seven-spot ladybrids (Coccinella
7-punctata) in copulation
Italian garden life -1
For the five years since we began our renovation of Podere
Montecucco, our home in Italy, we have been documenting the
diversity of life-forms in and around our 'wild garden'.
The images in this gallery are the first selection of portraits of
our neighbours.
Much of my work is now related to promoting interest and awareness
of what is
'close
to home'.
I believe (and so do the people with whom I work on various
projects) that, in doing this, we can help encourage people to act
to preserve and protect before it is too late. And in the process
they can perfect their photographic techniques and obtain superb
images for their personal pleasure and edcuate others.
For
up-to-the-minute thoughts on this and other aspects of photography
go to the
BLOG.
Close
to Home I
know that I am especially fortunate in that, by choosing a
definition of 'close to home' as what I can get to in and around
two hours, I can get to the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy or inland to
the heights of Terminillo and alpine pastures at over 2000m
altitude.
Then there is a superb pond in La Renara within walking distance, a
river - La Paglia, some limestone meadows teeming with orchids and
insects at Acquapendente as well as the loveliest wood I have ever
seen - Il Sasseto.
When
we run courses we explore the diversity of all these habitats and
more, learning not just techniques but a whole philosophy of
working with nature and not against it