I’ve always been a little creeped out by herons. They remind me of a old, stooped man wearing a badly-fitting bird suit. Their legs gangly, expression perpetually one of confused or cross, don’t quite have the majesty of other large birds.

That’s not to say they aren’t fascinating. Building nests high up in the trees is impressive, as are their take offs and landings between them. We lazily ambled through Conham River Park to spot them. Our day out in east Bristol was leisurely, but many engaging scenes presented themselves. We walked past Beese’s bar, bustling with bank holiday punters. The herons were plentiful, stalking fish in the river and up in the towering trees. Squirrels scurried across the mossy branches. Cormorants cleaned themselves on stumps. And song thrushes played in pairs.

The spring colours really popped against the overcast sky. I hope they convey the warmth we felt on our little venture into nature.

A trip into the Northern Irish countryside.

Montalto Estate harboured some gorgeous grounds, with lush foliage and a meticulously-maintained Japanese-style garden. The local birds scampered about, sitting still just long enough to snap some artsy shots.

Oxford Island Nature Reserve seemed counter to it. A dense, disorderly array of old trees, stumps, and broken branches, reminding me of the tip that was my teenage bedroom. Though, it was delightful in its own right. A pair of treecreepers gathered dozens of twigs to slot into their homely hollow. Blue tits nibbled on buds at the tips of growing branches. And carpets of bluebells covered the forest floor.

A stroll around Chew Valley Lake outside Bristol. There were outlet towers and country houses bordering the lake, and the local wildlife made an appearance on the walking trail. Butterflies, chaffinches, ladybirds, and a polite dog.

A spring day out to Symonds Yat Rock in the Wye Valley. The views over the town and countryside were picturesque.

A walk through Salisbury and the surrounding countryside. We saw medieval facades, thatched roof houses, red kites and buzzards circling overhead, along with many other country animals.

A winter visit to Bristol Zoo Project, seeing a menagerie of animals like cheetahs, toucans, giraffes, and red pandas.

A visit to Slimbridge Wetland Centre to capture some common and exotic birds.

Highlights from my ski trip to Val Thorens in January 2026. Includes scenic shots of mountains in the daytime, stars at nighttime, the alpine birds, decadent food, games we played, and the people that brought the energy.

A walk through the canals and fields of Bathampton.

Walks through the Welsh woodlands and parks, photographing birds and nature.

My film recipe for deep blue astrophotography shots.

A walk through the Christmas light show at Westonbirt Arboretum.

A visit to the Tyntesfield National Trust site outside Bristol.

An autumn walk through the old forest of Westonbirt Arboretum.

My first foray with my new Fujifilm X-M5.