In this enchanting book David Bailey’s lifelong love for nature is captured superbly with images and stories of hares suffering bad hair days, ballerina spoonbills, love bite adders, cheesy goats and members of the royal family – forty-seven UK species are featured in total.

Four years of dedicated work have resulted in this book of stunning photographs; accompanying the images are David Bailey’s personal observations and vibrant stories from the light-hearted to the occasionally controversial.

There are vivid descriptions – of elation when capturing a quality image after many hours of waiting, often in the freezing cold; to the frustration of the weather turning against him after spending weeks tempting pine martens using boiled eggs and strawberry jam!

The four chapters follow the seasons, each section featuring the species you can expect to find during that period of the year, from winter migrants, those who hibernate or are nocturnal, to our all year-round residents. Easy reading for all ages and backgrounds, the images alone tell their own magnificent story, Wildlife Wanderings also includes occasional advice about field craft and camera techniques for the budding naturalist and photographer.

David Bailey was born into a New Forest family that bred the famous ponies and worked in the ancient woods. David has always had a love for the countryside and the creatures who make it their home. David never really picked up the camera until he moved to the Brecon Beacons in Wales in 2006. Self-taught in photography, he was persuaded to turn professional in 2008, winning the Welsh Wildlife Photographic Award 2011.

He has worked as a wildlife consultant, cameraman, photographer and appeared on the BBC’s Rhys Jones’ Wildlife-Patrol series. David has also appeared on BBC’s Springwatch, ITV Wales Coast & Country plus many radio programmes.

David also writes wildlife features for regional and national magazines including the Countryman, Hampshire Life and Dorset Life.

In 2016 he was presented with the Brandlaureate Personality Award (equivalent to a Grammy) by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, receiving the award – alongside Adele and Keanu Reeves – for being recognised as the world’s best in his particular field. Wildlife Wanderings is David’s second book.

Imprint: Halsgrove. ISBN 978 0 85704 352 8, hardback, 214x230mm, 144 pages. Published October 2020.