This is my attempt to create a video library of special wildlife and landscape moments. I’m trying to get a balance between the ‘stand-out’ events (like deer-rutting or otters at play) and the much-more common occurrences like a dawn chorus, a quality sunset or fox cubs visiting out of habit. And whilst the quality moments have never been better, achieving success is always a gamble, with nature being so unpredictable even when you think the circumstances are just right.

Opting to retire early was such a wise decision. It gave me the gift of time – and that is the simple key to getting near to wildlife. Going out early whilst the Barn Owls are still hunting (against the distant sound of commuter traffic) or scouring the reedbeds of the local Welland river from the adjacent river bank, on a bike, for just the hint of sight, sound or movement by an otter – half an hour after the sun has set and the dog walkers have vanished for home – can be the way to magical moments of Nature at its very best. There are the frosty mornings when the deer-rut is imminent. And there are the calmest, warmest, spring-like mornings to wander across the North Norfolk Marsh amidst a rich cacophony of bird song. And there are those very early starts in early summer (up at 4am and on location by 4.30am) to find otters in the clearing mist at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough – to hear the early cuckoo or bittern calling near the Welland at Maxey – and to be first on the scene to hear the spectacular song of the Nightingale. I’ve never been a fan of early starts but capturing something special, particularly on the edge of urban areas, just requires an extra dose of well-placed willpower! I’ve come to appreciate the disappointment of seeing nothing when every factor looks good – and yet remain equally confident that Nature will redress the balance when all seems lost!

You’ll find I’m keeping to the genuine soundtrack of the event (or certainly from the same location) and trying to limit the amount of editing and use of captions. I’m always aiming to capture the purity of the moment – and sometimes it will be dramatic, or at other times totally ordinary. And if I’ve witnessed it on my own then I feel driven to share it with all like-minded connoisseurs of wildlife!

I really hope you will enjoy viewing some of the content – and if you are able pass on your thoughts and comments I will be very appreciative!  Please feel very welcome to share any of the links.