Golden Morning Light at Warnham Local Nature Reserve – A Perfect Autumn Moment

On the morning of 05/10/2025, Warnham Local Nature Reserve delivered one of those rare, unforgettable scenes that every wildlife photographer hopes for. As the sun began to rise, the entire reserve was washed in a deep amber glow — the kind of warm, golden light that transforms an ordinary moment into something almost magical. It only lasts a few minutes, but when it arrives, everything in nature seems to pause and align.

During this brief window, the black-headed gulls were fully in their element. They skimmed across the mirrored surface of the water, diving and gliding effortlessly. Each movement created perfect ripples across the stillness, and the low sun turned their shapes into striking silhouettes. It was a chance to capture a series of atmospheric images where light, behaviour and timing all came together.

These are the moments that make wildlife photography so rewarding — when the conditions shift just enough to create something special, and you're there to witness it.

I hope you enjoy the photos from this morning as much as I enjoyed capturing them. Warnham continues to be an incredible place for both peaceful moments and unexpected surprises, and it never fails to remind me why I love working with nature and light.