News
My heartfelt thanks to all of you lovely people who have purchased pictures from me this year or taken the time to read my blog updates, I confess to not be so quick to update the galleries but the slideshow and the blog page are usually refreshed monthly.
I am now selling my greetings card range direct from my website with payment through Paypal.
A range of my cards are now being sold in the Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Musuem gift shop and reflect the animals and wildlife found on the farm.
A further range is now on sale at the Norfolk Herb farm that is a little more tailored for garden and wildlife lovers. Ollie, Michelle and Rosie look forward to greeting new and existing customers to their recently extended shop that has a lovely seating area and a coffee machine!
I continue to thank all the loyal customers who visit Algy's Farm Shop to buy my cards. I take the majority of my hare pictures on the actual farm itself so it's wonderful that I get to share some of the magic happening in the fields. Algy's farm shop stocks a host of delicious, locally produced foods in addition to birdseed and his home produced popcorn! Located on the Fakenham Road at Bintree it's very clearly signposted as you approach it.
In the meantime stay safe, stay well and here's hoping that your own little patch of garden and local wildlife may do some healing for your soul.
I am now selling my greetings card range direct from my website with payment through Paypal.
A range of my cards are now being sold in the Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Musuem gift shop and reflect the animals and wildlife found on the farm.
A further range is now on sale at the Norfolk Herb farm that is a little more tailored for garden and wildlife lovers. Ollie, Michelle and Rosie look forward to greeting new and existing customers to their recently extended shop that has a lovely seating area and a coffee machine!
I continue to thank all the loyal customers who visit Algy's Farm Shop to buy my cards. I take the majority of my hare pictures on the actual farm itself so it's wonderful that I get to share some of the magic happening in the fields. Algy's farm shop stocks a host of delicious, locally produced foods in addition to birdseed and his home produced popcorn! Located on the Fakenham Road at Bintree it's very clearly signposted as you approach it.
In the meantime stay safe, stay well and here's hoping that your own little patch of garden and local wildlife may do some healing for your soul.
Garden Help
10th July 2022 - 0 comments
10th July 2022 - 0 comments
It's always wonderful to discover an unexpected friend lurking beneath the flower pots. Given the current hot weather and lack of rainfall, amenities such as sanctuary and shade must be a top lodging requirement.
Toads, lizards, newts are frequent finds but my favourite is always a charismatic frog.
I love the colour tones of its skin and how that changes in the natural light. Despite a lack of facial features the tilt of a frog's head together with some very assertive body language can convey a whole vocabulary of emotion at being found.
This rather splendid frog is the first inhabitant of a new flower bed in the garden makeover. Using the recently relaid patio as its runway "our" frog has found a wonderful damp cool spot to hide.
Toads, lizards, newts are frequent finds but my favourite is always a charismatic frog.
I love the colour tones of its skin and how that changes in the natural light. Despite a lack of facial features the tilt of a frog's head together with some very assertive body language can convey a whole vocabulary of emotion at being found.
This rather splendid frog is the first inhabitant of a new flower bed in the garden makeover. Using the recently relaid patio as its runway "our" frog has found a wonderful damp cool spot to hide.
Poppy Paddock
07th July 2022 - 0 comments
07th July 2022 - 0 comments
I have been trying...really hard to get an image of a hare amongst the poppies. Desperate four very early morning starts, four hour vigils and all the patience I can muster the hares still allude me.
It's not that they aren't there, it's just often all I can see is a tip of an ear or something disturbs them at the very last moment and they change their direction away from me.
A very robust and rowdy roe buck came back on two occasions the other morning to check me out. On both occasions I had been holding my breath as a couple of hares had been making their way to me for an epic photo opportunity. Needless to say they scattered and disappeared from view.
Not sure which will fade first, the poppies or my patience!
It's not that they aren't there, it's just often all I can see is a tip of an ear or something disturbs them at the very last moment and they change their direction away from me.
A very robust and rowdy roe buck came back on two occasions the other morning to check me out. On both occasions I had been holding my breath as a couple of hares had been making their way to me for an epic photo opportunity. Needless to say they scattered and disappeared from view.
Not sure which will fade first, the poppies or my patience!
Badgering on
20th June 2022 - 0 comments
20th June 2022 - 0 comments
It's only taken a year and probably half a ton of peanuts to finally manage to get a photo of our garden visiting badger.
