Jonathan Thirkell Photography

Jonathan Thirkell Photography John Lindsey Photography page
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UK based Wildlife Photographer

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Good evening everyone! 🦉📸Well, we’re already at the midway point of the week, and thoughts are turning towards this week...
02/09/2026

Good evening everyone! 🦉📸

Well, we’re already at the midway point of the week, and thoughts are turning towards this week’s wildlife photography adventures. The plans are starting to come together, with just one small factor still having the final say… the weather! 🌦️

Hopefully, conditions are kind and everything comes together for another enjoyable evening out in the field. There’s always something incredibly exciting about heading out with the camera, not quite knowing what encounters the evening might bring. That anticipation is very much part of what makes wildlife photography so addictive!

For tonight’s image, I wanted to share another photograph from last week’s long-eared owl session.

This particular evening was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Spending time quietly watching these beautiful birds go about their evening, waiting patiently for those special moments when everything comes together, is something I never take for granted.

This long-eared owl settled beautifully, giving me a wonderful opportunity to capture a little more of its character and those incredible features that make this species so fascinating. From the piercing eyes and distinctive ear tufts to the intricate detail in its plumage, there is always something new to appreciate when you take the time to really study an owl.

Wildlife photography is very much about patience, persistence and being in the right place at the right time — and sometimes, after waiting quietly, everything just falls into place. 📸🦉

I’m really pleased with how this particular image turned out and it brings back some great memories of what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening in the field.

As always, I hope you enjoy the photograph, and thank you so much for taking the time to stop by, view, like, comment and share my wildlife photography. It really is appreciated.

Here’s hoping for another fantastic week of wildlife encounters! 🤞📸



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After a busy day, there’s nothing quite like settling down with a good cup of tea, jumping behind the computer, and gett...
01/09/2026

After a busy day, there’s nothing quite like settling down with a good cup of tea, jumping behind the computer, and getting stuck into some more photo edits. ☕📸

Tonight, I wanted to share a few images from last week, when I headed out with the macro lens and spent some time getting up close and personal with one of our beautiful native butterflies — the Green-veined White. 🦋🌿

There’s something incredibly rewarding about photographing butterflies with a macro lens. What might look like a simple white butterfly from a distance suddenly becomes a completely different world when you start looking closely — intricate wing patterns, delicate scales, tiny hairs and those beautifully contrasting greenish-grey veins that give this species its name.

The Green-veined White (Pieris napi) is one of the UK’s most familiar white butterflies and can be found across much of Britain, particularly in damp, flower-rich habitats such as meadows, woodland edges, riverbanks, hedgerows and areas of lush vegetation. Unlike the Large White and Small White, its caterpillars mainly feed on wild cruciferous plants, including Cuckooflower and Garlic Mustard, rather than being associated with cultivated brassicas. The adults are generally seen in two generations, with the first appearing in spring and a larger second generation during the summer. Recent Butterfly Conservation data lists the species as Least Concern on the Great Britain Red List, although long-term monitoring has shown declines in both abundance and distribution, reminding us that even familiar species are worth protecting. (Butterfly Conservation)

One of the fascinating things about the Green-veined White is just how much detail is hidden beneath those apparently plain white wings. The underside carries the distinctive greenish-grey veining, which can become less obvious as the butterfly ages and its wings become worn. They are also remarkably adaptable, turning up in a wide variety of habitats where their foodplants and nectar sources are available. Their flight season can extend well into autumn in favourable years, with recent UK records showing butterflies on the wing from April through to October. (Butterfly Conservation)

For me, this is exactly what macro photography is all about — slowing down, observing the little details that are so easily overlooked, and capturing a moment of the natural world that might otherwise pass unnoticed. 📷🌱

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed being out there photographing this beautiful little butterfly.

Have a fantastic evening, everyone, and as always, thank you for taking the time to look, like, comment and share my photography. ❤️



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Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉Pauline Witter, Jean Mackie, Romulus Opres...
31/08/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉

Pauline Witter, Jean Mackie, Romulus Oprescu, Carol Williams, Bruce Knight, Norma Lloyd, Paul Goodman, Matt Coleman, Allan Goodier, Bob-Carol Weeden

Happy Monday, everyone! 🦉📸I hope the week has started out on the right foot for you all and that Monday has been kind to...
31/08/2026

Happy Monday, everyone! 🦉📸

I hope the week has started out on the right foot for you all and that Monday has been kind to you so far!

I’m still working my way through the images from last week, and I wanted to share another selection of my Long-eared Owl photographs. These incredible birds were an absolute privilege to spend time with and photograph, and every moment in their presence was something I won’t forget.

There is something truly special about seeing a Long-eared Owl up close in its natural environment. From those incredible, expressive eyes and distinctive ear tufts to their beautifully intricate plumage and almost effortless flight, they really are remarkable birds of prey.

Photographing wildlife like this is always a mixture of patience, anticipation and being ready for that split-second opportunity. You can spend hours waiting, watching and hoping, and then suddenly everything comes together — the light, the pose, the expression and the moment. Those are the photographs that make all the waiting worthwhile.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to photograph these amazing owls, and I’m looking forward to sharing more of last week’s images with you over the coming days.

