Alan Mackenzie Photography

The year 2013 began cold and winter weather extended right into April. Just look at the first picture of Kingston Ridge for evidence of a ravished, pallid landscape, more reminiscent of February than springtime. When Britain was finally released from the cruel grip of winter, the delay in growth was all too apparent. Even in early May, Friston Forest was barely distinguishable from January. Bluebells were several weeks late and lasted until June, when Roe deer still had their thick winter coats. After a warm start to June, the rest of the month was cool and unsettled. Banks of fog rolled over poppy fields and summer 2013 looked set to be another mediocre disappointment. Enter the July heatwave of 2013. With coastal temperatures rising to the high twenties, we basked in an uncommonly pleasant and prolonged spell of good weather. Painted Ladies, Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Cabbage Whites and Red Admiral butterflies flourished across the county and for once, the air remained still, ...

Cool mornings and shorter days herald the arrival of September, with its bountiful harvests of corn and soft fruit. Some argue that it doesn't even count as autumn at all, instead classing it as summer minor . Indeed, early October in southern England can also mimic summer, with temperatures in the early to high twenties. Autumn is perhaps the most beautiful, mellow and eccentric season of all. It is our last chance to appreciate pleasant weather, before we retreat into a long, winter slumber. The days are still long enough for walks in the countryside; mild temperatures allow for light layers of clothing and towards the end of October, trees enter their dormant phase with a vivid display of yellow, orange and red. Not all trees of the same species change colour at once. Beech woodlands often feature early September green on one side of a glade and early November on the other.  If I was to pick my favourite autumn experience, it would surely be walking through the forest, ...

The price of being in the right place at the right time is being in the wrong place at the wrong time, hundreds of times. On occasions, everything comes together, making photographs stand out. It's not about "having a good camera" or pressing a button. Anyone can kick a football, but If I exchanged my camera for a pair of boots and ran out onto the pitch, the team wouldn't keep a clean sheet for very long.  I've been thinking about posting my stand-out photos on one page for some time now, but the time hasn't been right, until now. Late summer and early autumn is not a very productive time for wildlife photographers. The growing season is finished; high vegetation obscures small mammals from view. Until the appearance of brilliant colours and starling murmurations in late autumn, my choices will be limited. I hope you will join me in looking back at some of my better photographs taken over the last few years.