A few years back I decided to learn my way around a digital SLR, needing subjects to practice on, I started to explore the little patch of woodland and farmland near to where I live. To say I was surprised at the variety of birds, insect life and flora would be an understatement.
The exercise has re-awakened an interest in birdwatching and nature from when I was much younger, however now, I seem to see and appreciate the natural world far more, observing and wondering at how, from the soil upwards, through plants and insects to birds, reptiles and mammals, they all in some way have a place in the huge Nature Jigsaw.
I've never been one for notebooks, so the camera has helped me keep a pictorial nature diary of much of what I see and is an essential whenever I'm out having a wander, be it at home or if we are away. As I learnt my way around the camera, the end goal was to take photographs that I would not be embarressed to share, however, many of the images are very personal in that I can recall a particular day or visit somewhere from them as well as the delight in what I was seeing.
All of the images are of subjects that are going about their natural business and there are no captive species; beyond observing from a bird hide on a nature reserve or the garden bird feeders, the images are taken 'on the hoof' so to speak. From time to time, a blog will appear, describing a particular walk, signs of a season or the excitement of seeing something new.
I'm no expert on most of the species I see, learning as I go - the more I see, the more I realise I have to learn, but I am constantly amazed and delighted by the natural world and try to capture all aspects of this with my photography. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much I as enjoyed watching the subjects and taking them!
If of interest, my equipment is:
Canon Eos 70D
100-400mmL
70-300mmL
24-105mmL
Please do visit my website, where there are further galleries and regular blogs about the creatures that I observe through the seasons, both on my 'Local Patch' and further afield.
flylady-photography-by-wendy-cooper.foliopic.com (link - see above - visit website))
Wendy Cooper joined Fine Art America on September 6th, 2016.
