Discover our Area Through The Local Lens: Patrick Cal Callaby

Through the Local Lens' is a series celebrating the stunning Forest of Dean and Wye Valley through the eyes of passionate photographers who know this landscape intimately.

Each feature reveals what captures their imagination and draws them back time and again to this remarkable corner of Britain. From hidden gems that locals treasure to the seasonal transformations that make every visit unique, we explore how these artists see and experience the region's beauty.

Through their lenses and stories, discover what makes the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley so special, and perhaps find inspiration for your own photographic journey.

This episode focuses on the talented Patrick Cal Callaby and his experience of the area.

What draws you to photography in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley?

The endless and varied opportunities to photograph wildlife but also to enjoy the beauty of the Wye Valley, a boat trip from Chepstow to Tintern is absolutely stunning, I have done this a few times and never tire of it.

My favourite place in the Forest of Dean is without doubt, Nags Head nature reserve, I have spent endless hours slowly walking, watching and waiting in the woodlands, sometimes rewarded with very little, but just as often I have had great opportunities to get shots of Wild Boar, Deer and other creatures.

I often think that wildlife photography is as much about expectation as getting the actual shot, a bit extreme I know but if expectation wasn’t present no shots would be taken.

Can you share a location that locals might overlook but visitors would love to discover?

For nature lovers who wish to experience a reserve I can recommend Ban-y-Gor Woods, a nature reserve and part of a site of special scientific interest, and site of a Roman settlement, stretches one mile below a north-facing slope along the east bank of the deep valley of the River Wye, inside a wide bend and just north of a narrow ridge, on top of which is the tiny settlement of Lancaut. The valley sides south of the ridge are also wooded, contained within the larger Lancaut Nature Reserve. The above are not my words, but they describe the area better than I could.

For people with time and energy to spare, Ban y Gor can be accessed on foot from Chepstow via a pleasant walk beside the river, and take in the amazing beauty of this part of the Wye Valley, when passing under the limestone cliffs at the end of the straight keep your eyes open for the pair of Peregrine’s whose territory you are passing through. For people less enthusiastic about walking it can also be accessed from the village of Woodcroft where there is limited but free parking.

Those venturing to Ban-y-Gor will see the ruins of St. James’ church on the banks of the river Wye, information about the church and the lost village of Lancaut can be found here. St James, Lancaut

Apart from the expected array of wildlife, there is also a Heronry and close by a Cormorant Roost on the side of the river. Deer and Kingfisher are common in the area.

When ducklings and goslings are about in Spring, they run about on the large rafts of driftwood, mostly ignored by the mother, they can be quite independent straight from the egg, unlike most other birds.

What's your favourite season or time of day to capture this region, and why?

I love all the seasons but in common with (I suspect) the majority of people it has to be the Spring, the better weather to look forward to, the emergence of new life for many creatures, the countryside is buzzing, the early weeks are full of expectation, home building for birds and the collecting of materials that go with it. The Mallard on the river are busy treading, followed by groups of bachelors seemingly waiting for a grand event, which of course they are not. The females are busy sitting on eggs at various locations on the cliffs for the most part but other locations as well.

Many birds are “courting” and displaying, established pairs are canoodling and re-bonding, the Raven’s fly together, often touching in mid air, the Pigeon’s and Dove’s are amusing to watch as the male edges closer to the female who moves sideways until there is no room (on the wire, fence, wall), she then moves somewhere else and it starts again, very entertaining lol.

There is an excitement, an expectation, electricity in the air that only Spring can produce.

Plus after a long dark winter the light improves daily, daylight get longer, more flexibility of time, with the sun still low in the sky results can be excellent.

Tell us about one of your photos from this collection - what's the story behind it?

The paddling Peregrine Falcon chick, three chicks were exploring the territory, all landed on the opposite bank of the river Wye, walking around on the seaweed, jumping up as if it were springy like a trampoline, one decided to go for a paddle, there can’t be that many pictures around of a paddling Peregrine lol. I just wish I had taken a video.

Another is the Peregrine gossiping with a Crow in a tree, a very long shot that is heavily cropped, I like to think they are slandering the Gulls. Both are “novelty” pictures of unusual occurrences that please me, neither are very good shots but they are of something you don’t see very often.

What would you want visitors to feel when they see our area through your lens?

I would like them to feel privileged to see the abundance of wildlife, to be as pleased as I am pleased. I would like them to see wildlife for what it is, not all fluffy Robin’s or wide eyed and handsome deer, but nature tooth and claw, the daily battle for survival, the realisation of the cruelty of nature.

What's changed in the region since you started photographing here?

At The Back, Lower Chepstow the flood defence embankment and wall, the trees maturing, the older trees now have missing branches due to wind or surgery on safety grounds.

A block of flats replacing an old mill, another block of flats and further development where Dendix (a major local employer) the brush factory once stood.

Any photography tips for visitors wanting to capture their own memories here?

