While photographs are a great way of showing you guys the things I see, they only show part of what it is that I experience when I'm outdoors. It's the 'being outdoors' bit that means more to me than any photograph can tell. Yes, I love taking the best images I can, but without wildlife and nature, it would mean nothing other than just clicking some buttons. I've spent little time with my sound recording gear this year but I'm hoping I find the time to change that this year. It's not just the visual elements that revitalise's us when we're exposed to nature, it's what we smell, touch and hear. I can't share smells with you, at-least not yet, maybe one day?, but I can share the sound's of our environment and bring the outdoors, in.

This is the objective of my new business, and while I'm still un-decided on a name, I'm settling so far on 'NatureHUB', a place to purchase wildlife media and a place for wildlife walks, talks and training. I strongly believe that Nature is the best therapy for people experiencing stress in their busy, overcrowded, noisy lives. When was the last time you truly experienced silence? If it's been a long time, maybe that's something for the to-do list for 2018?. If I can help you experience nature and learn more about wildlife in the process, then I'd feel much more complete as a person.

Sound Recording this year as been a poor effort but I did have this beautiful mimicking Song Thrush earlier in the year to save the day. During this song I could pick out at-least four difference species. There's probably even more than that but this was particularly special as it was mimicking a Green Woodpecker! Of all the beautiful sounding birds to mimick, why it choose the sound of a Green Woodpecker?.. I do not know.. lol. Either way, it seems to work well the way he does it.

To wrap up this lengthy blog post, I hope you've all had a fabulous Christmas and have an even better New Year ahead of you.

As 2016 comes to a close, it's time to reflect, learn and move forward. Personally, despite many of my friends, family and loved ones having a tough year, I can't grumble about anything. With a new Job (albeit temporary) and more future opportunities growing every day, I'm going into 2017 very positive. If I were to have any resolutions, it would be to print / sell more of my photographs, so as of January, I'll be committing to an online web-based store selling both calendars and photography prints in various forms (canvas and aluminium prints). My prices aren't going to cheap to start off with as I will need to print them commercially but hopefully with more experience, they will become more affordable and therefor more profitable. It will however be easy so long as you're used to using Paypal for your online orders.

To reflect on 2016, here are some of my favourite photographs. I know it's been slow since September, that's simply due to lack of time in the day. Hopefully that will change once Spring 2017 arrives and we gain more light in the evenings. I'll try my best and I'm sure you will give 2017 your best also. Happy New Year to all of my friends, family and followers, I hope it brings you Joy.

Blog Content

2017's Highlights

New Year Goals