Carol's Nature Photography Blog

The pages on this site document my walks in the East of England and on holiday in other areas of the country. I always have my camera with me, and like to capture images of the wildlife and nature that I see.

As each page is added to the site it will be listed on this page making it easy for you to see the new additions. When I make repeat visits to a destination I will often add further information to an existing page, so you may see pages popup again. They are worth checking out even if you have read them before.

Oct 25, 2026

Getting Into Wildlife Photography: A Beginner's Guide

Dunnock taken during the golden hour

Camera settings, golden hour lighting, fieldcraft and composition for beginners. A nature photographer's guide with real examples from the field.

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Oct 25, 2026

English Bluebells: Photography Tips at Brampton Wood

a carpet of bluebells

A practical tutorial on photographing English bluebells: when to go, camera settings, composition tips and how to use bluebell woodland light.

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Oct 25, 2026

Wildlife Photography in the Rain: A Practical Wet-Weather Guide

photo of a fox in the rain

Don't let rain put you off. How to protect your camera, adjust your settings, and capture the stunning atmosphere that only wet-weather walks can deliver.

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Oct 24, 2026

Butterfly Photography Tips: How to Photograph Butterflies Up Close

small copper butterfly on leaf

Beautiful butterfly photos and macro photography tips. Best camera and lens for butterfly photography, plus settings for stunning close-ups on UK nature walks.

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Oct 24, 2026

Best Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography: A Field Guide

robin with blurred background

What aperture, shutter speed and ISO do, and how to choose the best camera settings for wildlife photography in the field, with real examples.

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Oct 24, 2026

The Best Wildlife Walks in Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire's best wildlife walks: ancient woodlands, fen reserves and hidden wildlife spots, from someone who's been exploring them for 40 years.

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Oct 24, 2026

Puffins at Bempton Cliffs: Best Time to Visit & Season Guide

puffin outside burrow

See puffins at Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast. Visit mid-April to July — June is peak season. Plus gannets, razorbills and guillemots

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Oct 24, 2026

Best Walks in Northamptonshire: Lakes, Rivers & Woodland Trails

12 walks across Northamptonshire: circular routes past lakes, along rivers and through woodland. Wildlife tips, parking info and route details for each.

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Oct 24, 2026

Dragonfly Pictures: Beautiful Close-Up Photos & How to Take Yours

banded-demoiselle

Close-up dragonfly and damselfly images from UK nature walks: chasers, darters, hawkers and demoiselles. Where to find them, plus photography tips.

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Oct 24, 2026

Ducks in the UK: How to Spot and Identify Wild Duck Species

A pair of mallard bottoms, peeking out of the water

UK ducks are more varied than you think. Dabbling, diving and winter visitors: how to tell them apart, where to find them, and what to watch for near water.

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Oct 24, 2026

Bird Feather Patterns: A Visual Guide to Plumage and Markings

When flying against the sky the bittern is clearly visible. But against reeds?

Learn to read bird feather patterns and the main types of bird feathers: camouflage, breeding plumage, flight and tail markings. A visual guide for beginners.

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Oct 24, 2026

How to Identify Wild Birds: A Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching

robin

A simple, personal method for identifying wild birds on your walks, using shape, song, behaviour and habitat instead of memorised lists.

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Oct 15, 2026

Back Button Focus for Wildlife: Help or Hindrance?

portrait of the author Carol Leather

Where back button focus genuinely helps with wildlife, where it gets in your way, and how to decide without feeling you should be using it anyway

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Oct 12, 2026

Great Crested Grebe: Courtship, Nesting & Chicks. A UK Photo Guide

Great crested grebe behaviour through a full UK breeding season: courtship dances, floating nests, chicks riding on parents' backs, and where to watch them.

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Oct 12, 2026

How to Edit a Wildlife Photo for Natural-Looking Results

robin before being cropped

Edit your wildlife and nature photos: cropping, exposure, colour, sharpening and noise reduction in Lightroom, without losing the natural feel.

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Oct 12, 2026

Essential Wildlife Photography Accessories (That Matter)

Build a reliable wildlife photography kit with the accessories worth carrying: tripods, monopods, beanbags, cards, rain covers, and more.

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Oct 12, 2026

Best Beginner Camera for Wildlife Photography: A UK Guide

may fly

Best wildlife camera for a beginner on a budget? A nature photographer's guide to choosing your first camera, from phone to bridge, DSLR or mirrorless.

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Oct 12, 2026

Woodland Photography Tips for Beginners: A UK Autumn Walk

autumnal wood

Simple woodland photography tips for beginners: camera settings, composition and phone-friendly ideas from a real autumn walk in the UK

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Oct 12, 2026

Paxton Pits for Beginners: A Quiet Wildlife Walk

wigeon

A beginner-friendly wildlife walk at Paxton Pits in Cambridgeshire. What to look for, when to visit, where to wait, and how to enjoy quiet days.

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Oct 04, 2026

Wildlife in the UK | Wildlife & Nature Photography Field Guides

portrait of the author Carol Leather

Species ID and photography guides for UK wildlife: birds, butterflies and small creatures, with practical tips for improving your own photos.

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Oct 04, 2026

East Yorkshire Cliffs & Wildlife: Flamborough, Bempton, Spurn

portrait of the author Carol Leather

Explore East Yorkshire's best coast spots: Spurn Point, Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs. Accessible viewpoints, tide/erosion tips, seabirds.

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Oct 04, 2026

Where to see wildlife in England - walks arranged by county

portrait of the author Carol Leather

A county-by-county guide to wildlife walks and nature reserves in England, from crane-watching in the Fens to seabird cliffs in Yorkshire.

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Oct 04, 2026

Nature for Beginners: How to Start Exploring Wildlife

portrait of the author Carol Leather

Feeling lost in the outdoors? Learn how to plan a great wildlife day out, identify your first birds, and take photos you're proud of. Your starting point.

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Sep 26, 2026

Rutland Water Nature Reserve: When to See the Ospreys

When the ospreys arrive, which hides to head for, and what a winter day among 25,000 waterfowl feels like, from my own visits to Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

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Aug 23, 2026

Grafham Water Nature Reserve: 8 Hides & a 9-Mile Walk

portrait of the author Carol Leather

8 bird hides, goldeneye, bitterns and avocets around an 80-hectare Cambridgeshire reservoir. A 9-mile circular walk with cafe, hides and seasonal highlights

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Step Behind the Wild Lens

Seasonal field notes from my wildlife walks: recent encounters, the story behind favourite photos, and simple, practical tips you can use on your next outing.