Barn swallow hunting for insects across a barley field in Rainford Village in North West England during summer.

Nature Photography’s Number One Rule: Expect the Unexpected

One of my favourite aspects of nature photography is the sheer diversity of subjects. One moment I can be out in the Lake District fells photographing mountainous landscapes at sunrise, and the next, hunkered down in grassy margins watching local barn owls quarter a meadow. Whatever my subject, one rule was drilled into me from …

A barn owl perched on a lamp post at night with lightning forking across the night sky in the distance.

Capturing My Wildlife Photograph of the Year During a Thunderstorm

Towards the end of May 2026, an unseasonal heatwave came to an explosive end, with some of the most active thunderstorms we’ve seen in a long time. During the build-up to the storms, I managed to capture the best wildlife photograph I’ve ever taken: a barn owl perched on a lamp post in the darkness …

A beautiful spring sunrise along Coach Road in Rainford. Trees alongside the path catch the spring light beautifully.

Photographing Beautiful Spring Moments Around Rainford Village

Today’s Field Notes post is all about photographing nature and the beauty of early spring on my doorstep, Rainford Village. If you’re reading this on mobile, you might enjoy the photos even more on a larger screen. This set is one of my favourites so far this spring. Signs of spring began to arrive earlier …

A wood mouse peeping out from its burrow surrounded by snow during January in Rainford Village

Here’s how I Photographed Wood Mice in Wintry Conditions

Winter can be a frustrating season for nature photography when the conditions don’t match our expectations. But now and then, winter delivers a fleeting moment of something special, and when it does, you have to make the most of it. This Field Notes post shows how I capitalised on a very brief spell of wintry …