Jimmy’s winning photograph…
or Newcastle’s Jimmy McDonnell, photographing nature is his way of 
combining his two of his favourite hobbies.
or Newcastle’s Jimmy McDonnell, photographing nature is his way of 
combining his two of his favourite hobbies.And given that the world is just outside our windows, Wicklow, he says, is the perfect place to indulge his twin passions.
“We are so lucky to live in a place like Wicklow,” states the Greystones Camera Club photographer, “because everywhere you turn, there’s 
just this beautiful wilderness to explore. And all the magnificent creatures who live there…”
just this beautiful wilderness to explore. And all the magnificent creatures who live there…”Including his beloved red squirrel, one particular shot having just won Jimmy the top spot in RTÉ Eye On Nature photography competition.
“I’m delighted, of course,” he says of the win, “and the fact that it’s the red squirrel is particularly meaningful for me as it’s a species which was in serious decline in Ireland and has recently re-established itself in mixed woodlands – paradoxically due to the success of a predator, the pine marten, who targets the grey squirrel.
“But it’s not all good news. Ireland has almost the lowest percentage of woodland in Europe – and the country is covered primarily in Sitka spruce. 
Poor for wildlife, and banned in places like Norway, we have to change that and go with broadleaf trees, where the likes of the red squirrel can thrive once again…”
It’s a subject that Jimmy elaborates on through one of his blog posts – available here.
The man himself
“As I’ve said, we’re incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful county, and country,” he continues. “So, the more people who appreciate and celebrate that, the better. Which is why it’s always great to see new members down at the Greystones Camera Club. Recording this beautiful world of ours in all its glory is so important…”
Luckily, even though the man is shyer than your average red squirrel, we were able to get a photograph of Jimmy himself in all his glory too.
You can explore the man’s great work on his website right here, and find more about the Greystones Camera Club here.
Kestrel Rosslare Backstrand JAN22 Jimmy McDonnell
Mountains of The Sea Kilmichael Point Jimmy McDonnell
Immature Whooper Swans Wexford Jimmy McDonnell
The Coronation Plant Wicklow Jimmy McDonnell APR22
Roosting Sandlerling Carne Beach Wexford JAN22 Jimmy McDonnell