Choice Blog

Clive's Countryside Blog: Feb 27th

It’s the hottest February day since records began. I dip out of work a bit early to get home in time to sit outside for an hour and watch the sun go down. How crazy is that? Sitting out on the patio in February! I’ve poured a glass of wine, collected my book and binos but before I can get settled in, Phileas,(my tame pheasant) stops on by to scrounge his supper. I don’t normally feed him in the evening but he’s had a tough day chasing his girlfriends around the garden - yes it’s that time of year - so I put out some sunflower hearts, he eats his fill before going home to roost. When the sun dips below the horizon the temperature does drop quickly but I’m sticking it out. A small heater hardens my resolve and I’m still there as darkness falls. I hear the owls coming to life and watch a beautiful Tawny swoop across the garden. That’s my cue to call it a day but I’ll always remember the time when I watched the sun go down in February.

Clive

In 2006 Choice travel photographer Clive Nicholls moved from a home in the city to a small village in the heart of the countryside. Thirteen years on and he’s still learning the country ways and every day brings a few surprises.