GRABBED by a walrus, swiped by a polar bear and nuzzled by a whale — getting uncomfortably and thrillingly close to nature is all in a day's work for photographer Doug Allan.

Described by that other hardy wildlife-seeker Sir David Attenborough as "the toughest in the business", Doug will share some of his more hair-raising experiences at Swansea's Taliesin Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 29, from 7.30pm.

Sir David's TV programmes are renowned not just for that presenter's coaxing whisper and his head full of knowledge — the fine camera-work is one of the hallmarks which make them unmissable too.

Doug is one of the men behind the lens on Life, Human Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and Ocean Giants.

He also filmed bears in the Arctic for a BBC Choice wildlife special with Ewan McGregor a few years back.

The two-time winner of the Polar Award will share recollections of being dragged underwater by a hungry walrus and being poked by a polar bear in his sleep.

"What's great about talking face to face," he says, "is that it's my chance to bring people right in behind the scenes.

"It's like live TV, only better."