Ray Hardy Photography

07/09/2026

🪵 THE BIRD MOST PEOPLE WALK PAST...

Be honest...

How many times have you seen a Dunnock (Prunella modularis) and not given it a second glance?

This one was photographed perched on a woodpile in the Peak District.

No bright colours.
No dramatic markings.

Yet when you stop and really look, there's plenty to admire.

Subtle detail.
Beautiful plumage.
And a character all of its own.

Sometimes the most rewarding wildlife subjects are the ones we see every day.

What's your favourite "ordinary" bird?

📸 Ray Hardy Photography
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/RayHardyPhotography
📷 Olympus OM-1 Mark II
🔭 Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

06/09/2026

❤️ SMALL BIRD, BIG CHARACTER...

A Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) perched in the Peak District.

Tiny, lightweight, and often overlooked.

But look closer.

That splash of red on the forehead.
The delicate markings.
The alert posture.

For such a small bird, it certainly knows how to stand out.

Do you prefer photographing the little birds... or the larger, more obvious species?

📸 Ray Hardy Photography
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/RayHardyPhotography
📷 Olympus OM-1 Mark II
🔭 Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

05/09/2026

🌙 SHIFT CHANGE...

Most people think of Tawny Owls (Strix aluco) as creatures of the night.

But this individual was photographed in the Peak District just before darkness arrived.

The light was fading.
The woods were becoming quieter.

And the owl was beginning to wake up.

Moments like this always feel special.

Catching that transition between day and night when the forest seems to change completely.

Have you ever heard a Tawny Owl calling after dark?

📸 Ray Hardy Photography
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/RayHardyPhotography
📷 Olympus OM-1 Mark II
🔭 Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

04/09/2026

👀 IS IT JUST ME...

Or does this Stock Dove (Columba oenas) look like it's judging me?

Captured perched in the Peak District, it seemed determined to maintain eye contact for as long as possible.

No feeding.
No flying.
Just watching.

Moments like this always make me smile because they create the illusion that the bird is every bit as interested in us as we are in it.

Be honest...

What's this bird thinking?

📸 Ray Hardy Photography
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/RayHardyPhotography
📷 Olympus OM-1 Mark II
🔭 Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

03/09/2026

LOOK AT THOSE EYES...

Forget the feathers for a moment.

Just look at the eyes.

The pale blue eyes of a Eurasian Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) have always fascinated me.

They're not something you'd typically expect to see on a bird.

And once you've noticed them, it's impossible not to keep looking.

Jackdaws are incredibly intelligent, highly social, and full of personality.

But for me, it's always those stunning eyes that steal the show.

What's the first thing you noticed?

📸 Ray Hardy Photography
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/RayHardyPhotography
📷 Olympus OM-1 Mark II
🔭 Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

02/09/2026

🍽️ DINNER IS LATE...

Three Tawny Owlets (Strix aluco) photographed patiently waiting for the next food delivery.

Well...

Mostly patiently.

These young owls had already fledged but were still relying on their parents to bring food.

Watching them sit together was both entertaining and rewarding.

One looked alert.
One looked sleepy.
And one seemed to be constantly checking for signs of dinner.

Nature's version of waiting for a takeaway.

Which owl do you think looks the hungriest?

📸 Ray Hardy Photography
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/RayHardyPhotography
📷 Olympus OM-1 Mark II
🔭 Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

25/08/2026

A LITTLE CHANGE FROM THE WILDLIFE...

One of the things I love most about travelling is that sometimes the most memorable subjects aren't wildlife at all...

They're people.

Captured near Tonlé Sap, Cambodia, this lovely lady was more than happy to pose for a photograph while holding her pet cat.

There's something wonderfully simple about moments like this.

No elaborate setup.
No planning.
No expectation.

Just a genuine interaction and a brief glimpse into everyday life.

Street photography can be every bit as rewarding as wildlife photography because every face has a story, every location has character, and every encounter is completely unique.

While most of my camera cards are filled with birds, mammals and reptiles, it's photographs like this that often transport me straight back to a place and moment in time.

Travel isn't always about the destinations.

Sometimes it's about the people you meet along the way.

What's your favourite travel photograph you've ever taken?

📸 Ray Hardy Photography
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/RayHardyPhotography
📷 Olympus OM-1 Mark II
🔭 Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

A Thank You from Ray Hardy

I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Anna at Only 1 Design for inviting me to be part of the upcoming Photography Walk in Meltham on 20th September.

I'm especially grateful that the event is supporting Meltham Wildlife Rescue, a fantastic local charity dedicated to helping injured and vulnerable wildlife. It's wonderful to see our local community coming together to support such an important cause.

Photography has always been about more than creating images for me it's about telling a story, connecting with nature, sharing experiences, and encouraging others to appreciate the wildlife that surrounds us. This walk is a great opportunity to do exactly that while raising awareness and much-needed funds for the rescue.

I’m looking forward to meeting fellow photographers and nature enthusiasts, sharing some of the stories behind my wildlife photographs, and spending a relaxed morning exploring the beautiful surroundings of Meltham.

Thank you again to everyone involved in organising and supporting this event. I hope to see many of you there.

Ray Hardy
Ray Hardy Photography
www.rayhardyphotography.co.uk

Only 1 Design