Episode 12 - ROCK'N ROLL BIRDER! - Matt Spracklen

🎙️ WILD X IS BACK! After six weeks away, we are finally back around the microphones and there’s a LOT to catch up on! From incredible wildlife encounters on Mull, Lynx in Spain, surprise Sparrowhawks, Wild Den meet-ups, renovations and road trips to some much more personal life updates, this episode is a proper catch-up between three mates after a very busy few weeks. 🦀 Weird World asks one of nature’s strangest questions… why does evolution keep making crabs?! 📸 Snapshot Shenanigans brings an otter encounter, a fogged-up camera and possibly one of the most painful missed photographic opportunities yet! 💭 And Topic of the Week asks whether sometimes the best thing you can do for your photography, creativity and yourself is simply… take a break. No guest. No big agenda. Just the three of us catching up, talking wildlife, photography, life and everything in between.

This week we’re joined by wildlife cinematographer Jack Richardson, whose work includes Springwatch, Wild Isles, Home and productions for National Geographic, Disney+ and Silverback. We chat about his journey into the industry, what really goes into creating world-class wildlife films, the importance of understanding behaviour and why great storytelling goes far beyond simply getting the shot. Plus… 📸 Photo Spotlight — Kevin Morgans and one seriously beautiful puffin. 🌍 Weird World — Killer Whales making their own kelp “loofahs”! 💬 Topic of the Week — Do you NEED to understand wildlife behaviour to be a great photographer or filmmaker?

This week, we’re joined by multi-award-winning wildlife photographer and mentor Kev Morgans. We talk about why spending more time with one subject can lead to stronger, more creative photography, how long-term projects help us move beyond individual images, and why the best wildlife photographs should make people feel something. Kev also shares stories from his work with puffins and mountain hares, while Weird World explores the stranger side of puffin life and Snapshot Shenanigans delivers a brilliantly awkward encounter involving a camouflaged photographer and a tree hugger. Our Topic of the Week asks: Do we spend long enough with our subjects?

There are some trips that give you photographs... ...and then there are the ones that give you stories you'll never forget. This week on the Wild X Podcast Mike and Adam (whilst being interviewed by Andy) relive an unforgettable Botswana adventure. From incredible wildlife encounters and once-in-a-lifetime moments to the beauty of African light, we look back on the images, emotions and memories that will stay with them forever. We also reflect on Global Birdfair, Andy presents a Botswana themed Weird World and Mike shares another amazing Photo Spotlight whilst also opening up about his personal difficulties and mental health journey in a powerful and important conversation. Whether you dream of visiting Africa yourself or simply love wildlife and photography, we think you'll really enjoy this one. 🎙️🦁📸

This week we were at Global Birdfair 2026!!!!! What an incredible few days and the highlight was, of course, recording the show live in front of an amazing audience. We talk Barn Owls, The Wild Den, mental health awareness and Apex Adventure's Botswana trip (more than once!) in particular a brilliant elephant related Snapshot Shenanigans, before rounding off the show with the second year of the game everyone is talking about... Weird World Balderdash! We had a fantastic time – live, unedited and as fun as ever...