Jen Read in Nature: The Birds and the Trees

Through her lens, Jen captures the intimate moments of nature in Folkstone. The quiet moments that reveal themselves as she patiently waits for wildlife to come to her. Jen shares her insights on spending time in amongst woodlands and trees to capture the wonder of the winged world of birds, and how she goes about this in the colder and darker autumn and winter months.

"The main thing I enjoy about photographing birds is the freedom and the peace and quiet. I really love learning their individual personalities the more I spend time with them. Some moments are fleeting, some are way more meaningful. They have so much against them on a daily basis and yet they can just appear and for just a moment, everything is okay. I’d guess to really sum it up, they are a grounding force that cannot be matched."

Spending time connecting with nature can be brilliant for our mental wellbeing. It can reduce anxiety, and help our minds rest. Jen explains, “Waiting for animals to come to you forces you to tune in to nature and relax. Forget the worries of the world. Once all that preparation has paid off, that magical moment always unfolds. I feel a sense of wonder and excitement.”

As summer fades and many of us settle back into familiar routines, it can be easy to rush from one day to the next without noticing the season unfolding around us. But, the colder months invite us to do the opposite. Jen explains, “I absolutely LOVE the colder, shorter days. I’m up for sunrise come sun, rain or cloud. Every morning I can is spent outside and if not morning, then just before sunset."

“It really is light dependent but if we’ve got a glorious winter’s day then every moment is spent waiting, learning and scouting. It’s much easier to find old nest locations in winter so I can plan where and how to find a spot that would be safest for the wildlife but for the potential of capturing their story come breeding season.”