Late February. I’ve been visiting one of the very few seabird colonies in Norfolk. East Anglia is well known for it’s general flatness, so the sheer cliffs required to attract breeding sea birds are very rare. One place however, is Hunstanton, with it’s famous red and white cliffs. The red rocks are actually made of chalk with iron providing the rich red colour, and on top of that is a layer of white chalk, both of these laid down in shallow marine conditions during the Cretaceous period. The soft crumbling rock face provides plenty of ledges and nooks for a mini albatross to rest. These hands ..read more

There’s nothing like a new year and upcoming milestone birthday to put you in a reflective mood. Photography has always been my passion, and by that I mean, puts me in the ‘satisfyingly busy’ freedom of flow state. When watching wildlife and creating images, time passes without a trace. Meditation with a camera. I always want to do more. I have this creeping anxiety that I just haven’t achieved enough in my life so far, but I can never fathom what the big amazing thing is that I should have done. It makes me feel forgetful. Anyway, to quash the anxiety and fulfill my wish to simply get out wit ..read more

Don’t move. He can’t see us if we don’t move. The reptile tips his head. Patterned scales glint in the sun, golden eye, unblinking, watches us, time slows. But we’re not keeping still because we’re trying to avoid becoming a dinosaur’s dinner. We’re not moving so we don’t disturb the mini velociraptor in front of us. I’m being dramatic. This little lizard is about as far removed from a dinosaur as you and I, but they do look the part. We have 3 native lizard species in the UK: the glorious golden Common or Viviparous Lizard, Zootoca vivipara, (feature of my last blog post), often found on the ..read more

Ok, I admit it. Lizards. My favourite species to photograph. Don’t get me wrong, I love the hares and the barns owls too, but lizards, so full of character, so fascinating in their little macro world. It absorbs me, my attention, I could spend hours watching, yet to me feels like barely a few minutes. I’m watching one now, well I’m trying. The gravel path is fighting against me. A slow approach is best. Lizards have different characters, some bold or calm, some skittish, and it depends on the weather too. This one is relaxed, so I edge closer, wincing in pain as my elbow meets yet another ston ..read more

Just back from a week away in Dumfries and Galloway, and I must say, what a stunning place to visit. The landscape is beautiful, with a view around every corner, the coastline rugged and filled with nature, and birds and wildlife abound. Whilst I did attempt to have a relaxing time as I really did need a break, I couldn’t resist trying to get my camera in front of some wildlife. One species I was really hoping to see was the Red squirrel, our native squirrel whose decline is well documented. This little russet rodent is still hanging on in there, and I’m really hoping the ongoing conservation ..read more

I spent a morning in May at a local meadow, photographing these beautiful native orchids. I often think our native botanical riches are a bit overlooked, but we do have a fascinating selection of species here, and I will definately be trying to explore more in the future. The Green-winged orchid is one of around 45 orchid species to be found in the UK, it grows in unimproved grassland and flowers between May and June. The attractive spikes of flowers are highly variable in colour, ranging from deep magenta, to delicate pale pink, right through to white. The sides of the individual flowers are ..read more

I have only ever visited Bempton out of season, when the Gannets still swoop and soar, but not much else is around. Trips to the rugged, windswept cliff tops have caused both sunburn and a soaking on previous occasions. From May the area is a seabird city, with half a million nesting birds. The Gannets are the real stars of the show, huge prehistoric looking birds, white and shining against the sea below with creamy, golden necks and startling blue eyes. They really are incredible to watch as they glide past so closely and then curl away over the water. As we walked along the cliff top path ..read more

It’s been a long time since I picked up my camera, but what better way to start my photography year than with a trip to a fantastic nature reserve in the heart of Suffolk. Lackford Lakes is well know for it’s great wildlife and birdlife and for good photo opportunites too. It was one of those blissfully sunny late winter days, a relief after all the rain, feeling almost like spring. It was treat to witness large numbers of Snipe, those well camouflaged little birds, I spotted 8 all together, but a keener eyed visitor assured me there were 30 or more out there. On the lake a pair of Gadwall wer ..read more

Change is part of life. Every new day is an opportunity to begin again. The seasons turn, the tides change, the sun rises and sets. We humans assume we can always remain the same, but we are part of nature, and therefore change is inevitable for us too. Something I have discovered only too painfully. The changes in my life some 16 months ago turned my world upside down and continue to affect me now. I have barely been able to pick up my camera, let alone write. But. Here I am. New, beginning again. Because that’s what nature does, begins – over and over again. Enough about me. You’re here for ..read more

The thin January light seeps through Winter’s brown stems, warming the muddy tones faintly golden. The cold grips my limbs despite three layers, as I sit frozen to the damp riverbank. A Blackbird whispers his subsong in the cool sunlight, practising for when Spring arrives. The water is high, and the river flows fast, eddies and ripples and swirls of bubbles fizz downstream. The vegetation leans with the current, a Grey Wagtail alights here, bouncing tail and bright lemon zing in the sparkling river light. He flits away upstream as a pair of Swans and their grown up Cygnet cruise slowly into ..read more