I like to refer to the Spittal Pond Nature Reserve as my personal training ground.

The challenges of capturing wildlife in all its glory is something I enjoy.

It is nature, nothing scripted or staged, just a man with a camera and one lens against the natural world.

In preparation for shooting whatever nature gives me on the day, I make sure to set up my camera well in advance.

The first challenge I face is available light.

I entered Spittal Pond at around 2pm when the sun was at its highest point — the worst possible time for a photographer to shoot because direct sunlight is not your friend.

Correct exposure and how to balance ISO, aperture and shutter speed is the key to being successful.

Without boring people with all the technical terms, it is important to note that if someone is a would-be photojournalist, photographer or even videographer, knowledge of the equipment will save you in any situation.

The second challenge is setting up the autofocus system and tracking sensitivity for subjects that change speed and move erratically.

This is where my Canon shines, as its autofocus system is probably the best in the business, as it allows for complete adjustability and control.

When capturing the night heron, once I lock focus and the heron takes flight, my only concern is tracking the bird for as long as I can without having to refocus on the subject.

One professional tip aspiring photographers should note is to learn to back button focus. It will save your life.

The third challenge is to have patience, patience and more patience.

Working with wild animals, and some reporters, can be difficult, but very educational.

Observe how they move, watch them interact with their environment, listen to the sounds they make as they alert surrounding animals that an intruder is close by; the animals, that is, not the reporters.

Being connected with nature is more than just capturing a beautiful image; it is also realising that we are very much a part of a unique ecosystem that is magical and wondrous.

• Blaire used a Canon 1dx Mark II and an EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS lens to capture his spectacular shots