Yeah, bring a camera, it helps a lot.

Do not trespass, leave no litter, and the old one is “leave only footprints”, do not climb fences or walls, if you are allowed on the land it will have styles or gates for access, stick to footpaths and follow way markers, unless of course, you are in the forest.

The wildlife you come across need space, don’t try to get to close, be respectful, remember you are in their territory, they are not in yours.

When using a camera for wildlife, set it to burst mode to give the best chance of a useful shot, it costs (next to) nothing and gives great choices.

Take a shot when you reach your chosen location, review the shot(s) and make your adjustments, keep an eye on the light, make adjustments, this can be somewhat ongoing throughout the day, depending on the weather of course, wildlife gives no warning, be prepared as Baden-Powell would say.

For birds in flight, get lots of practice, any flying bird will do, Starling’s, Gulls etc. this will develop muscle memory for wielding your camera, you will get used to reviewing the shots and making necessary adjustments. You may then be ready for that elusive Goshawk or Peregrine, notice I said MAY lol.

What local business, attraction, or community spot deserves more attention?

The Back Lower Chepstow, NP16 5HS, this is the area between the A48 road bridge and the old town bridge which is presently closed, it is located on the Welsh bank of the River Wye. Locals take this area very much for granted, tourists love it, it has something for everybody, music days in the summer, sometimes with street food and mobile bars, there are two pubs close by, The Riverside Restaurant The Riverside Chepstow and the The Boat Inn Chepstow, both serve excellent food but only one sells ice cream lol, on a hot day you could be in a queue for some time.

In this area is also the start and finish point of the Wales Coastal Path, all 870 miles of it.

This is my favourite spot in the whole of Chepstow, the limestone cliffs on the English side are prime real estate for Peregrine Falcons, Church’s, Cathedrals, office blocks, and blocks of flats are all good nesting sites but there’s nothing quite like the sites nature provides. The local pair nest there each Spring and in the 14 years since I retired they have produced many young, only missing a couple of years. Not the same pair during that time though, sometimes a stronger bird will come on the scene, there will be a territory dispute and the stronger bird will take the place of the weaker one, this applies to Males (Tiercel) and Females (Falcon).

Since the lifting of the tolls on both river Severn crossings there has been an influx of people from Bristol and its surrounding area, there are many (comparative) strangers to the Chepstow area. So many times after posting on the community page I have read that people do not know the area in Chepstow known as The Back, which is the old word for Wharf. I wanted newcomers to the area to feel included, to be a part of this local and very popular area and be thrilled, as I am thrilled, by what they see, if they would only look down at the river or up into the sky.

I and friends often sit by the river, passers by when seeing spotting scopes, binoculars and cameras with long lens’ ask what we are looking for, the answer is simple “anything that moves”. This is followed by more details of course, Deer or Foxes in the two quarries opposite, Buzzard’s, Peregrine’s, Sparrowhawk’s and sometimes Red Kite’s are overhead. There are other birds in the area, the inevitable Mallard, Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull, Black Backed Gull, Cormorant, Common Sandpiper now and then, plus many others.

North Atlantic Grey Seals swim far up the river, they have been seen to my certain knowledge as far as Monmouth, but possibly beyond there. Porpoise visited several times last year, but as luck would have it, I didn’t see them, so sadly I don’t have pictures.

About Patrick Cal Callaby

I am Patrick Callaby, more commonly called Cal, a nickname picked up while serving in the army as a very young man, it has followed me around for over 60 years, very few people call me Patrick.

I was born and bred in a small village in Norfolk, my love of wildlife and the countryside is in my genes.

I administer Chepstow and District Wildlife Photography, assisted by 3 other admins, it is a Facebook page and has been in existence since January 2019, so now seven years old. It came about because I started to post pictures of wildlife on local community pages, these were well received, so after several months of posting I decided that Chepstow should have its own wildlife page.

I still post wildlife shots on the local community pages but these are blatant and unashamed recruiting posts for the Chepstow Wildlife page and I make no secret of it. Apart from recruiting I also want the people of Chepstow to know what is on their doorstep by way of wildlife.

Currently I am using a Sony A7r mark 4 camera in combination with the Sony 400-800mm G series lens, I never use a tripod or mono pod because I am far too lazy to carry one, the only thing I do carry on occasion is my little three legged stool, this assists me in my laziness.

My favourite photographic subjects are those closest to my car such is my laziness.

Seriously, my favourite subject is the Kestrel, I wonder at their hovering skills (kiting), other birds imitate it but all fall short of the Kestrel’s skill, their head is locked on to their potential quarry and when the time is right they strike with a short but lightening stoop. As nature dictates they are only successful some of the time.

I do not take landscape shots, after all the landscape will be there again tomorrow and I can admire it all over again. nor still life shots, I am strictly wildlife in all its forms.

Chepstow & District Wildlife Photography is NOT limited to the Chepstow area in content or membership.

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