hampshireswater.org.uk
www.hos.org.uk
www.wildlondon.org.uk
www.sotonnhs.org
www.butterfly-conservation.org
www.hwt.org.uk
www.wildlifetrusts.org
www.wwt.org.uk
www.hawk-conservancy.org
www.brentlodge.org
www.sholingvalleys.hampshire.org.uk
www.humaneresearch.org.uk
www.naturewatch.org
www.raptorrescue.org.uk
www.fleetpond.fccs.org.uk
www.rspb.org
www.mtuk.org
www.hawkandowl.co.uk
www.newforesttrust.org.uk
www.wildlifearktrust.org
www.landlife.org.uk
www.pensthorpetrust.org
