2018 Calendar

Front cover

Front cover		 Waxwings on rowan

Back cover

Back cover		 January – Short-eared Owl
February – Pallid Harrier
March – Barn Owl
April – Firecrest
May – Grey Wagtail
June – Little Owl
July – Sparrowhawk
August – Osprey
September – Hoopoe
October – Desert Wheatear
November – Bearded Tit
December – Waxwing

After two very enjoyable trips in 2016 with a fellow photographer (to Poland’s Bialowieza Forest and Biebrza Marshes in May and the Spanish Pyrenees in November to photograph Lammergeier and Golden Eagle from purpose built hides - both only made possible by my partner Jessica kindly agreeing to move in and look after my mother in my absence) things quietened down somewhat in 2017 through force of circumstance as my mother’s health continued to deteriorate. As a result I was spending much of my time looking after her (and latterly nursing her) and in consequence was concentrating my photographic efforts in the limited time available on the more immediate vicinity, and in particular my garden and mini nature reserve (where I was inspired to dig out a new drinking pool in photographic range of my garden shed - which also doubles as a hide). This will hopefully offer me some good photo opportunities over the coming years to supplement my resident Barn Owls (which as I write in June have just fledged a brood of five). During the winter up to nine were coming down to food nightly, but sadly the Tawny which had been regular for the last two years disappeared a few months back.

More significantly I lost far more than that back in mid-May when my beloved mother passed away just three months short of her 102nd birthday - with myself and immediate family at her bedside. I can take some comfort from the fact that she was able to remain in the home she loved to the end and only suffered a relatively short illness. Nevertheless, I shall miss her desperately - as an only child we always had a very close bond and she was always fully supportive of everything I did (in spite of the fact that the bulk of it failed to make me any money!). I’m also lucky in that I can seek solace by communing with nature, which can prove extremely therapeutic. After a June break in Speyside and Mull with a friend I hope to return with my batteries fully charged! Anyone wishing to enquire about my Norfolk photo and birding tours (specialising in owls) is welcome to contact me (as is anyone wanting more details of the photo opportunities from my nightly owl feeding programme or newly constituted drinking pool!). As a tribute to my mother I’m incorporating a picture from her 100th birthday back in 2015.

Sales of this calendar directly benefit my conservation work and feeding programme
If you want to view an image of both the front and back covers in more detail then click on the links above the images. Better still, of course, you could purchase one (or more!) calendars from me at the prices shown below. Postage and packing rates relate purely to the UK.


 Price UK P&P Total
A4 calendar £9.50 £3.25 £12.75
A3 calendar £12.50 £4.75 £17.25


The 2017 Calendar page is available as an example of Richard's other photos.

To order please contact Richard Brooks.

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