All Change!

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the weather has been very strange this year. Climate change is in evidence. The sun has been reluctant to show itself at times, rainfall has been higher and the tones of autumn seem to be arriving earlier than usual. The sea of butterflies once enjoyed in the orchard are now a distant memory and the ones I have seen, are looking very faded and tatty. It is fairly clear that the season is changing.

On the subject of change, I had also noticed the sun getting lower in the sky. My carefully constructed bird photography area was now being cast into more shadow during the day and I realised that I would have to address the problem. Good light is obviously important, so my next task was to work out the well-lit areas of the field and then, on top of that, a suitable spot to set up the hide. Over the course of several days with a few early morning visits, I found an area that would give me enough light through the winter months too. All that was left to do was to move the hide and my landing perches and posts. This was achieved after a quick survey of the new location ensuring that I was not disturbing any other wildlife.

So the scene was set, viewing from inside the hide now gave me visibility for the entire length of the orchard and with the sun behind me. Apart from the many species of birds - including lesser-spotted woodpecker and a buzzard that lands occasionally - I have also spotted fox, pine marten and roe deer in this location. I will now be able to see them coming and am maximising the photography opportunities. I can see that the orchard is subject to many visits from wildlife, as the trails through the long grass are quite obvious. There is even evidence of roe deer, possibly wild boar, settling down under one of the apple trees with an area of flattened grass.

I cannot control the changing of the seasons but I can adapt to it. I would be the first one to admit that I feel a sense of disappointment when summer approaches its end. The thought of no more warm summer strolls for a while and a return to the short daylight hours saddens me. But when I process these feelings, I realise I can build inner resilience by celebrating the wonders of nature that each season offers and look for the positives that change can bring. After all, they say that variety is the spice of life! So in reality, if I am to stay connected with nature, I need to follow its lead. Nature doesn’t stop when there is change but adapts to it. If nature can do this, then I must ask, why can’t I?