Tomorrow.

One should never wish a day away…but right now I can’t wait for tomorrow!

In under 24 hours Ill be on my way to the other side of the world, to a location I have always wanted to visit…The Amazon Rainforest. Into the heart of the Manu national park I will be venturing far from humans into one of the last true wildernesses. I have dreamed of visiting the rainforest since I started out watching wildlife and before my 20th birthday it will be a reality. Excited doesn’t come close!

Hopefully I can keep you all in the loop as it unfolds!

Cheers,

Tom

BIG Weekend…Even Bigger month!

The 16-18 of August. For any birdwatcher, wildlife lover, naturalist they will know that that is the date of the British Birdfair! A huge event bringing together over 15,000 people all in the cause for nature. Its a great time to network, meet friends and build relationships and thats exactly what I shall be doing over the next four days! Not only am I working I am also giving my first ever major lecture that will be seen by over 100 people, a huge opportunity for someone at my age!

If the weekend wasn’t enough excitement fast forward to next week and I shall be flying off to Peru for two weeks awesome wildlife watching in the heart of the amazon rainforest. A life long dream, now a close reality!

I shall keep my blog going as much as possible over the next few months and I might even post a few pictures when I return from the other side of the world! 

Tom

Books.

I love books, and I’m not afraid to say it.

I have always thought of them as the intellects TV. So much choice…history, stories, adventure, factual; all are of interest to me. The provide inspiration, insight and help us to develop our understanding and personal character. I try and read a least one book a week, one book on a different topic, a chance to open my mind to the wonders of the world. 

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”  ― Marcus Tullius Cicero

Tom

Finding vision.

As a creative person I am always looking for inspiration in order to improve and address my vision as a photographer. My inspiration although often from nature, comes from a variety of locations within my life. Over the past few weeks my vision has been buried under a heap of work, hidden from the forefront of my mind, leaving me feeling stressed and unfulfilled. I have not given over time to the passions in my life that inspire my creativity; running, reading, learning, walking and looking at gorgeous images. 

This week that will change. Its time to get back to what I do best; Being creative.

Tom

The box.

Think outside the box. Such a common phrase yet what does it mean?

In order to understand the parameters of this idea, we first need to establish what the box is. Talking about this idea before, many define the box by their mind… But how can you think outside your mind?

The box is really the comfortable region on your mind, a set of standard thought processes we go through when looking at a problem.

To think outside the box then is to develop a new process of thought. Thinking of a new way to do the same thing.

Tom

Perseverance.

In life one of the most important words we can talk about is perseverance.

No matter who you are, what you do, perseverance is key. Sometimes we all feel like giving up, beneath that mountain of editing, emails, phone calls, work..we can all feel like throwing in the towel but why, whats the point? If we do not persevere with what we started why are we bothering at all? 

The best things in life are those that we have worked hard for, those achievements that took weeks of hard work, many hours of patience and persistence. My best images are produced after many hours of work, not just with the camera in my hand but with the planning and preparation before the camera ever came into play!

Perseverance will make the difference between being good and being great at what you do. Natural skill can only get you so far, the rest is down to hard work and a determination to succeed. 

Perseverance is the only sure way to make you prevail.

Tom

Complex beauty.

Women are complex. A bit if advice I was told when I was younger. But is this not indeed why they are beautiful?

The beauty of Nature is it’s complexity. It’s ability to fill so many variables. So much variety of life that defies the imagination. Nature is beautiful because however deep you delve it is complex. Even the most simple of creatures are in fact a web of microscopic parts that manage to communicate effectively as a whole being.

To comprehend that I am writing this due to millions of years of evolution and developed intelligence is a fact in itself, that sets my mind alive. To understand is not nearly as important as to appreciate. Not everyone will ever understand micro biology. Yet everyone can appreciate the gift we have. Nature, growth and life itself!

Tom

Calling.

It is not often in modern life we hear about peoples callings. people have jobs, passions, hobbies but callings… less so. I have always loved the natural world, ever since I was little. I did not choose to, I mealy could not escape the wonder of it it. The complexity of biology, the integration in ecosystems, the variety of life. Even now after studying it for many years, being able to observe it and even understand it, I’m blown away. Sharing the beauty of the natural world is all I wan’t to do. Be it through my photography, video, writing or word of mouth, I need to inspire others to understand the value of what we have on our planet.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ― Albert Einstein

Wise words from a wise man. One day hopefully I too can inspire an generation to protect the value of our planet, not for resources or wealth but just due to the pure beauty of it.

Tom