Behind the Lens with Brooke Haycock

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into wildlife photography

I'm a 15 year old boy from East Sussex. My family have been members of Sussex Wildlife Trust for five years. I love being outside and enjoying the wildlife that we are lucky enough to have all around us. Whenever I’m out in nature I feel completely relaxed being at my happiest. It’s my therapy, passion and now wildlife feels a part of me that I could never be without. I would happily be alone for months in a forest or wild space where I can separate myself and feel at peace with nature. I first got into photography by seeing a Barn Owl hunting on one summers morning and, since that moment at 11 years old, I was hooked. That one owl was my biggest inspiration after the memorable time I was lucky enough to have in his presence.

Who is your conservation hero?

My main influence is David Attenborough for engaging a large scale audience, who then take an interest into the natural world and its beauty. From the incredible encounters he has documented and filmed when he was younger, to his drive and motivation to save our planet at his age, is utterly remarkable. From his conservation efforts with individual species to his charismatic attitude, he is a legend in spreading awareness to my generation who have a great lot of work to do.

Do you have a favourite subject matter or location of where you most like to take wildlife photos?

If I could choose just one species that I could photograph for the rest of my life it would be Otters as they are highly emotionally intelligent creatures that are always up to something! I find observing them fascinating as they sleep, hunt and even play. But all owls I love for their graceful looks and quite nearly silent flight. Not much can beat an owl gliding over your head at sunset, truly magical. Watching as they hunt and seeing light filter through their elegant wings is perfection by Mother Nature. From secretive Tawny Owls to flighty Short-eared Owls, they have a special place in my heart. My favourite place to photograph wildlife is any large, open rough grassland where Jack Snipe can hide and voles can feed, while birds of prey can feast upon them, and then you have a healthy ecosystem where wildlife works together to thrive.

What equipment do you use, in brief?

I use a Canon 500mm f4 ii paired with a Canon R6 for most of my wildlife photography. The low light capabilities of the R6 let me stay out late when wildlife becomes most active in the fading light.

What’s your favourite shot and why?

I was twelve when I found my first Tawny Owl nest. After months of searching it felt amazing to hear the call of one of the owlets. As I walked past a tree I heard a faint chirp and days later I saw my first chick. The owlet was just about to fledge one evening, it rested on this opening of the tree during the last hours of the day before it plucked up the courage to leave. This photo is memorable to me because it was the summer of lockdown so I got to spend every day with the three owlets from this nest. With them seeing me for weeks on end they knew I was no threat and let me into their incredible world, I felt accepted by a wild bird, just such a privilege. I love Tawny Owls, when you learn about them they are not so elusive as you first imagine… to this day I still follow the same female, mother to this chick.

Have you ever had any surprises when you’ve been out with a camera?

While being out with my camera I come across many incredible sights as when you spend as much as 12 hours at one spot you do tend to see a lot. One amazing sighting I have seen would be a Fox that caught a Squirrel one winters morning. I laid down and the Fox came just a few meters away walking towards me with its kill. It felt like a dream.

What do you hope for as a career and why?

I would absolutely love a career in wildlife conservation or photography. I want to spread awareness and do my bit to give wildlife as much help as they can get. My dream would be to go around the world documenting wildlife and presenting because I love to talk about all sorts of birds and mammals as it's that curiosity which makes me always want to be with wildlife more often.

To see more of Brook's photos, follow him on Instagram.