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.

Jun 20, 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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Jun 20, 2026

Getting Into Wildlife Photography: A Beginner's Guide

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

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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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 2026

Rutland Water Nature Reserve: Wildlife, Ospreys & Photos

Photos and a first-hand guide to the wildlife at Rutland Water Nature Reserve: winter waterfowl, summer ospreys, the best hides and when to visit.

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Jun 09, 2026

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

portrait of the author Carol Leather

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

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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 2026

Rutland Belle Osprey Cruise: Dawn Trip & What You'll See

portrait of the author Carol Leather

What it's like aboard the Rutland Belle on a dawn osprey cruise: the ospreys we spotted (including male 33), the other wildlife, and what to bring.

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Jun 09, 2026

English Bluebells: Photography Tips at Brampton Wood

single english bluebell

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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Jun 09, 2026

Pitsford Water Nature Reserve: 8 Bird Hides & a 7-Mile Walk

sunrise ruins

Eight bird hides around the shoreline, egrets, grebes and red-crested pochards. A 7-mile reserve walk in Northamptonshire. Permit needed, free for members

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Jun 09, 2026

RSPB Nene Washes in Winter: Short-Eared Owls at Sunrise

portrait of the author Carol Leather

A frosty winter sunrise at RSPB Nene Washes, with Short-eared Owls, Whooper Swans, Lapwings and roe deer, plus the photo settings I used that morning.

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Jun 09, 2026

Paxton Pits for Beginners: A Quiet Wildlife Walk

portrait of the author Carol Leather

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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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 2026

RSPB Fowlmere: Hares, Grebes & What to Expect on Your Visit

portrait of the author Carol Leather

What's RSPB Fowlmere really like? Teal, brown hares, grebes with chicks and sedge warblers in the reeds. A quiet Cambridgeshire reserve worth slowing down for

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Jun 09, 2026

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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Jun 09, 2026

Welches Dam: Birdwatching on the Ouse Washes in Winter

A winter birdwatching walk at Welches Dam. Whooper swans, marsh harriers, peregrines and pintails from sheltered hides on the flooded Ouse Washes.

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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 2026

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

portrait of the author Carol Leather

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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Jun 09, 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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Jun 09, 2026

Metering for Wildlife Photography: How Your Camera Reads Light

portrait of the author Carol Leather

Your camera guesses brightness for every shot. Learn how metering modes work, when to use exposure compensation and how to stop losing detail in wildlife photos

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Jun 09, 2026

Best Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography: A Field Guide

Wren on branch

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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Jun 09, 2026

Common Cranes in the UK: Where to See Them and What to Expect

portrait of the author Carol Leather

A guide to spotting common cranes in the UK: when and where to see them, including the Nene Washes. Tips for your first crane-watching visit.

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Carol Leather

I've spent over 30 years walking and photographing UK wildlife, with work featured in Canon EOS Magazine and a Wildlife Trusts calendar. I still learn something new on most outings.

This site is my field notebook full of photo tips, help on identifying what you see, and how to decide where to walk. 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.