Our badger is now making an appearance about 9pm most evenings but it's still pretty skittish and unpredictable. Running away at the smallest of strange noises and the hint of possible danger.
So I will still keep badgering on for an epic badger photo in the hope of getting something better.
Consider this to be a work in progress:
Our badger is now making an appearance about 9pm most evenings but it's still pretty skittish and unpredictable. Running away at the smallest of strange noises and the hint of possible danger.
So I will still keep badgering on for an epic badger photo in the hope of getting something better.
Consider this to be a work in progress:
The lawn ranger
17th June 2022 - 0 comments
17th June 2022 - 0 comments
I may not have been getting many pictures of hares in the fields but I have at last managed to capture a couple of sweet moments of a leveret, that has been bouncing through the garden this spring.
It's an enormous thrill seeing those big, amber eyes looking through the fence and a privilege to watch all those first time experiences and discoveries.
It's an enormous thrill seeing those big, amber eyes looking through the fence and a privilege to watch all those first time experiences and discoveries.
Back to the beet
17th June 2022 - 0 comments
17th June 2022 - 0 comments
So far not much luck with my hares this season, they have been proving allusive in their usual fields and much of this is due to the diversity of crops being grown this year.
So it's back to the sugar beet for a few early morning sessions in the hope of capturing a customer pleasing shot or two!
So it's back to the sugar beet for a few early morning sessions in the hope of capturing a customer pleasing shot or two!
Dear o deer
16th June 2022 - 0 comments
16th June 2022 - 0 comments
It was what I would call an almost opportunity this morning: I watched a very vocal, roe buck get closer and closer, willing him to get into camera range. Thwarted by the growing sweet corn crop and long grass it was difficult to get a clear shot.
Just when I thought I would get a clear shot I must have given myself away, as he bolted. Curiosity overcame him and after a few minutes he walked back to check me out so gave me the chance for a few frantic clicks of the camera.
Just when I thought I would get a clear shot I must have given myself away, as he bolted. Curiosity overcame him and after a few minutes he walked back to check me out so gave me the chance for a few frantic clicks of the camera.
The last dandelion
20th May 2022 - 0 comments
20th May 2022 - 0 comments
Over the last couple of weeks I have been a model of self restraint!
Most evenings and early mornings, a young hare has been feasting on the lawn filling its dear, little cheeks with lush, clover leaves and tender, new, grass stalks.
Last night I spied the perfect dandelion, in the perfect location, in the middle of the lawn. In fact it was the last dandelion left so my hopes were high for a chance of a sweet, little dandelion and hare moment.
But look what happened!
Before the light became good, before the hare had made an appearance, before I was even ready..a bullfinch came and stole the last dandelion and didn't even have the grace to look at the camera while he did it!
The little hare did eventually appear as did the inevitable squirrel but given the lawn will be mown this weekend, my dandelion and hare moment may be over for this year
Most evenings and early mornings, a young hare has been feasting on the lawn filling its dear, little cheeks with lush, clover leaves and tender, new, grass stalks.
Last night I spied the perfect dandelion, in the perfect location, in the middle of the lawn. In fact it was the last dandelion left so my hopes were high for a chance of a sweet, little dandelion and hare moment.
But look what happened!
Before the light became good, before the hare had made an appearance, before I was even ready..a bullfinch came and stole the last dandelion and didn't even have the grace to look at the camera while he did it!
The little hare did eventually appear as did the inevitable squirrel but given the lawn will be mown this weekend, my dandelion and hare moment may be over for this year
Dandelion Dazzle
04th May 2022 - 0 comments
04th May 2022 - 0 comments
I have been trying my hand on flower photography, not sure I really know what I am doing my in my own way am trying to pay homage to the humble dandelion.
It's the sort of cheery flower than can brighten your day when in full flower and but also become a little more mystical by the time it goes to seed.
Perfect to attract insects and even some larger visitors as a rather relaxing setting to zone out in.
It's the sort of cheery flower than can brighten your day when in full flower and but also become a little more mystical by the time it goes to seed.
Perfect to attract insects and even some larger visitors as a rather relaxing setting to zone out in.
Wild about Garlic
04th May 2022 - 0 comments
04th May 2022 - 0 comments
If you go down to the woods today it's not just bluebells that overwhelm the senses. I have discovered the wonders of wild garlic and in between all the usual activities am now bottling up a store of garlic pesto!
Having laid in the woods amongst bluebells and garlic I do go home smelling a treat!
