Over the last few weeks, I’ve focused on reconnecting with what I love about wildlife photography by simply walking around with my camera.

Too often, I’m either tied up installing owl boxes with surveillance cameras for landowners or caught in larger photography projects that involve extensive planning and lots of waiting.

It’s been refreshing to step outside and just enjoy nature.

Perched on the dam wall at Grafham Water, this Common Sandpiper stood briefly, offering a perfect photo opportunity.

Its distinctive bobbing motion and striking plumage contrasted beautifully against the textured stone.

Capturing such moments requires patience, but the reward is an intimate glimpse into the life of this migratory wader.

The Mandarin duck, often called the world’s most beautiful duck, is a true spectacle of nature. Males dazzle with their striking plumage—rich orange sails, deep purple chest, and intricate patterns of blue, green, and gold.

Capturing this bird’s reflection in still water creates a breathtaking mirror image, doubling its beauty in perfect symmetry. The key to photographing this moment is patience, soft natural lighting, and a calm body of water.