Feeling rather disappointed with my morning’s photographic haul, I decided I’d head out with the camera once again at sunset. The venue for the afternoon session was the area around Titchmarsh Nature Reserve, Northants.
It was a bit of a late decision to head out again, I’ll be honest, prompted in the main by the poor forecast for much of the coming week. As with the morning, other than a general area, I wasn’t really too sure where to head. I set course for the Aldwincle to Thorpe Waterville road, a route that had served me well during the floods that Northamptonshire endured earlier in the year. Before reaching Aldwincle, a scene caught my eye that I felt I had to stop and capture.
Aldwincle sunset – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Aldwincle sunset – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve
With the sun rapidly descending, I continued on my way and pulled up at the Aldwincle end of the aforementioned road. Wandering across the adjacent field, I became aware of a murmuration of starlings, albeit not a particularly big one by the standards of what I’ve seen before.
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Slowly but surely the starlings began to break away from the flock, diving into the rushes around the lake’s edge as they did so. The noise level (both in terms of their vocalisations and the rustling in the rushes) was insane.
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
The picture just grew in beauty as the time went on; the orange tones giving way to purples.
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Fairly content with my haul, I got back into the car with the intention of heading home, but as I approached the bridge at the Thorpe Waterville end of the road, I was compelled to stop again. I could see lots of bird activity on another lake, and there were breaks in the trees that were perfectly positioned to capture it to best effect.
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve – Karl Drage, Northamptonshire photographer
Where the morning had disappointed, the afternoon and Titchmarsh Nature Reserve had more than delivered.
Looking for an event photographer to cover something you’re hosting?
Event Photography by Karl Drage
You can contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
I mainly provide event and wedding photography services in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Rutland, Oxfordshire & Warwickshire, in towns such as Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Oundle, Corby, Peterborough, Leicester, Huntingdon, Rushden, Towcester, Rugby, Daventry & Oakham. I am, however, only too happy to travel beyond those locations – including internationally – to capture the magic of your event.
