Culpeper Media

26/10/2026

Some photographs mean a little more than others. 🦢

Two years on, and after a pleasant memories reminder from my phone, I’ve returned to these images for the third time, tweaking the edits and giving them a fresh perspective.

This group of seven cygnets holds a special place in my journey. They were among the first young wildlife I really started following on the estate, marking the beginning of my interest in documenting their lives as they grew.

Sadly, two were lost along the way. I often wonder where the others are today and hope they’ve grown into adulthood as successfully as their parents.

It would be lovely to know how their story continued. 🦢

25/10/2026

Meet Tash, the Red-legged Seriema, one of the distinctive characters on the Leeds Castle Falconry Team. 🐦

That walk is hard to miss! With her long legs, purposeful stride and unmistakable head movements, Tash has a way of getting around that’s entirely her own.

But there’s more to her than her walk. Red-legged Seriemas are known for their unusual way of dealing with snakes, using their powerful legs to strike and smash their prey against the ground. 🐍

The snake in this video is, of course, a prop used to demonstrate this fascinating natural behaviour — but watch how Tash gets straight to work!

A brilliant bird with a character all of her own.

Also a challenge to photograph! 😂

21/10/2026

An evening with the crows. 🖤🐦‍⬛

Always close by, ever watchful, and seemingly aware of everything happening around them. There’s something captivating about these birds when you take a moment to look beyond their familiar presence.

From the subtle blue and violet sheen in their feathers to their intelligent, watchful eyes, crows have a quiet presence that’s hard to ignore. Always nearby, always observing, and never quite as ordinary as they might seem.

21/10/2026

There’s something special about an autumn morning when the light hits just right. 🍂☀️

Have you ever seen a familiar place look completely different just because of the time of day?

These were taken on my way to work, when the low morning sun was streaming through the trees, illuminating the autumn colours and catching the mist rising from the lake. For a few moments, the whole landscape seemed to glow.

It’s a reminder that you don’t always need to travel somewhere new to find a beautiful scene. Sometimes, it’s right there on your usual route, waiting for the right light. 📸

The early start was definitely worth it for these views. 🍁

21/10/2026

You haven’t seen the last of these Mandarin Ducks yet. 😍🦆

More Mandarin Duck images from Leeds Castle, Kent—a reminder of just how spectacular and diverse British wildlife can be. From their incredible colours and intricate feather patterns to the reflections on the water, I genuinely can’t get enough of these birds.

Whether perched on the bank or gliding across the lake, they seem to have a talent for posing for the camera. And honestly, who am I to argue? 😂

Which is your favourite—the colourful portrait on land or the elegant shot on the water? Let me know what makes it stand out to you!

18/10/2026

Meet Toddy 🦅

A stunning member of the Leeds Castle Falconry Team, Toddy is a hybrid of a black kite and a red kite — and what a bird she is.

She was giving me the full repertoire of looks and poses, but it’s those eyes that really steal the show. Incredible detail, a piercing stare and an expression that seems to look straight through the lens. 👀

Many portraits and different looks, but which is your favourite?

📍 Leeds Castle

18/10/2026

🍂 Autumn has arrived at the castle… and it’s looking rather special. 🏰

The trees are turning, the light is changing and the castle is looking particularly striking against the autumn landscape.

📸 These two shots were taken on the same afternoon, but in very different light. One captures the softer, moodier feel of early evening; the other, the castle basking in a burst of autumn sunshine. I couldn’t decide between them, so you’re getting both!

🍁 The falling leaves are a reminder that the seasons are changing, and this is one of those views that never really gets old.

🏰 There’s another reason to appreciate this particular angle, too. Following the completion of the stonework, this more traditional view of the castle is available to enjoy again this year.

So, which would you choose? 👇

🌥️ The atmospheric, darker first shot
☀️ Or the sunlit second shot? Perhaps the Land Train 🚂?

Save this for a little autumn inspiration, or share it with someone who loves a castle in the changing seasons. 🍂

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

🐦 A Robin at Chartwell 🍒

Another one from the locker, but one worth revisiting.

This was a memorable close encounter with a rather large Robin at Chartwell. Getting this close while it carried on foraging among the berries made for a lovely little photographic moment.

The berry in its beak, surrounded by those rich greens and dark berries, made for a composition I was really pleased with. One from Chartwell that deserved another outing. 📸

16/10/2026

🖤 The familiar faces deserve a little love, too.

Like pigeons, Black-headed Gulls are everywhere. I’ll often use them as warm-up subjects while waiting for something a little less predictable to appear. But perhaps it’s time I gave these familiar characters the attention they deserve.

A few frames from throughout this year, from those unmistakable red bills and legs to the splashes, the wing displays and the occasional moment of drama. 📸

And that name? A little misleading for much of the year! During the breeding season, adults develop that distinctive chocolate-brown hood, which fades away after the breeding season, leaving them with a mostly white head and dark markings behind the eye. It’s all part of their seasonal change in plumage.

Common? Absolutely. Worth overlooking? Not a chance.

Sometimes, the best subjects are the ones we see every day. 🖤