“I heard someone on TV say they didn’t think Essex had wildlife, until someone said wildlife is everywhere. What is the world coming to?” That's the question left by listener James, in Ecclefechan, Scotland for your co-hosts Stuart and William to delve into.

Wildlife? More Like Wild Conspiracies! Join William and Stuart as they dissect the absurdities of British wildlife with all the enthusiasm of a damp Saturday in Colchester. William opens by suggesting that if you haven’t graced Colchester with your presence, then clearly you’ve missed out on all the subtle wonders it has to offer—even if they’re as unexciting as a bus stop in the drizzle.

Stuart then delves into the baffling story from thirty years back, when someone reckoned that North Wales was practically bird-free—simply because no one bothered to record them. That is, until a slightly under-the-weather bird watcher on Anglesey made the inconvenient discovery that, shocker, birds do exist. Yes, even in a landscape where no one takes notes, nature finds a way to upend common sense.

Ever the inquisitor, William questions which part of Essex this supposed wildlife desert applies to, considering that even the busiest corners of the county attract a touch of life. Stuart is quick to chime in: if your idea of wildlife is confined to roaming elephants and lions, you’re in for a rude awakening—try rolling back your carpet and what's under there.

For the pièce de résistance, they tackle the wild conspiracy theories claiming that not only does New Zealand not exist, but neither does Finland. So naturally, it’s a short leap of logic to imagine that Essex is just a barren wasteland devoid of any real wildlife.

Martin, from Portree, Scotland sets the next question - “Heard you say you are not that active as a photographer these days William, do you see a time where you’d go back to it? Here in Portree, for a large part of the year, the landscape is multiple layers of grey. Have you done much photography with such a simple pallet?”

Martin's question was the wake-up call William didn't know he needed. While other projects hogged the schedule, the camera was left gathering dust, and he admits he never quite granted himself the freedom to simply go out and shoot. Now though, he's slowly easing back into photography, sharing the notion that layers in landscape photography can transform even the most ordinary view into something with unexpected depth.

Meanwhile, Stuart spices things up with a side story. He recounts a tale of a Portree painter who was so fixated on capturing the ever-changing moods of grey that she found herself painting four different canvases in the span of a single day. Apparently, the local weather wasn't content with just one look—each passing moment demanded its own portrait.

Reflecting on his past and looking to the future, William confesses a need for subject matter that truly resonates with him. Back in the day, he was a prolific railway photographer with a portfolio that got plenty of press and the satisfaction of mastering a craft he loved. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, he's dipping his toes into photography once again—and you can catch his latest snaps on Instagram under the handle @shotatanangle.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

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