I woke this morning to a blanket of mist on the meadow behind my house and, despite the sunny and hot days this week, it actually felt a bit Autumnal. That Autumn may come early this year was born out on a river walk this weekend, when I suddenly realised the Sand Martins were absent having already begun their migration back to Africa and the piping call of the Oystercatcher was also missing, despite the fact we’re not even mid way through August. It only seems like days ago when I first saw both their return, signalling the start of Spring, and I’m not ready yet for summer to be over!

My soul finds peace and nurture near water. I’ve never been much interested in the sea – far too many people, plus the water always feels somehow turbulent – but I spend many hours either walking or sitting by my local rivers and love the nature, solitude and tranquillity I find there.

I hadn’t been nestled in the river bank for long this weekend when what sounded like a heard of wild horses galloped past my head! I peeked cautiously over the top of the banking to find four Hares chasing each other around the field, their pounding feet loud in the stillness, and I managed to catch a quick picture of one of them before a dog walker further along the path scared them away.

The water level in the river is currently low which meant there wasn’t the usual bird life of Heron, Kingfisher or Egret, but I spotted a Dipper and there were insects in abundance. I saw a pair of mating Green Veined White Butterflies, though there was too much vegetation to capture a decent shot, and I sat for ages watching damselflies mate and hunt for food.

It’s amazing the amount of wildlife I see on just this tiny stretch of river, though I’m sure it’s down to the fact that the Eden is a designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and there are very strict rules about what can and cannot be discharged into it. One thing’s for sure, there wouldn’t be Heron, Egrets, Kingfishers or Oystercatchers on the river if there weren’t food and there are also enough fish to keep a local Otter family well fed.

Tomorrow I’m travelling down to South Cumbria, having been commissioned to take some new portrait photos for a client’s adverting and social media, and I’m excited as it’s a new venture for me. Speaking of which, I’d better go and check my kit. Make sure my batteries are full, my memory cards are empty and I have the right flashes, stands, backdrops, soft boxes and reflectors and everything is working as it should! Keep your fingers crossed that it goes well for me 🤞🏻