There are a number of places in northwest England that I regularly visit for photographing nature. Some, I visit all year round whilst others are favoured at specific times, such as for wild flowers in May and June, fungi in late September and October or swans and geese migrating during winter months. Some places are for good for landscapes whilst others are more for birds or perhaps flowers. Sometimes, I head inland, to the hills or the moors up on the Pennines, whereas other times I like to go to the sea to stroll along the beach or amongst the dunes or to of the many lakes or meres or just to walk along a riverbank or canal. Several of these places are well known and there are often other photographers around when I visit, whilst others are those I have come across either by accident or on recommendation from others.

The north west is a great base, offering easy access to lots of very different places - countryside, farmland, hills, mountains, moorland, lakes, coastal areas, riverbanks, estuaries, cities - there is always somewhere to go whatever mood you happen to be in.

I always take a camera and at least a short and medium length lens plus extenders whenever I travel anywhere, whether for personal or business reasons, or for freelance assignments, just in case so invariably I get opportunities to discover other places to go in different parts of the country.

After working for over 10 years without a holiday, I now try to get away, even if only for a few days, at least once each year and so that again provides opportunities to discover and explore new places.

The places I love to visit and in which I have taken photographs, will feature in this blog along with recommendations as appropriate for the time of year to visit or what to look for. I hope it is useful