Paul Cross Photography

     Link - Website Blog With More Images I had a brilliant day exploring Warnham Local Nature Reserve on 13th July 2025. The summer sunshine made for perfect conditions to spot and photograph a fascinating array of insects. During my visit, I was lucky enough to capture some stunning species, including: Blue-Tailed Damselfly Brown Hairstreak Comma Butterfly Common Blue Common Carder Bumblebee Ectemnius Cavifrons Gatekeeper Butterfly Large White Butterfly Small Copper White-Tailed Bumblebee Warnham never fails to impress with its rich diversity of wildlife. Every visit brings something new, and this day was no exception – from delicate butterflies flitting across the meadow to busy bumblebees collecting nectar. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer, an insect enthusiast, or simply enjoy being immersed in nature, Warnham Local Nature Reserve is always worth a visit. There’s something magical about seeing such a variety of species all in one place. I’m already looking forw...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images I spent a wonderful day at Warnham Local Nature Reserve on 13th July 2025, surrounded by the sights and sounds of summer in full swing. 🌿 During my visit, I had the pleasure of spotting and photographing the Green-Veined White butterfly. These delicate creatures are often overlooked, but I find them truly captivating. I was lucky enough to capture shots of one both in graceful flight and resting on vibrant flowers, showcasing their subtle beauty up close. 🦋 Butterfly photography can be a challenge — timing, focus, and patience all come into play — but moments like these make it incredibly rewarding. The Green-Veined White, with its understated elegance, reminded me why I love spending time in nature, camera in hand. I’ve shared a selection of my favourite shots from the day, and I’d love to hear which one catches your eye! #GreenVeinedWhite #WarnhamLocalNatureReserve #ButterflyPhotography #NatureMoments #UKWildlife #InsectsInFli...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On 13th July 2025, I was fortunate enough to witness something truly special at Warnham Local Nature Reserve — a Gasteruptiidae in flight! These fascinating wasp-like insects are instantly recognizable by their slender bodies and remarkably long ovipositors. Watching one hover and maneuver mid-air is a captivating sight, and it’s not often you get the chance to photograph them in action. Capturing these insects on camera is no easy task. Their quick movements and delicate frames make them a real challenge to photograph, but I managed to snap a few frames that I’m really pleased with. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love wildlife photography — the thrill of patience, observation, and timing all coming together in a single shot. I’d love to hear what you think of the images. Have you ever spotted a Gasteruptiidae, or had a similar experience photographing elusive insects? Share your thoughts and experiences — it’s alway...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the morning of 13th July, I spent some quiet time exploring Warnham Local Nature Reserve, a place that never fails to inspire with its natural beauty. While wandering through the meadows and wildflowers, I was lucky enough to capture a Honey Bee in mid-flight. 🐝✨ Watching these tiny creatures is always a marvel. Their speed and agility make photographing them a real challenge, but the reward is worth every attempt. There’s something magical about freezing a moment in time where a Honey Bee hovers, wings blurred, yet every detail of its body is sharp and alive. Moments like this remind me why I love macro photography and spending time in nature — it’s in these fleeting glimpses that the smallest details of the natural world come alive. If you enjoy observing wildlife up close, Warnham Local Nature Reserve is the perfect spot to slow down, watch, and capture these incredible moments.

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On 13th July 2025, I had the pleasure of spotting an incredible hummingbird hawk-moth at Warnham Local Nature Reserve. These fascinating little visitors never fail to capture the imagination with their rapid wing beats, delicate beauty, and unique hovering abilities that almost make them look like tiny hummingbirds in flight. Watching this tiny marvel of nature reminded me once again just how amazing the natural world can be. From its intricate patterns to its remarkable agility, every detail is a testament to the wonders of wildlife that surround us—even in our local reserves. Warnham LNR continues to be a fantastic spot for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. Encounters like these serve as a gentle reminder to slow down, observe, and appreciate the small but extraordinary creatures that share our environment. Have you spotted any fascinating visitors at your local nature reserve recently?

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the morning of July 13th, 2025, I spent a few peaceful hours at Ifield Mill Pond, surrounded by a soft blanket of mist. There’s something magical about early mornings like this—the quiet atmosphere, the muted light, and the way the fog drifts across the water, making every bird sighting feel like a moment suspended in time. The pond was alive with activity. A coot paddled gracefully through the still water, while a great crested grebe added a touch of elegance with its striking plumage. Not far away, a greylag goose glided silently through the fog, its movements almost ghostlike in the morning haze. Other familiar faces joined the scene: the ever-present mallard duck, a female mandarin duck showing off her subtle but stunning colours, and a mute swan drifting serenely across the water. Overhead, a swift darted back and forth, a reminder of the energy and life always buzzing above the calm surface. Each visit to Ifield Mill Pond...

