Windsor Castle, England
Amidst the regal splendor of Windsor Castle, a humble grey pigeon found solace in a simple pleasure—a leafy snack amidst the manicured lawns and stately architecture. Against the backdrop of history and grandeur, this unassuming bird reminded me of the beauty found in the everyday, a reminder to cherish the small joys that surround us (I may or may not have been told to hurry up as I was spending far too long in the way of many tourists photos trying to capture this sweet moment).
Knaresborough, England
An unexpected piece of our trip brought on by a google search for viaducts near Harrogate, was the iconic spa town of Knaresborough. 3 miles east of Harrogate, this morning stop on the trip came to a dead halt when I laid eyes on this stunning Mandarin Duck pair. The elusive grey female duck proved to be too fast for my settings this round, but her ever patient husband was the colorful knight to her every move. With every tender gesture and protective glance, the mandarin duck reaffirmed the timeless bond of love and companionship, a symbol of soulmates (even in duck form) amidst the tranquil beauty of the town.
Hawkshead, Ambleside, England
After a morning whiskey tour at The Lakes Distillery in the Lakes District, we stopped for a quick look-about Hawkshead for some Grasmere Gingerbread and stumbled upon a Jackdaw sitting so very still atop a mossy gravestone. So before standing in line for the warm, spiced treat, I stood very still and held up a group of travelers as I focused in on this little crow like poetic moment. A black bird on a cross on a windy cold english day in a tiny town in the north! How lucky!!! I then rewarded myself with a very large bag of gingerbread, eating half of it and saving the rest to take home for friends to enjoy. Also featured in this trio of images is my partner looking at some little lambs!
London, Near Big Ben and the London Eye
In the bustling heart of London, amidst the towering heights of the iconic London Eye and Big Ben, an unexpected muse caught my eye—a funny pigeon with a penchant for posing. Against the backdrop of the River Thames, this charismatic bird became the star of the show, with its quirky antics bringing laughter to onlookers and providing the perfect subject for my lens. City dwellers often forget that Pigeons are domesticated birds and that they are full of personality (yes it is humans fault they are domesticated as we used to use them as a source of messenger, entertainment, companionship, and food). When I first started photography as a career I practiced a lot on pigeons in the city because they don't mind if you follow them around with a camera.
