Carol's Nature Photography Blog

The pages on this site document my walks in the East of England and on vacation 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.

Mar 03, 2026

Getting Into Wildlife Photography Beginner Tips, Settings & Fieldcraft

A Jackdaw on the ground in bright sunlight, leaning forward on short grass with a curved grass stem arched above its back.

Beginner's guide to wildlife photography — from camera settings and golden hour lighting to fieldcraft, composition and ethical practice. Start shooting today.

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Mar 03, 2026

Flamborough Head: Seabirds & Cliffs on Yorkshire's Coast

tree sparrow

Gannets, puffins, guillemots and razorbills on the dramatic cliffs of Flamborough Head. What to see, when to visit, plus the Yorkshire Belle boat trip.

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Mar 02, 2026

Finding and photographing rare swallowtail butterflies in the UK

Where and when to find rare swallowtail butterflies in the Norfolk Broads — plus tips for photographing Britain's largest and most elusive butterfly.

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Mar 02, 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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Mar 02, 2026

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

gannet courtship

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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Mar 02, 2026

Best Wind Direction for Head-On Bird Flight Photos on Cliffs

Wind at your back, sun behind you, and a quartering angle of 30–45° gives the best keeper rate. On cliffs, find the lift band where birds pass at eye level.

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Feb 27, 2026

Chiffchaff vs Willow Warbler: How to Tell Them Apart

A common chiffchaff perched on a lichen-covered branch, looking slightly upward. The bird appears compact and alert, with olive-brown upperparts, pale underparts, and dark legs.

The chiffchaff and willow warbler look almost identical — here's how to tell them apart using subtle visual clues, behaviour and habitat, not just song.

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Feb 27, 2026

Woodland Birds: A Simple ID Guide by Sight and Sound

chiff chaff

Identify common UK woodland birds by their calls and appearance. A simple, beginner-friendly guide to the birds you'll see and hear on a walk through the woods.

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Feb 27, 2026

The Best Nature Walks in Cambridgeshire

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

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Feb 27, 2026

Common Chiffchaff: The Bird That Sings Its Name

A common chiffchaff perched in a tree, beak open in song. The bird faces slightly sideways, catching the spring morning light.

Meet the Common Chiffchaff — a small warbler that sings its own name. Identify it by song and sight, plus where to find it and when to listen for it in the UK.

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Feb 27, 2026

Golden Hour Photography: How to Capture Warm Light (Settings & Tips)

mallard in flight

A nature photographer's guide to golden hour — when to shoot, camera settings, composition tricks and tips for capturing warm cinematic light outdoors.

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Feb 27, 2026

Why Won't My Camera Focus? Simple Fixes From a Wildlife Photographer

The camera would not focus on the damselfly!

Frustrated by blurry photos? A simple checklist of focus fixes that work in the field and beyond — from common rookie mistakes to settings you may have missed.

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Feb 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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Feb 24, 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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Feb 24, 2026

Mute Swans: UK Guide to Behaviour, Sounds, Lifespan & Photos

Are mute swans really mute? How long do they live? Behaviour, breeding, hissing, cygnets, feeding tips — plus photography advice from UK lake and river walks.

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Feb 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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Feb 01, 2026

Butterfly Photography: Macro Tips, Best Camera & Beautiful Photos

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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Jan 24, 2026

How to Edit a Wildlife Photo for Natural-Looking Results

robin before being cropped

Learn how to edit a wildlife photo step by step — cropping, exposure, colour, sharpening and noise reduction in Lightroom. Friendly tips for beginners.

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Jan 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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Dec 23, 2025

Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography: Shutter, Aperture & ISO

Goldcrest catching food mid air

A step-by-step field guide to shutter speed, aperture and ISO—plus quick focus and histogram checks—so your wildlife photos feel like the moment.

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Dec 12, 2025

Camera Settings for Wildlife & Nature Photography in the UK

robin with blurred background

Simple camera settings for wildlife and nature photography — aperture, shutter and ISO cheat-sheet to help UK beginners capture sharper, better-exposed shots

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Dec 07, 2025

Monks Wood Nature Reserve: A Beginner's Guide

Feeling overwhelmed by nature? Discover Monks Wood, Cambridgeshire's quietest ancient woodland. Get simple tips to find peace and make your first discovery.

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Dec 05, 2025

Bird Beak Types: What Beaks Tell You About How Birds Live

The spatula shaped beak of a shoveler duck

Learn to identify bird beak types and what they reveal about diet, habitat and behaviour. A visual guide for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

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Dec 05, 2025

Wildlife in the UK | Wildlife & Nature Photography Field Guides

bird beaks

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

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Dec 02, 2025

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

robin

Stop memorising lists. Start making friends. A simple, personal method for how to identify wild birds. Turn a confusing blur into characters you know by name.

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Photo of Carol

About the Author

I’m a wildlife photographer who learns on everyday walks. This site is my field notebook: practical photo tips, gentle ID help, and walk ideas to help you see more—wherever you are.

I write for people who care about doing this ethically, who want to enjoy the outing (not stress about the gear), and who'd like to come home with photos that match the memory — or at least the quiet satisfaction of time well spent.

Read more about me

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.