Having laid in the woods amongst bluebells and garlic I do go home smelling a treat!
Feeling blue
01st May 2022 - 0 comments
01st May 2022 - 0 comments
If you go down to the woods today its bluebell time again and they are almost at their peak of being heavenly scented and a hazy spectacle. So feeling blue is for sure a positive emotion for those of us lucky to enjoy this annual colour transformation.
Not to be confused by the larger and more vividly coloured Spanish bluebell that appears in lots of garden borders, true English bluebells have that wonderful perfume and curl over in an arch or bell curve shape.
You can't feel anything but uplifted walking through a wood carpeted in bluebells:
Not to be confused by the larger and more vividly coloured Spanish bluebell that appears in lots of garden borders, true English bluebells have that wonderful perfume and curl over in an arch or bell curve shape.
You can't feel anything but uplifted walking through a wood carpeted in bluebells:
Duckling and diving
30th April 2022 - 0 comments
30th April 2022 - 0 comments
I have always loved baby ducks, what's not to love! Picture book cute, tenacious and feisty, so much character and determination from a little bundle of fluff.
I had forgotten how quickly those little legs could run when trying to keep up with their mother and how loud their alarmed contact peeps are when they lose sight of her and the rest of the family. I'd also forgotten the emotional highs and lows of unfolding drama, miraculous recoveries, terrible acts of violence and moments of motherly tenderness.
Duckling watching isn't for the faint hearted that's for sure. Having helped to rescue one little urchin who had fallen through a drain cover I spent the next hour trying to guide him back to his family. Rebuffed and chased away by every other female duck on the pond he was eventually reunited with his siblings but I felt as though I had aged a couple of years at the very least in the process.
I had forgotten how quickly those little legs could run when trying to keep up with their mother and how loud their alarmed contact peeps are when they lose sight of her and the rest of the family. I'd also forgotten the emotional highs and lows of unfolding drama, miraculous recoveries, terrible acts of violence and moments of motherly tenderness.
Duckling watching isn't for the faint hearted that's for sure. Having helped to rescue one little urchin who had fallen through a drain cover I spent the next hour trying to guide him back to his family. Rebuffed and chased away by every other female duck on the pond he was eventually reunited with his siblings but I felt as though I had aged a couple of years at the very least in the process.
No kidding
21st April 2022 - 0 comments
21st April 2022 - 0 comments
I had the chance to pop over to see Zoe of Moorend Moisturisers and her recent baby additions to her goat family.
The kids jumped and leapt around in the late afternoon sunshine but followed their mothers close to heel.
Laying down with my camera in their lush, grassy field I even had one of them on my back for a while, which I think is now considered to be a phenomenon called goat yoga. Not sure it's something I would recommend when they get to full adult size but it was relaxing and joyous to be part of the herd for a short while.
https://moorendmoisturisers.co.uk/shop/
The kids jumped and leapt around in the late afternoon sunshine but followed their mothers close to heel.
Laying down with my camera in their lush, grassy field I even had one of them on my back for a while, which I think is now considered to be a phenomenon called goat yoga. Not sure it's something I would recommend when they get to full adult size but it was relaxing and joyous to be part of the herd for a short while.
https://moorendmoisturisers.co.uk/shop/
Fake snow
20th April 2022 - 0 comments
20th April 2022 - 0 comments
Every year I try to photograph hares in a different crop and I think I have found a new favourite spot to try out something different.
It may look like we had snow over the Easter weekend but in fact we had perfect sunshine and blue skies. Netting put up by Algy to protect the tender young pumpkin plants from being nibbled or attacked by the frost hasn't stopped the hares romping across it in pursuit of their normal day to day activities.
Early days yet but I do feel there is a creative opportunity to try for in this unusual setting.
It may look like we had snow over the Easter weekend but in fact we had perfect sunshine and blue skies. Netting put up by Algy to protect the tender young pumpkin plants from being nibbled or attacked by the frost hasn't stopped the hares romping across it in pursuit of their normal day to day activities.
Early days yet but I do feel there is a creative opportunity to try for in this unusual setting.
A pheasant way to start the day
20th April 2022 - 0 comments
20th April 2022 - 0 comments
In the pursuit of catching up with my favourite hares the other morning I was distracted by a couple of very handsome boys strutting their stuff!
Without a single female insight to fight over the boys marched up and down the field and then back agin to basically just show off. At least they gave me something to photograph as I have no idea where the hares have gone to at the moment.
