The hours before sunset
We’re on Westray and only have a few hours before sunset to see some wildlife at the Castle o’ Burrian. At least …
Orkney Ferries to Westray
I’m heading to one of the North Isles of Orkney, which are North Isles themselves. I took this photograph of the North …
Mice nibble… anything!
What won’t mice chew? I’m currently carrying out an experiment, whether I like it or not. Every time I come back to …
Scrabster to Stromness by Northlink Ferry
The Scrabster to Stromness ferry across the Pentland Firth takes about 90 minutes. As we leave mainland Scotland for the Mainland of Orkney there’s a classic Stevenson’s lighthouse.
Accademicals
They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. That may have been true in the times …
10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Visiting Orkney for the First Time
Nothing can fully prepare you for coming to Orkney for the first time but I’m going to try. You probably already know …
Skipping among Skippers
I’m lying in the grass in a chalk meadow surrounded by the sounds and smells of nature. It’s a sensory delight. There’s …
Plenty of attitude without the spikes
A recent business trip to Eastbourne saw me staying in the sort of hotel I always imagined Bournemouth would have. The young …
Half an hour of nature
Tonight there’s a brief chance for a walk to the local park. It has a large lake and a small pond. The …
Hazel and Vanessa
I’m out tonight in the company of Hazel and Vanessa. We’re in the fields of South Devon together. Hazel is laid back …
Westray wearing high heels
Westray wears its working clothes most of the time. It has an endless supply of beautiful green garments which it accessorises with …
It’s Not Cricket
It’s a Cricket; I know that much. It also looks like a Bush Cricket. I’ve found a Bush Cricket before. I’m also …
Hot weather
Hot weather changes everything’s behaviour. Butterflies are flying, plants are flowering, bees are buzzing and young people on the beach at Eastbourne …
Something hiding on a blade of grass
How do you hide on a blade of grass? Simple, make yourself look like a part of the plant. That’s exactly what …
Doormoth
There’s a moth on my doormat. I’m not sure whether it’s been wiping all six of its feet or not. Looking closely …
Success – at last!
I’ve spent 40 years as a photographer and had to face the constant indignity of people expressing their views on my photographs. …
Knees Up Meadow Brown
I’m in a large meadow in East Sussex in the heat watching butterflies. They are a nightmare to photograph in this heat …
Seagulls attack from behind
Seagulls are masters of surprise. I’m in Teignmouth this morning and there are warning signs everywhere about the gulls. Herring Gulls are …
Time flies like Hoverflies
I’ve become inordinately attracted to Hoverflies. Should I be worried? This one is Eristalis pertinax. Apparently I should know that because of …
Feathered friends
There’s time to visit Stover Country park and see some wildlife today. I’m taking my dad along so he can experience one …
Azure Damselflies
Calling a Damselfly the ‘Azure Damselfly’ makes it sound much more exotic than if you called it the Blue Damselfly. There are, …
Skaters of ponds: threaten; repel; or mate.
Pond skaters are such common bugs. There must be millions of them. I’m leaning over the fence trying to focus on one …
When it’s summer and you still have the winter duvet on
I have a 13.5 Tog duvet on my bed. It’s June. Maybe I should change it. I think perhaps the same thoughts …
Spots and Burnets and Knapweeds
I’m walking in the fields next to the car park at Beachy Head. This really is life on the edge. With a …
Jackdaws and Skittles
There’s a Jackdaw on the cliffs at Beachy Head in East Sussex. It has its beak open and is panting in this …
Demanding money with menaces
If any species in the animal world is going to be found asking for cash to ‘look after’ your car then it …
Goat’s Beard
A Goat’s Beard seed-head is like a Dandelion clock on steroids. Tragopogon pratensis has long seeds and beautiful upside-down umbrella parachutes: Each …
Chrysis, what Chrysis?
There’s a smile on the side of this chalk hill at Beachy Head in East Sussex. The heat is intense and I …
The end of echelon parking
It’s the end of echelon parking. It says so on the sign. I’m glad they told me that. Goodbye echelon parking: it …
Almost unremittingly awful
For Day 19 of #30DaysWild I’m working inside all day and then have a six hour car drive across the country. It’s …