I’ve spent enough damp days on Pennine bogs to know that overtrousers are not a one-size-fits-all purchase. They need to keep driving rain and rising peat water out, while also letting your sweat escape during long slogging sections or steep climbs. In this piece I share how I choose and test...
Jun 14, 2026
• by Aurélien Duval
Latest News from Outdoorangus Co
Running a hedgerow moth night in a village is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to connect people with nocturnal wildlife. You don't need a garden full of professional kit or a heavy wallet — just a bit of planning, a white sheet, a light source, a camera (even a smartphone), and a willingness to learn. Below I walk through everything I do for community moth nights and how I then...
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On cold, wind-blasted mornings when I’m chasing the soft light over the sea, the last thing I want is moisture on my lens or my camera body getting drenched by spray. Over the years I’ve learned that a simple, lightweight waterproof shelter made from a tarpaulin can keep my gear dry, let me work low to the ground for interesting foregrounds, and collapse into a compact kit that won’t slow a...
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I slipped into my first pair of elevator shoes years ago expecting a novelty; what I found surprised me. If you've ever wondered whether height increasing shoes can be discreet, comfortable and suitable for an active lifestyle, I can share a practical, experience-driven take that goes beyond glossy marketing. This is about more than gaining 2–4 inches — it's about posture, confidence and...
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When I want to understand the history hidden in a hedgerow, I run a simple age survey that combines field observation, a few quick measurements, and clear record-keeping. Over years of walking, photographing and surveying hedgerows across the UK I’ve found this approach reliable enough to build useful local data and to feed into county trusts and recording schemes. Below I’ll walk you through...
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Why a strict 10-item kit works for exposed headlandsHeadland photography is a lesson in restraint. On exposed cliffs you’re dealing with wind, spray, uncertain footing and birds that are often distant and quick. I don’t want a van-load of kit on these walks — I want a compact, reliable 20L rucksack and only the essentials that let me get the shot and stay safe. This list is what I’ve...
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I’ve been carrying the Osprey Archeon 35 on mixed photography-and-hiking days for several months now, testing it across coastal clifftops, muddy moorland and the damp, changeable weather the UK throws at you. I was looking for a pack that balanced comfortable load-carrying with quick access to camera kit, and enough weather protection that I wasn’t constantly worrying about rain on my camera....
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I started watching urban and rural foxes years ago, initially out of simple curiosity and a love for photographing wildlife in its most candid moments. Dusk is a magical time: the light softens, activity increases, and foxes — especially family groups with pups — can be remarkably visible. But dusk foxwatching carries responsibilities. In this post I’ll share how I plan a dusk foxwatch walk...
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I’ve learned to travel light without sacrificing the things that make a microadventure feel complete: a dry shelter, warm layers, a hot drink, and my camera kit. Packing for a coast-to-coast microadventure in a 30‑litre rucksack is an exercise in priorities and organisation — it forces you to decide what truly matters and to carry only what you’ll use. Below I’ll walk you through how I...
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I’ve lost count of the times a flash of something unexpected has stopped me mid-step on a muddy path — that sudden rush of adrenaline, the scramble to get a good view, and the clumsy juggling of phone, scope and notebook. Over the years I’ve learned that a calm, practical approach gets the best records and keeps the bird safe. Below I share the exact data and photo checklist I use to log...
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There’s a special hush to lowland rivers at dawn — mist lifting off the water, the first insects waking, and the flash of a kingfisher slicing through the pale light. If you want to photograph these jewel-bright birds without lugging a full hide and spooking them, planning and a lightweight-hide alternative can make the difference between a good shot and an empty morning. I’ve learned this...
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