As I usually do, I am posting a small selection of pictures that either sum up something about this year or that I enjoyed making. These are not my "top" or "best" pictures, simply some that reflect a few aspects of 2022.

There are four sets of three pictures, each on different themes.

1. Flowers for the Queen

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, just months after the Platinum Jubilee of her reign. I went to document the flowers laid in tribute to her at Buckingham Palace and in Green Park a few days before her funeral. More pictures and text in the blog post Flowers for the Queen.

2. The war in Ukraine.

Three pictures that symbolise some aspects of the War in Ukraine.

The Russian dictator Putin began his unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. It has not gone the way he planned: he has achieved little beyond death, pain, suffering and destruction.

One sign of the solidarity of the UK public with Ukraine was the number of Ukraine flags that quickly appeared. The picture here is from May in Hastings, and shows the UK and Ukraine flags flying side-by-side.

Many countries across the Western world and beyond have contributed aid and equipment for the defence of Ukraine. The Canadian Air Force has stationed some Hercules transport aircraft in the UK. The picture here shows one of them preparing to depart from RAF Northolt after a stop there. The loadmaster is checking all is clear before closing up for departure (October).

The 48th Fighter Wing (Liberty Wing) based at Lakenheath provided detachments to Poland to support the NATO air policing mission at the time of the invasion. The picture here shows an F-15E of the 48th FW launching from Lakenheath after dark later in the year, its afterburner glowing brightly (September).

3. Some animals doing what animals do

With all that is going on in the world, I find that engaging with nature remains a source of sanity.

Fulmars nesting in the Thanet cliffs (March). I know I shouldn't anthropomorphise, but sometimes it can't be helped. David Bowie's words come to mind:

"Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact. Yes we're lovers, and that is that"

Four-spotted chaser dragonflies mating in flight (May). Taken at a local lake.

An early morning trip to Richmond Park for the rutting season (October). The sun had not risen fully, and this stag was already having to defend his harem against ever-hopeful younger males, as well as keeping the attention of the hinds. The image shows him bellowing, which he did in all directions and especially when a competitor stag appeared, at which point he would charge at the intruder.

4. Some birds

Just because…

Spectacled warbler, Madeira, March (see blog)

A ringed Plover on the shell beach at Shellness (May).

A pied avocet in flight at Oare marshes (October). It always gives me great pleasure to see avocets: they were very rare in the UK a few decades ago, but have been quite a success story since then. It is a huge treat to head up the road to some local marshes on the north Kent coast and see flocks of 80-100 feeding on the mudflats.

And that, at least, is an optimistic note to go out of 2022. Wishing you and yours a happy new year!