For June, alongside my Daily Nature Photo Challenge, I set myself a mini challenge for #30DaysWild.

The idea was simple. Spend a month paying a little extra attention to the smaller things that are easy to miss. Not rare wildlife or perfect photographs, just everyday nature waiting to be noticed.

By the end of the month I’d photographed dozens of species. Dragonflies, damselflies, moths, butterflies, beetles, flies and everything in between. Some were colourful, some were tiny, and a few were so well hidden that finding them felt like a challenge in itself.

One of my favourite discoveries was a metallic green beetle resting on a bright blue cornflower. It’s the sort of scene that could easily be overlooked, but when you stop for a moment and really look, nature often rewards you with something special.

The challenge also produced close encounters with dragonflies, delicate damselflies, striking burnet moths and tiny insects that most people would walk straight past without ever knowing they were there. None of them required expensive equipment, specialist knowledge or a trip to a nature reserve. Most were found during ordinary walks, often not far from home.

That’s one of the things I love about #30DaysWild. It isn’t really about taking photographs at all. It’s about noticing. Looking up, slowing down and becoming more aware of the wildlife sharing the spaces around us.

While June may be over, the idea behind the challenge doesn’t have to end with the month. You don’t need to photograph something every day, keep a list of species, or commit to a four-year photo challenge. Simply taking a few minutes to explore your local park, garden, street or footpath can be enough.

You never know what might be waiting amongst the grass, perched on a flower, or quietly resting beside a pond.

#30DaysWild may have finished for another year, but nature is still there, and the next discovery could be just around the corner.

#KeepWalkingKeepDiscovering.