Have a fantastic evening, everyone, and I hope the rest of your week gets off to a brilliant start! 🦉❤️📷



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Good Sunday evening, folks! 🦉📸What a real mixed bag of weather it’s been today! 🌧️☀️⛈️ We’ve gone from heavy rain, to so...
30/08/2026

Good Sunday evening, folks! 🦉📸

What a real mixed bag of weather it’s been today! 🌧️☀️⛈️ We’ve gone from heavy rain, to some lovely warm sunshine, and now we’re being treated to thunderstorms rolling through. You really can experience all four seasons in one day sometimes!

For tonight’s image, I wanted to share another photograph from earlier in the week featuring this beautiful Long-eared Owl out hunting for food during the evening. There’s something incredibly special about watching these magnificent birds as they quietly patrol their hunting grounds, completely focused on the task at hand.

I particularly love this shot because of the detail captured in the owl’s plumage. The intricate feather patterning really stands out, while those outstretched wings give the image a wonderful sense of movement and elegance. Capturing birds in flight is always a challenge, but when everything comes together, it makes all those moments of patience worthwhile. 🦉✨

Long-eared Owls are such fascinating and elusive birds, and getting the opportunity to photograph one actively hunting in the evening is something I never take for granted. Moments like this are a brilliant reminder of just how incredible our wildlife is and why it’s so important to appreciate and protect these beautiful creatures and the habitats they depend on. 🌿❤️

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend, whatever the weather has thrown at you today!

Have a lovely — and hopefully dry (if you can!) — Sunday evening, everyone. Stay safe if those storms are heading your way, and enjoy the rest of your weekend. 🌧️🦉📸



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Happy Saturday night, folks! 🦉📸I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend and enjoying a well-deserved chance to slow...
29/08/2026

Happy Saturday night, folks! 🦉📸

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend and enjoying a well-deserved chance to slow down and relax.

I’m having a chilled evening myself, taking some time to go through and edit a few of this week’s images. There’s something quite satisfying about sitting back after a busy week, revisiting those moments in the field, and deciding which photographs really capture the atmosphere and character of the wildlife I was lucky enough to encounter.

For tonight’s image, I wanted to share another photograph of one of my Long-eared Owls from this week. 🦉

I honestly don’t think I could ever get tired of photographing these incredible birds. Every encounter feels special. Their beautiful, expressive faces, those incredible long ear tufts, and their quiet, almost mysterious presence make them such an amazing subject to photograph.

There’s also something incredibly rewarding about spending time with wildlife and simply observing their behaviour. Sometimes it’s not about getting the perfect photograph at all — it’s about being there, watching, waiting, and appreciating the privilege of sharing a moment in their world. When everything comes together and you capture an image that conveys even a little of that experience, it makes all the patience and effort worthwhile.

These birds really are absolutely stunning, and I could happily spend all day photographing them. ❤️

I hope you enjoy tonight’s image, and wherever you are, I hope you’ve had a lovely Saturday evening and are having a wonderful weekend.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by, supporting my photography, and sharing these wildlife moments with me. 🦉🌿📸



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Happy Friday, everyone! 🌿📸It’s officially the start of the weekend, and what better way to reflect on the week than with...
28/08/2026

Happy Friday, everyone! 🌿📸

It’s officially the start of the weekend, and what better way to reflect on the week than with another visit to one of my favourite peaceful places — Moses Gate Country Park. 🌳🦆

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of visiting the park again, and as always, it was a wonderful opportunity to slow down, take in the surroundings and enjoy the wildlife that calls this beautiful location home.

One particularly lovely moment was spotting two Cormorants drying their wings in the warm sunshine. ☀️🪶 There is something quite fascinating about watching these birds standing with their wings fully spread, almost as though they are posing specifically for the camera!

The Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is an impressive and highly adaptable waterbird. An adult typically weighs around 2.3 kg, making it a substantial bird with a powerful presence. Unlike many waterbirds, a Cormorant’s feathers are not completely waterproof, which helps explain that distinctive open-winged posture we often see after they have been fishing — they are essentially taking the opportunity to dry their plumage. (BTO)

Cormorants are now widespread across the UK and can be seen throughout the year, both around our coastline and increasingly on inland lakes, reservoirs, rivers and other suitable freshwater habitats. Their inland distribution has expanded considerably over recent decades, particularly in England, and they have established breeding colonies away from the coast. The latest BTO information lists the species as Green-listed in the UK, while it is classified as Least Concern globally, reflecting its currently widespread distribution and overall population status. (BTO)

Seeing these two birds at Moses Gate was a great reminder that you don’t always have to travel far to experience some incredible wildlife. Sometimes, the most rewarding encounters can be found right on your doorstep — you just need to slow down, look around and keep your camera ready! 📸🌿

The Cormorant really is a remarkable bird, and moments like this are exactly why I enjoy wildlife photography so much. Every visit can bring something completely different, from a fleeting glimpse of a bird in flight to a quiet moment like this, watching two Cormorants simply enjoying the sunshine.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday evening and a fantastic weekend ahead! 😊🌅



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Good Thursday evening, everyone! 🦉What a dull, dreary and rather miserable day it’s been today! 🌧️ Hopefully, tonight’s ...
27/08/2026

Good Thursday evening, everyone! 🦉

What a dull, dreary and rather miserable day it’s been today! 🌧️ Hopefully, tonight’s image can bring a little brightness to your evening and remind us that even on the greyest of days, there’s always a touch of magic to be found in the natural world.

