@Gareth Parkes I got led to this site thanks to our connection earlier today on that old oak from Lithuania. Check this one out. 400 to 800 years old. https://springbankretreat.org/ nearby me in South Carolina, I want to go.

Some trees win hearts not through spectacle, but through presence — the kind of presence that settles into a landscape and into a community’s memory. The Oak of Laukiai, a 400‑year‑old Quercus robur rooted in the small Rukai village of Lithuania, is exactly that kind of tree. Once almost forgotten, it stood in silence for centuries, watching generations come and go. But last year, something remarkable happened: the local community restored the land around it and held a celebration in its honour. That act of care rekindled a relationship between people and place — a reminder that nature’s oldest companions often speak the loudest without saying a word. Today, the sixth generation of Laukiai grows up beneath its branches, grateful for its shade, its stillness, and its steady witness across time. With 6,153 tree points, the Oak of Laukiai has officially been crowned European Tree of the Year 2026 — a testament not just to its age, but to the love of the people who refused to let it fade into obscurity. 🌱 Why this tree matters - Species: Common oak (Quercus robur L.) - Age: ~400 years - Location: Rukai village, Skuodas district, Lithuania - Story: A symbol of community, continuity, and the quiet resilience of nature - Recognition: 1st place in the European Tree of the Year 2026 contest As Richard Mabey once wrote, “To be without trees would, in the most literal way, be to be without our roots.” This oak reminds us how true that is. What tree local to you inspires you?

You may have noticed a few things shifting around inside The Wildlife Lens. That’s intentional. I’m reshaping the space so it becomes something far richer than a showcase of my own work — a place where your stories, sightings, and outdoor moments take centre stage. My recent trip to South Africa brought this home in a surprising way. After a lifetime of adventures, I found myself surrounded by younger outdoor enthusiasts, and it struck me how easily I could slip into the role of the “know‑it‑all old hand” who unintentionally dominates the conversation. That’s the last thing I want for this community. The truth is, I’m endlessly fascinated by the everyday magic you encounter outdoors. A tame robin hopping in for mealworms, a Canada Goose gliding into a quiet pond — these moments thrill me just as much as any expedition. They’re reminders that nature isn’t only found in far‑flung landscapes; it’s alive in the ordinary, the local, the familiar. To make space for more of your voices, I’m moving all the heavier resources — the deep‑dive journaling, the structured modules, the long‑form teaching — into the Classroom. That way, the main feed becomes a living, breathing tapestry of your experiences, not a lecture hall. Not to boast but to show you my passion: I have an active Amateur Photography Group of over 3000 members, I take groups to Birding sites regularly across Europe, I also give bird and wildlife lectures. I am an ordained Minister, now retired. I write for fun and am often asked to do business consulting. Over 50 years I’ve published several books — theology, business, motivation, photography, outdoors, birding, even fiction — all now out of print, last published about 15 years ago. The modules I’m building here draw from that same depth of experience. If they were published as a trilogy, they’d be worth around $25, but I’ve set them at $3 each simply to reflect value, not to create a barrier. And if that still feels like a stretch, just message me. I’ll happily give you free access. This has never been about money; it’s about creating something meaningful together.