Nature requires a little bit of patience but can be really enjoyable

Capturing stunning images in nature requires a little bit of patience but can be really enjoyable. This image was taken at a local fishing pool during the height of COVID-19 lockdown, by using my 'exercise' allowance, I often took a walk with my camera to the local pool and kept my eyes peeled for any photo opportunities.

This was the perfect time of year to visit the local nature pond

This was the perfect time of year to visit the local nature pond, there were lots of geese, swans and ducks with their young and being in lockdown.

Many families out having some fresh air and feeding them so they were up close to the banks of the pond, making them easy pickings for a would be passer by who just happens to have his camera with him, armed and ready to shoot!

It was nice watching the young playing together and staying still long enough

It was nice watching the young playing together and staying still long enough, they stopped being wary of you brandishing your big black camera and started to interact together, play if you will (Though I don't speak duck so can't really tell what they were doing).

Either way, they made for very willing subjects and getting down low to the edge of the bank, I was able to get the images to feel closer to the subject rather than towering above and shooting from upon high.

Capturing families together also made for a good framed shot

Capturing families together also made for a good framed shot, the proud mum at the back keeping a watchful eye on her signets and the signets dutifully staying together.

Though given how nasty swans can be, I'm not sure I'd be getting out of line with mum in such close range.

Again, staying low helps to feel closer to the subjects.

No trip outdoors is complete without a friendly Robin

No trip outdoors is complete without a friendly Robin popping by to see what you are up to. Robins make for great subjects I find as they are very inquisitive and will often stay around while you get your perfect shot. Though in this case, this little one didn't stay very log at all, so I only managed to snap him from the back.

Shot with a low aperture (F2.8), this image shows the soft blurring of the background while having Mr Robin in focus, this helps to separate the noisy background from the subject to really focus the beholders eye.

I love capturing a story with my photography and shots like these

I love capturing a story with my photography and shots like these, especially with a caption are great fun. I imagine this little fella saying "Woah... don't get so close!"

You can almost see his recoil and his eyes turning down looking along his beak. Great expression without any facial movement at all.

Shot at F2.8 1/100 second and an ISO of 80

I'm watching you!

Similar to the previous shot, this one feels like he is peering over his shoulder (If he had one) and rotating his eye to see behind, checking out what is going on. "I'm watching you!" he's saying.

As the photographer, I believe its your job to decide where the eyes of the beholder should focus, that's in part due to framing but also due to the depth of field (focus) and any other distractions that may be in the picture.

Shot at F5.6 1/320 second and an ISO of 80