Without a single female insight to fight over the boys marched up and down the field and then back agin to basically just show off. At least they gave me something to photograph as I have no idea where the hares have gone to at the moment.
Easter Bunny
11th April 2022 - 0 comments
11th April 2022 - 0 comments
I have been waiting for my first baby bunny picture of the year and the timing has worked out perfectly for Easter.
A little shy, a little curious, this little one gradually made an appearance in front of my camera this morning.
A little shy, a little curious, this little one gradually made an appearance in front of my camera this morning.
Lambs akimbo
31st March 2022 - 0 comments
31st March 2022 - 0 comments
I have been enjoying hours of fun watching lambs careering and chasing each other across local fields in the late, afternoon sunshine.
I love how they gather in little groups and find ways to burn off energy after a lazy day of feeding and nuzzling with mum.It seems as though they have a strong competitive nature and run various heats to determine which lamb may be the fastest sprinter. Noticeably there is always one rebel rouser who winds up the group and gets them to chase him across the field.
More difficult to capture with the camera is their unexpected leaps of sheer joy in the air and despite several attempts I still haven't got a full body shot yet but it's a challenge I happily accept!
I love how they gather in little groups and find ways to burn off energy after a lazy day of feeding and nuzzling with mum.It seems as though they have a strong competitive nature and run various heats to determine which lamb may be the fastest sprinter. Noticeably there is always one rebel rouser who winds up the group and gets them to chase him across the field.
More difficult to capture with the camera is their unexpected leaps of sheer joy in the air and despite several attempts I still haven't got a full body shot yet but it's a challenge I happily accept!
That Monday morning feeling
14th March 2022 - 0 comments
14th March 2022 - 0 comments
The sun was out and the temperature was a balmy 9 degrees, so I confess I was expecting a little more hare action this morning.
Alas I don't think they got the memo as it was more yawning than yomping, more slumbering than sprinting so all in all it was a very sedate start to the week.
Alas I don't think they got the memo as it was more yawning than yomping, more slumbering than sprinting so all in all it was a very sedate start to the week.
The sunshine factor
28th February 2022 - 0 comments
28th February 2022 - 0 comments
After the last couple of weeks of stormy weather it's not just me glad to have calmer winds and milder temperatures. Just the hint of some sunshine seems to have encouraged some noses to be poked out of holes in the hope that spring may well be on its way.
The hares certainly think so and the annual march madness has clearly begun.
The hares certainly think so and the annual march madness has clearly begun.
It's been a good year so far: Part 2
28th February 2022 - 0 comments
28th February 2022 - 0 comments
I don't think I have ever seen so many Roe Deer as I have been seeing so far this year.
One 14 strong herd crossed a field alongside a fairly busy road the other evening all nose to tail.
Today I came across another 10 strong herd and with camera in hand. Sadly, the light was still gloomy and my photograph recordings are a little grainy to say the least but it was a special moment nevertheless.
One 14 strong herd crossed a field alongside a fairly busy road the other evening all nose to tail.
Today I came across another 10 strong herd and with camera in hand. Sadly, the light was still gloomy and my photograph recordings are a little grainy to say the least but it was a special moment nevertheless.
It's been a good year so far for....
24th February 2022 - 0 comments
24th February 2022 - 0 comments
Despite the unpredictable weather and sometimes getting two or three seasonal weather changes in one day it has been a good start to the year for snowdrops, fieldfares and green plovers.
Flocks of the winter thrushes and the plovers have been gathering in the surrounding local fields in numbers I have never seen the like of before.
I thought it was going to be easy to get a shot or two of something spectacular but alas with that many eyes on look out I never got a chance for anything meaningful. Just as I thought the birds were coming into shot something spooked them and they would fly off to the far reaches of the field.
The snowdrops were slightly easier to photograph on the rare occasion this month when the wind ceased and they stopped dancing in the very stiff breeze.
Flocks of the winter thrushes and the plovers have been gathering in the surrounding local fields in numbers I have never seen the like of before.
I thought it was going to be easy to get a shot or two of something spectacular but alas with that many eyes on look out I never got a chance for anything meaningful. Just as I thought the birds were coming into shot something spooked them and they would fly off to the far reaches of the field.
The snowdrops were slightly easier to photograph on the rare occasion this month when the wind ceased and they stopped dancing in the very stiff breeze.