At this time of year, I usually post a small selection of pictures I have enjoyed making in the past 12 months. This time, I'm going to post four sets of three pictures, each of which represents a distinct strand among this year’s photographs. As always, they are not necessarily my “top” or “best” pictures, just some that give me lasting enjoyment.

In a year still dominated by Covid, photographing wild birds has been simple fun. Back in August, I went out to sea to photograph gannets feeding: that will be the first set of three.

Walking by shorelines or in marshy local areas has allowed me to spend time in well-ventilated places :) away from other people; being near open water is always good for my state of mind. Three pictures of birds near the shore or in marshes will be the second set of three

The third set changes gear away from birds and shows some watery "scapes": these have formed a small background project I'll continue into next year.

And finally, a memory of last spring, and something to look forward to. Last May, I set myself a small "yellow" project. Each spring, some of the fields near here burst with the yellow flowers of rapeseed (canola). The pictures of the final set are simply a reminder that the current grey, dull, cold, wet, covidaceous English winter will eventually give way to spring.

Wishing you and yours a happy — and hopefully less virus-dominated — new year!

1. Four gannets in three pictures

2. Three birds in marshy places

3. Three watery ’scapes

4. Yellows in spring