This month, I’m reflecting back on an incredible experience visiting Pembrokeshire, Wales, with a specific focus on the famous Skomer Island.
Skomer is renowned for being home to thousands of Atlantic puffins that arrive during the summer months to nest and raise their pufflings. It was truly an incredible experienceI had the chance to see so many puffins up close, captured some fantastic close-up photos, and even found myself literally within touching distance of these remarkable birds!
While I have always enjoyed photography, this year marked a distinct shift. Pretty much from the start of January, I fell completely in love with the art of capturing animals and wildlife. It has been a year of patience, observation, and an obsession with getting that perfect moment of capturing subjects..
A Global Journey
To say this year has been an adventure would be an understatement. My camera has travelled with me across the globe, allowing me to build a diverse portfolio of birds and mammals in vastly different habitats.
The journey has taken me from the humidity of Thailand and Singapore to the vibrancy of Spain, the unique atmosphere of Japan, and, of course, back to the rugged, natural beauty of Wales.
Curating the Collection
To mark this first year on my wildlife journey, I wanted to create something physical something that takes these images off the screen and into the real world.
I have put together a 12-month calendar featuring a collection of my images from 2025.
When selecting the images, I had to make a difficult choice. I didn’t necessarily pick what a judge might call my “technically best” photos of the year. Instead, I chose my personal favourites. These are the shots that resonate with me emotionally and remind me of the specific feeling of that encounter.
The Final Result
The calendar is an A3 double-sided format. Seeing these portraits in large print is a completely different experience from viewing them on a monitor; the images really stand out. It’s a bold, striking collection that offers a genuine insight into how I’ve viewed the natural world over the last 12 months.
It has been an incredible year of shooting with my Canon RF system, and I can’t wait to see where the wildlife takes me in 2026.
I’ve been very fortunate to do extensive traveling this year, from Japan to China, visiting many different cities and countries. In this post, I’m reflecting back on some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites that I visited was fortunate to photography.
Japan
Mount Fuji
Japan’s iconic sacred mountain stands at 3,776 meters, revered for centuries in art and literature.
Himeji‑jō (Himeji Castle)
This stunning white fortress is considered Japan’s most beautiful original castle, nicknamed the “White Heron Castle.”
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
A powerful symbol of peace and the only structure left standing after the 1945 atomic bombing.
Itsukushima Shintō Shrine
Famous for its “floating” torii gate, this shrine creates a magical sight during high tide.
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen temple covered in gold leaf, surrounded by stunning reflection pools and gardens.
Tōdai-ji
Home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue and Japan’s largest wooden building.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Ancient Shinto shrine famous for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns.
China
The Great Wall
The world’s longest wall stretches over 21,000 kilometers, built over various dynasties.
Forbidden City
The largest palace complex in the world, home to 24 Chinese emperors over 500 years.
Summer Palace
An imperial garden featuring beautiful lakes, gardens, and traditional Chinese architecture.
Temple of Heaven
A masterpiece of Chinese architecture where emperors performed important ceremonies.
