“A kingfisher on the river near my house inspired me to get involved with photography and helped me get my life back on track. Now I’ve been lucky enough to film rhinos and leopards for the BBC.”
“If you have an interest in nature you can find it anywhere. There is always something worth being interested in.”
“When I was kid my dad got me a bird book with a Kingfisher on the front. He taught me a little about birds and nature. But then I got into trouble as a teenager which meant I didn’t get any qualifications. I sorted myself out though.
One day I was walking my dog along the river near my house. I saw a kingfisher and it intrigued me. I could almost say that the kingfisher saved my life. When I saw this kingfisher it reminded me of the book my dad had given me and it just drew me in, I wanted to see it more and to know more.
I bought a camera and kept going down there to take pictures. I eventually bought a hide and managed to get closer and better shots. We got to know each other. I could whistle and she would fly over to me.
Charlie Hamilton James’ mum then saw me and we got talking, eventually led to me being his assistant. Then through the BBC bursary scheme and hard work I’ve been lucky enough to film rhinos and leopards for the BBC.
I come back to Springwatch because it was one of the first things I did. The team feels like a family and I like the staff and volunteers. British wildlife is so important, that’s why I give my time to Springwatch.
If I could help the wildlife out on my patch it would be to put in kingfisher banks as currently their nests are raided by rats. I would also like to have eel passes installed in the river.
I was impressed by a homeless man who slept by the river. He had been on the street for 26 years and he only had a few things but he slept next to his books of British wild flowers and birds.
Like I say – if you have an interest in nature you can find it anywhere. There is always something worth being interested in.”
We really appreciate this true story of dedication and hard work. The difference nature can make in peoples’ lives is often overlooked. Why not take a moment to think about how nature has influenced your life? If you can’t immediately think of that standout moment, then hold on tight, it might be just around the corner somewhere near you! Keep exploring; you never know what you might find!