Photography Archives – Louis P Creative https://www.louispcreative.co.uk/project-category/photography/ Art & Photography Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:17:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Amphibians are Friends https://www.louispcreative.co.uk/project/amphibians-are-friends/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:10:15 +0000 https://www.louispcreative.co.uk/?post_type=dt_portfolio&p=6111 Set in a quiet wooded glade at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, this exhibition brings amphibians into focus in a way that’s hard to ignore.

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AMPHIBIANS ARE FRIENDS

- A TALE OF TOAD PATROL

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Introduction

Amphibians Are Friends – A Tale of Toad Patrol is an exhibition focused on raising awareness of local amphibians and the work of Ringwood & Poulner Toad Patrol.

Every year, volunteers head out to Highwood Lane and Gorley Road in Ringwood, helping toads and other amphibians safely cross during their migration.

I’ve spent time documenting these patrols through photography, capturing moments that most people never see. With the support of Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, this work is now on display to help highlight both the wildlife on our doorstep and the volunteers working to protect it.

The Exhibition

Set in a quiet wooded glade at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, this exhibition brings amphibians into focus. Utilising macro photography I have brought these small creatures into a large format to display in a nature setting, the exhibition consists of:

  • 12 large-format photographic panels
  • Close-up, detailed portraits of toads and amphibians
  • Information about amphibians, compiled by Roger Tidball
  • Photograph from other patrollers
  • Quotes from patrollers
  • A mix of beauty, fragility, and reality

Opening Event

The exhibition was officially opened by the Mayor of Ringwood, Rae Frederick, alongside local volunteers, rangers, and conservation groups.

Visit the Exhibition

Location:

Moors Valley Country Park

Whereabouts:

On the play trail about 15 min walk from the car park

How long for:

Until July 2026

Thank you:

TOAD PATROL
MOORS VALLEY
FORESTRY ENGLAND

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]]> 6111 Toad Patrol https://www.louispcreative.co.uk/project/toad-patrol/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:25:14 +0000 https://www.louispcreative.co.uk/?post_type=dt_portfolio&p=5782 Case study supporting Ringwood & Pulner Toad Patrol

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Toad Patrol: A Photographic Case Study

Documenting the annual migration of amphibians across Highwood Lane and Gorley Road, and the dedicated efforts to protect them.

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Introduction

Every year, as winter gives way to spring, thousands of amphibians cross roads to reach their breeding ponds. I joined the Ringwood & Poulner Toad Patrol not just as a volunteer, but as a photographer hoping to document these amphibians making their way back to the lakes, what I came to realise was the fragility between loss and survival.

This case study is a personal account of what I have experienced and captured during my time as a patroller.

I would like to say that I am not an amphibian expert but this is my take on a situation as a photographer and volunteer.

AMPHIBIANS ARE FRIENDS

Through this case study, I hope to spark your interest and encourage empathy for the wildlife and nature on our doorstep.

The Ringwood & Poulner route

Location:

Highwood Lane and Gorley Road, Ringwood

Road Type:

40mph speed limit with no pavements

Patrol Method:

Vehicle patrol under FrogLife guidance

Hazards of patrol

Amphibians face a lot of hazards during migration season — and so do the patrollers. I imagine frogs, newts and toads move at night to avoid predators, but they can’t exactly avoid cars. As humans, we now commute straight through these ancient migration routes. I figure if we have the ability to create such brilliant infrastructure we have the capacity to care for nature.

Some of the hazards we deal with on the route include:

  • Fast drivers
  • Low light conditions
  • Lack of signage
  • Low visibility during wet weather
  • Lack of pavement on patrol route forcing patrol to take place in vehicle

Toads like to move when it is raining, so this increases the risk of collision with drivers who will inevitably have poor visibility. Newts also look like sticks, so for the untrained eye it is near on impossible to know what to look for, this poses a logistical nightmare for newts, some of which are protected species (Great Crested Newt – Triturus cristatus) and cross on this route, this is a strong point for potential change along the route. 

My take

For me personally, I don’t find patrolling the route particularly hazardous, and I’m not too phased by drivers who are in a rush to get past. That said, I have pulled over to let vehicles pass me and instantly watched toads be hit, this is particularly upsetting. There have also been moments — like getting out to move a toad and having cars try to squeeze past my stationary vehicle while I’m still in the road. People also beep at you just for driving slowly.

The ups and downs

Toad Patrol brings with it both uplifting moments and real challenges. Through this case study, I want to share both—the joy and connection I’ve found, and the harder truths I’ve come across along the way.

The ups

  • Seeing multiple amphibians reach the pond in one shift.
  • Connecting with likeminded individuals.
  • Being around nature.

The downs

  • Pulling over to let a car pass and watching it hit a toad.
  • Having to put a toad down which was still alive but had no chance of survival.
  • Seeing spawn strewn over the road from a squished female.

Amphibians up close

A photographic gallery of rescued amphibians.

Gear I use:

These photographs were taken with my now-retired Canon 6D MkII, my current Canon RP and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Autofocus Macro Lens.

How I work:

My technique is to put the camera in manual mode, the lens in manual focus, capture a number of images and focus stack in post process.

CONTENT WARNING

The cost of crossing

Warning: Contains sensitive images of damaged and deceased amphibians. These images document the impact of speeding vehicles during migration season. Click below to reveal the image.

Female, deceased, with visible spawn squished from her body. Pic 1

Female, deceased, with visible spawn squished from her body. Pic 2

A common sight is a toad squished with its tongue or innards hanging out of its mouth.

Common toad, still alive but heavily damaged and unable to walk. My guess is it was hit one side as the right arm and leg were immobile. 

Common newt, deceased, struck and instantly killed. Pic 1

Common newt, deceased, struck and instantly killed. Pic 2

The people who patrol

There’s more to Toad Patrol than just the migration — it’s also about the people on patrol. The patrollers I’ve met have all shared something in common: a quiet dedication to protecting wildlife. I’m genuinely grateful to those who’ve welcomed me along for the journey — your kindness and patience helped shape this case study.

What can be done?

There are signs at either end of the road — small, yellow ones. They’re easy to miss, especially in the dark. Potentially there could be proper signage, a seasonal speed limit, and more awareness that migration season isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a biological imperative for local wildlife.

Prominent signage

Better signage would increase awareness

Seasonal speed limits

Seasonal speed limits would reduce the damage caused to wildlife along the migration routes.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This isn’t about blaming people. It’s about asking drivers to share the road with wildlife for a short window of the year. It’s about compassion, awareness, and giving creatures who’ve lived in these woods for millennia a fair shot at completing their migration route and maintaining population numbers.

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