Link - Website Blog With More Images Some days in wildlife photography, everything comes together in a single, fleeting moment. During a quiet morning visit to Ifield Mill Pond, I was fortunate enough to witness and capture one of nature’s most spectacular displays – a Common Tern diving for fish. These elegant birds are a joy to watch, with their slender wings and graceful flight patterns. What makes them truly special, though, is the speed and accuracy with which they hunt. In a matter of seconds, this tern spotted its prey from above, folded its wings, and plunged headfirst into the water. Moments later, it emerged victorious – a shimmering fish clutched tightly in its beak. As a photographer, it’s always thrilling to freeze such a fast, precise movement in a single frame. Encounters like these remind me why I spend so many early mornings by the water’s edge, waiting patiently for that perfect shot. Ifield Mill Pond continues to be a fantastic location for birdwatching and photograp...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On 13th July 2025, I had the privilege of spending time at Ifield Mill Pond, a beautiful local spot that never fails to surprise me with its wildlife encounters. Among the highlights of the day was watching a Black-headed Gull hunting with remarkable precision. These gulls might be familiar birds to many, often seen soaring above waterways or perched along lakesides, but seeing one actively fishing is a different experience altogether. With sharp eyes and quick reflexes, this particular gull dived into the water and surfaced with its catch in a single, seamless movement. It was a perfect display of nature’s efficiency and elegance in action. Moments like this are why I keep returning to places like Ifield Mill Pond. Watching wildlife in its natural habitat always brings a sense of wonder, reminding us of the skill and adaptability of even the most common species. I’ve captured a few shots from the encounter, and I’d love to know w...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 12th of July 2025, I spent a fantastic day exploring Warnham Local Nature Reserve. This reserve never fails to impress me with its variety of wildlife, and it once again offered up a mix of insects, birds, and plenty of photographic opportunities. Armed with my camera, I set out to see what I might discover, and the reserve didn’t disappoint. Among the highlights were: Blue-tailed Damselfly – These delicate insects are always a joy to watch, hovering around the water’s edge with their striking blue tails catching the light. Common Carder Bumblebee – One of the UK’s most charming pollinators, busy among the wildflowers. Common Red Soldier Beetle – Often seen on flower heads, these bright beetles add a splash of colour to summer meadows. Great Crested Grebe – A beautiful waterbird, often gliding gracefully across the lake. Watching one up close is always a special moment. Hornet – A powerful and often misunderstood insect. Th...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 12th of July 2025, I had the privilege of photographing one of nature’s most graceful insects – the Large White butterfly – at Warnham Local Nature Reserve. Butterflies are always a joy to see, but photographing them in flight presents a special challenge. Their quick, unpredictable movements make it difficult to track them through the lens, and patience is essential. On this particular day, however, the conditions aligned just right, and I managed to capture a fleeting moment as this Large White danced through the air. What I love about photographing butterflies in flight is the sense of energy and spontaneity. Unlike perched shots, which allow time to compose and adjust settings, flight photography is about instinct and timing. The reward is in freezing a moment of motion that the eye can so easily miss. Warnham Local Nature Reserve continues to be a wonderful place to witness and photograph a wide variety of species, fro...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 12th of July 2025, I had the pleasure of photographing a Large White Butterfly at Warnham Local Nature Reserve. These butterflies, often overlooked because of their common name, are truly striking when seen up close. Their crisp white wings with bold black markings stand out beautifully against the greens and browns of their surroundings, making them a joy to capture through the lens. The Large White, sometimes known as the “Cabbage White,” is one of the UK’s most familiar butterflies. Despite their abundance, I find them endlessly fascinating. Each encounter is a reminder of how much diversity thrives in our countryside — even in places where you might not expect it. Butterflies play a vital role as pollinators, and their presence is often a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Warnham is always full of surprises, and moments like this highlight why I love spending time there. In the quiet corners of the reserve, life flourishes —...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 12th of July 2025, I spent a glorious summer’s day exploring Warnham Local Nature Reserve, and the air was alive with butterflies. Warm sunshine, a gentle breeze, and the perfect conditions meant these beautiful pollinators were out in full force, fluttering between wildflowers and basking in the sunlight. During my walk, I was fortunate enough to spot and photograph several species: Comma Butterfly – with its ragged wing edges and striking orange pattern, always a delight to find. Common Blue – small but vibrant, one of the true gems of the summer meadows. Gatekeeper – often seen guarding hedgerows and grassland edges, their orange wings edged with brown make them stand out. Peacock Butterfly – a real showstopper, with bold eye-spots on the wings that seem to stare right back at you. Each butterfly added its own splash of colour to the reserve, reminding me just how vital these creatures are for our ecosystems. They aren’t...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 12th of July 2025, I had one of those rare and unforgettable encounters at Warnham Local Nature Reserve – a fleeting but magical moment with a Green-Veined White butterfly. Photographing butterflies is always a challenge, but trying to capture one in mid-flight adds an entirely new level of difficulty. These delicate insects rarely stay still, fluttering unpredictably as they search for nectar or drift on the summer breeze. More often than not, they escape the frame just as you click the shutter. This time, however, patience paid off. With the right timing and a touch of luck, I managed to freeze the butterfly in motion – wings open, suspended in the air. For me, it’s moments like these that truly reflect the excitement of wildlife photography. Nature never stays still for long, and that’s what makes every capture unique. Warnham continues to be a wonderful place for encounters like this, offering endless opportunities to w...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 12th of July, I spent some time exploring Ifield Mill Pond, and as always, it didn’t disappoint. This local gem continues to surprise me with the sheer variety of birdlife it attracts, making every visit unique and rewarding. During my walk, I came across a fantastic mix of species. Among the highlights were: Black-headed Gull – lively and vocal, often gliding effortlessly over the water. Coot – busy as ever, darting across the pond with that unmistakable splash. Egyptian Goose – striking birds that always stand out with their bold plumage. Great Crested Grebe – elegant divers, a joy to watch as they slip beneath the surface. Grey Heron – patient hunters, standing motionless at the water’s edge. Mallard Duck – a familiar favourite, bringing colour and character to the pond. Stock Dove – a slightly more unusual sighting here, adding variety to the day. Swift – darting and weaving in the skies above, a sign of true summer. If...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 12th of July, I spent a wonderful session at Ifield Mill Pond, one of my favourite local spots for wildlife photography. It turned out to be one of those days where patience truly paid off. While scanning the water, I noticed the swift movement of a Common Tern circling overhead. These elegant birds are always a thrill to watch, but seeing one in full hunting mode was a real highlight. With incredible precision, the tern dived towards the water, its wings folding back like an arrow before it struck the surface to catch its prey. Moments like these are what make wildlife photography so rewarding. You can spend long stretches waiting, watching, and preparing—and then suddenly, nature delivers a spectacle that makes it all worthwhile. I managed to capture a sequence of the tern fishing, and I’m excited to share the results from this session. Each shot tells part of the story: the anticipation, the dive, and the triumphant catc...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images I spent a brilliant day exploring Warnham Local Nature Reserve on 6th July 2025, and once again, the reserve didn’t disappoint! 🌿📸 The day was full of wildlife encounters, each moment more captivating than the last. Highlights included: Blue-tailed Damselfly – Delicately resting on a reed, this tiny jewel was a perfect subject for close-up photography. Its vibrant blue tail really stood out against the greenery. Common Wasp – I spotted a busy wasp exploring a thistle, reminding me how much activity happens even among the smaller inhabitants of the reserve. Young Coots – These energetic birds were a delight to watch, one strutting with wings outstretched while others braved the light summer rain. Grey Heron – Patiently fishing, this focused predator showed the quiet beauty of nature in action. Kingfisher – A flash of brilliant colour caught my eye, as a kingfisher zipped past with a catch in its beak – always a spectacular sight....

