July and August included trips to South Devon’s Budleigh Salterton and Ladram Bay, as well as several nights spent under the stars in Botswana, Africa.
July is known for Noctilucent Clouds, a spectacular atmospheric phenomenon. These are high-altitude clouds made of ice crystals that glow brightly in the twilight sky, typically visible during summer months at high latitudes. I aimed to take every opportunity to photograph these displays, with the first chance arising at Budleigh Salterton. Looking northward from there, you can capture the meandering River Otter, which I thought would make a compelling composition alongside the local birdlife and the rolling hills of the Devon countryside.
A few nights later, I decided to visit Ladram Bay, knowing of a composition along the coast that could be especially photogenic during a Noctilucent cloud display.
August was highlighted by an incredible wildlife trip to Africa, during which my partner Cait and I traveled through South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia. We wild camped on several nights, and I took the opportunity to step outside a few times to enjoy the stunning southern hemisphere night skies.
