I’ve always been interested in natural history. Recently I’ve been more aware of the effect of nature on me.

When I was in my twenties I worked in a zoo and alway presumed I continue to work outside and with nature somehow.

That didn’t really happen.

As I get towards the other end of my working life I find I am bringing nature into my classroom and talking my pupils out a lot more. The push for outdoor learning is helping as is the school I am currently working in.

I am also spending more of my weekends outside after a couple of decades of ‘spare’ time in front of a computer.

I notice a shift in my interest and attention, I now see things l must have passed many times in my youth, flora, small creatures and signs of their passing. I was always on the looked for these, but in the last couple of years I seem to be getting better at it.

I’ve seen half a dozen lizards this year in places I’ve been visiting for years without a sighting. I sometimes am aware of the depth of space around me as insects come in and out of focus. Colours, clouds and landscapes take on not much meaning but better a definition of sorts.