Backlit Wings at Warnham Local Nature Reserve – A Morning of Glowing Light

There’s something special about early mornings at Warnham Local Nature Reserve, but on 05/10/2025 the light offered something truly unique. As the sun began to rise, a soft golden glow spread across the water, creating the perfect conditions for one of my favourite photographic surprises — natural backlighting.

While I was watching the activity over the lake, a group of black-headed gulls began gliding low across the surface. Each turn of their wings caught the sunrise at just the right angle, causing the feathers to glow along the edges. Instead of strong silhouettes, the light passed through the wings, revealing delicate structure and a warm, translucent halo around each bird.

It was a completely different atmosphere from the high-contrast silhouette shots I often take at this spot, but equally rewarding. These backlit moments felt softer, calmer, and almost glass-like as the wings illuminated in motion.

I’m really pleased with how this series turned out — a reminder that the same species, in the same place, can look entirely different depending on the light.
I’m excited to share this set and hope the images convey a bit of the magic from that morning.