Two of Michael’s pictures have been shortlisted in the worldwide Bird Photographer of the Year competition.
Bu the 60-year-old has been a keen amateur photographer for almost 40 years, and there is a lot more to his work than shots of our feathered friends.
Take a look.
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Take a look.
7. What a hoot
This long eared owl was photographed in woods in Sunderland. "Like a lot of wildlife photography, a large part of success is good fortune, but you can increase your chances of that luck coming your way with preparation and field skills," said Michael. "Once I had a rough idea of the area they may be found, it took several visits to find them. The owls tend to be well hidden but the call of the young is a significant help when setting up this shot. This youngster was calling its parent regularly, probably for food and so gave up its tricky hideaway." Photo: Michael Oliver
8. Magnificent
This polar bear was stretching its legs in Arctic Norway, around Svalbard. "A special place," said Michael Photo: Michael Oliver