This beautiful Long-eared Owl was photographed during Monday’s shoot, taking a well-earned rest as it sat quietly and majestically on an old dry-stone wall. There’s something incredibly special about encountering one of these elusive birds in the wild. Their incredible camouflage, piercing eyes, distinctive ear tufts and wonderfully graceful appearance make them such a captivating subject for any wildlife photographer.

I could have watched this stunning owl for hours as it sat so peacefully, completely at home in its surroundings. Moments like this are exactly why I love spending time outdoors with a camera — you never quite know what unforgettable encounter might be waiting around the next corner. 📸🦉

Long-eared Owls are such beautiful and fascinating birds, and being able to capture one in a natural setting like this is always a privilege. I hope this image brings a little brightness to your evening too.

Have a fantastic Thursday evening, everyone, and thank you as always for your continued support and for sharing my passion for wildlife and bird photography. ❤️



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Happy Wildlife Wednesday, everyone! 🐝📸Yesterday, I decided to head out for a short local walk with my macro lens, taking...
26/08/2026

Happy Wildlife Wednesday, everyone! 🐝📸

Yesterday, I decided to head out for a short local walk with my macro lens, taking advantage of some beautiful light and the abundance of flowers around at the moment. You never quite know what you’re going to discover when you slow down, look closely and give the smaller residents of our gardens and green spaces a little attention.

And then I spotted this absolute beauty… 😍

Let me introduce you to the Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) — one of Britain’s largest and most impressive hoverflies, and certainly one that knows how to make an entrance!

At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled across a hornet. With its bold yellow and black markings and impressive size, Volucella zonaria is a fantastic example of Batesian mimicry: it looks like a potentially dangerous stinging insect, but is actually completely harmless. The resemblance is thought to help deter predators such as birds. (Buglife)

This was noticeably larger than the more familiar hoverflies I usually encounter, and it was absolutely fascinated by the buddleia flowers. The adults feed on nectar, making them important flower visitors and pollinators, while their remarkable life cycle takes an entirely different turn at the larval stage. The larvae live inside the nests of social wasps, feeding on the debris and waste within the nest — effectively acting as little cleaners while the wasps largely leave them alone. (Buglife)

The Hornet Hoverfly can reach around 20–25mm in length, making it a seriously impressive fly when you see one up close. It was first recorded colonising Britain in the early 1940s and was once considered a rare species. Since then, it has become well established, particularly across London, southern and south-eastern England, and its range has been expanding northwards, with records now reaching as far as Cheshire. (Buglife)

What I find especially fascinating is that this species is a great example of how wildlife is constantly changing around us. A species that was once regarded as rare in Britain has successfully expanded its range, and encounters like this are a reminder that you don’t necessarily have to travel to a nature reserve or remote woodland to find something extraordinary.

Sometimes, all you need is a short walk, a patch of flowers, some good light… and a macro lens. 📷🌿

And that’s exactly why I love macro photography. It makes the familiar unfamiliar. A hoverfly that might normally pass unnoticed suddenly becomes a spectacular subject, revealing incredible colours, textures and details that are almost impossible to appreciate with the naked eye.

This little encounter certainly made my walk worthwhile! 🐝❤️

Nikon macro photography | Wildlife photography | Close-up photography



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Happy Tuesday evening, folks! 🦉📸I hope the new week has started off on the right foot for everyone and that you’re all h...
25/08/2026

Happy Tuesday evening, folks! 🦉📸

I hope the new week has started off on the right foot for everyone and that you’re all having a fantastic evening.

Last night, I had the absolute pleasure of being out in the field with my camera when I was lucky enough to encounter one of nature’s most captivating and elusive birds of prey — the Long-eared Owl.

What made this encounter even more special was that it was my first-ever sighting of this incredible species. Seeing a Long-eared Owl in the wild is a truly memorable experience, but having the opportunity to photograph one was something I’ll certainly never forget.

With its striking ear tufts, beautiful plumage, piercing eyes and wonderfully mysterious character, the Long-eared Owl is an absolutely gorgeous bird. There’s something incredibly special about watching a bird of prey quietly going about its evening, completely at home in its natural surroundings.

Wildlife photography is full of unexpected moments, and encounters like this are exactly why I love being out with my Nikon. You can spend hours waiting, searching and watching, but when that special moment finally happens, it makes every second worthwhile.

I’m absolutely thrilled to have captured this image and even more delighted to have witnessed such a magnificent bird for the very first time. 🦉❤️

I really hope you enjoy the photograph as much as I enjoyed capturing it. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to stop by, enjoy the image and share in these wonderful wildlife encounters.

Have a fantastic Tuesday evening, everyone, and keep your eyes open — you never know what incredible wildlife might be watching from the shadows! 📸🌿



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Bolton

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