     Link - Website Blog With More Images During a recent visit to Warnham Local Nature Reserve, I was lucky enough to witness an extraordinary display of skill from one of nature’s most agile hunters—a Common Tern. As I scanned the waters, the tern suddenly swooped down with remarkable precision and caught a fish mid-strike. Moments like this are a reminder of how beautifully timed and instinctive wildlife behavior can be. Watching the tern in action, every movement perfectly executed, was both thrilling and humbling. It’s experiences like these that make nature photography so rewarding—not just capturing an image, but witnessing a story unfold in real time. Warnham Local Nature Reserve continues to prove itself as an ideal location for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. Whether it’s birdwatching, photographing, or simply enjoying the serenity of nature, this reserve never fails to deliver incredible encounters. 📸 Highlights: Species: Common Tern Behavior Obs...

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On 6th July 2025, I had the pleasure of spotting a delightful Mute Swan cygnet at Warnham Local Nature Reserve. 🦢 Still fluffy and full of personality, this little cygnet was a joy to watch as it explored the water and interacted with its surroundings. Observing these young swans grow up is always a special experience, and moments like this are a reminder of the simple wonders of nature. Warnham Local Nature Reserve never disappoints — whether you’re a wildlife photographer, a birdwatcher, or simply someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, it’s a perfect spot to witness such charming encounters. #MuteSwan #Cygnet #WarnhamLocalNatureReserve #WildlifePhotography #UKNature #BirdWatching

     Link - Website Blog With More Images On the 6th of July 2025, I spent a few peaceful hours at Warnham Local Nature Reserve, enjoying the tranquility and the abundance of wildlife. During my visit, I was lucky enough to photograph a Little Egret in action—a truly memorable experience. Watching the Little Egret move carefully through the shallows was fascinating. Each step seemed deliberate, each movement precise, as it searched for its next meal. The elegance and grace with which it fished was remarkable, a real testament to the beauty of wildlife in its natural habitat. Just when I thought the moment had passed, the Little Egret took flight, giving me the perfect opportunity to capture it soaring through the sky. Moments like these—full of patience, observation, and a little bit of luck—are exactly what make wildlife photography so rewarding. Warnham Local Nature Reserve continues to be a wonderful place to connect with nature and witness the subtle, captivating beha...