I was born and bred in the Halliwell area of Bolton and from being a youngster always liked walking in the local countryside; around Smithills and Barrow Bridge were my favourite spots. I have a great love of nature, the countryside and photography. I was a volunteer ranger from the early 1990’s when Bolton Council owned Smithills estate. The Woodland Trust bought the estate in 2015, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to help as a volunteer again, so I re-registered soon afterwards.

​

I have taken landscapes in the past, but my main photographic interest now is with Macro photography, taking shots of flowers, insects, butterflies etc. Since joining the Photography Group, when it was founded a couple years ago, I feel my photography skills have greatly improved, as it is a very friendly group, willing to share their ideas and expertise. The Woodland Trust have also given me a purpose and focus for my work, which helps channel my creativity.

 

I now live in Radcliffe, and during the early part of lockdown was unable to visit Smithills. As the weather during this time was very warm and sunny I spent most of it in our garden, photographing the numerous varied flowers and insects. I noticed much more, small natural creatures and flowers, than before. I discovered rosemary beetles on our lavender, alder beetles on many different leaf types, lots of different types of bees humming throughout the garden and became obsessed with our orange corn marigolds!

​

I hope you enjoy looking at these photos, as much as I have enjoyed taking them. I’m never happier than when I have a camera in my hand, taking photos of nature, and this has made all the difference in lockdown.

​

​