Life amongst the dead

Life and death are innately connected to each other, as one thing breaks down new things thrive in their stead. No where is this clearer then in a graveyard, filled as it is with plants and trees bursting into life. Multitudes of birds and a diverse array of animal life.

Its comforting to know that even as our lives pass we can be buried to provide life and nutrients to such beautiful and diverse life and that our loved ones will place us to rest amoungst such peaceful beauty.


I set out with my camera to explore this recently, to capture the beauty that remain when our lives have past. To prove that in the places where our remains are placed we will still find life amongst the dead.

The emerald heart of the forest

Its no secret for me to say that I love nature, I never feel more alive then when I'm out surrounded by trees, streams, rocks and rivers. I love the way that light falls through leaves, the way that barns and buildings become reclaimed. Ivy and brambles slinking into the cracks and binding everything in green.

The sound of birds above me and the song of the brook running over stones. Rustling leaves and the sound of rabbits brushing the undergrowth. Th dappling of sunlight passing through clouds. The wind, the rain, the sun and the forest, nature has its own living beating emerald heart.

And step by step man is killing it, encroaching further and further upon it and pushing it further and further back to its boundries to a pint of no return and it breaks my heart. Nature is precious and beautiful and like anything precious and beautiful it should be preserved. We should spend more money on it, build gardens around it, use less harsh chemicals on it and protect more of it.

This is the only way we can protect that most precious jewel, the emerald heart of the forest.

Seasons of Mist

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? Think not of them, thou hast thy music too, While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day, And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue; 
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; 
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn. - To Autumn, John Keats

Outside of somewhere like Canada I would argue that wales is one of the best places to experience autumn. The leaves on trees shift from green to red to gold and are finally swept from their moorings by autumnal storms.

Mist veils the world in an ethereal haze and crisp mornings leave fields frosted over with dew. And after a days of kicking your way through leaves you can always retired to your local pub to warm up and get in a pint.

These pictures were taken on a day out in abercynon, on a particularly scenic trail that carried you up into the hills and wooded areas that surrounded the area. With sunlight filtering through clouds, leaves crunching underfoot and stunning views over the surrounding fields it proves autumn in Britain really is an inspiring time to get out and take some pictures.