Gavin Johnson's photos

Nature reclaiming an old iron fence in the woods.

In 2024 our local Starlings had a good year and raised about 40 young between them. I'd been photographing them in the morning, and had left the patio doors open and my camera on the table. I heard a thump and a commotion outside, and saw that a Sparrowhawk had taken one of the juvenile Starlings. I was able to grab my camera and sit quietly for half an hour getting a long sequence of shots of the Sparrowhawk finishing its meal without disturbing it. Those eyes...

In 2024 our local Starlings had a good year and raised about 40 young between them. I'd been photographing them in the morning, and had left the patio doors open and my camera on the table. I heard a thump and a commotion outside, and saw that a Sparrowhawk had taken one of the juvenile Starlings. I was able to grab my camera and sit quietly for half an hour getting a long sequence of shots of the Sparrowhawk finishing its meal without disturbing it.

In 2024 our local Starlings had a good year and raised about 40 young between them. I'd been photographing them in the morning, and had left the patio doors open and my camera on the table. I heard a thump and a commotion outside, and saw that a Sparrowhawk had taken one of the juvenile Starlings. I was able to grab my camera and sit quietly for half an hour getting a long sequence of shots of the Sparrowhawk finishing its meal without disturbing it. Apologies to anyone who finds this image distressing.

Another old holiday photo, this time from Sri Lanka (Colombo, I think). A group of children buying goodies from the local sweet shop.

A local lady having a nap on a bench with a fine pirate statue. Campeche, Mexico.

A photo from an old holiday. A group of girls in their Sunday best very kindly agreed to pose for a quick snap.

An old pear tree espalier in a walled orchard at Rousham House in Oxfordshire.

A Wren posing briefly (they don't seem to stand still for long!) on my garden fence. The detail on the bird is nice, but the fence definitely looks like it needs a fresh coat of paint!

I loved this old sign outside a shop in Sri Lanka, particularly the archaic "Smokers' Requisities."

A much younger Fly Agaric - in hindsight I should have moved the blades of grass to make a neater shot!

An old Fly Agaric from a low angle. The red and white colours were still clear on top, but I liked the look of the raised gills.

I'm not sure what these were, but they were growing on the top of a hay bale and were probably only 2 cm tall.

A chance find at Westonbirt Arboretum.

It's easy to see why the Robin is such a popular garden visitor. I haven't persuaded any to take food from my hand yet, but they are obliging enough to pose for me!

A wild Northern Shoveler taking off from a lake at WWT Slimbridge.

One of the regular garden visitors, this Starling has perched and fluffed its feathers. They have amazing plumage with glistening, iridescent colours.

A Dunnock perched on a bare branch. I think they're an under-rated bird; perhaps nothing special to look at, but a really tuneful song in springtime.