I woke up at the crack of dawn, well before the birds were even stirring, and found myself staring up at the ceiling, counting sheep. But then I had an idea – I could get up and go on a wildlife photography adventure! I had heard rumors of barn owls and stoats in the area, and I knew that Brockholes Nature Reserve would be the perfect place to start my search.
I quickly packed my camera gear and headed out to the reserve, feeling hopeful and excited. As I arrived at my chosen spot, I began setting up my camera and tripod, all the while donning my best Ghillie suit to try and blend in with my surroundings.
As the sun started to rise and the birds began their morning chorus, I patiently waited for the elusive barn owl to appear. And sure enough, after half an hour of watching and waiting, it finally showed up – but not where I expected it to be! It flew and hunted behind me, making it impossible to get the perfect shot. But I didn’t let that get me down – it was still a thrill just to watch it hunt for a few minutes.
After my unsuccessful attempt at capturing the barn owl, I packed up my gear and decided to explore the reserve on foot. The weather wasn’t ideal – gray and overcast – but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the beauty of the woods and the diverse range of wildlife that called it home.
As I wandered through Boilton woods, I spotted small birds darting around, busily going about their day. Suddenly, a buzzard appeared out of nowhere, startled by my presence. I was taken aback by its size and beauty, and I felt lucky to have witnessed such a magnificent creature up close.
But my biggest thrill came when I spotted movement near a log pile. My heart raced as I quietly approached, camera at the ready. I crouched low, waiting with bated breath, and then it appeared – a weasel! I had never seen one before, and I was amazed at how small and quick it was. It darted around the log pile, and I managed to snap a few great shots before it disappeared into the underbrush.
All in all, my wildlife photography adventure at Brockholes Nature Reserve was a success. I may not have captured the barn owl, but I saw and photographed a range of other fascinating creatures that I will never forget. And I’m already looking forward to my next visit, armed with my camera and a sense of adventure!
Till next time,
Scott
scottpollard.uk
