Watch. Wait. Protect

That simple phrase sums up how I see the world and the work I do.

I’m Craig Thomson, a British wildlife photographer, field naturalist and educator who believes the best photographs come from understanding wildlife, not chasing it. Through The Wildlife Nomad, I share the art of ethical, low-impact wildlife photography, teaching others how to slow down, read the land, and let nature reveal itself on its own terms.

A life shaped by wild places

My journey began more than thirty-five years ago, camera in hand, watching elephants move across the savannah in Kenya. That first trip taught me something lasting: patience and respect bring the real encounters.

Today, I split my time between the Wye Valley in the UK……..home to goshawks, otters and badgers……..and a renovated farmhouse in the wild hills of Limousin, France, where pine martens, red squirrels and wildcats roam the woods.

Both landscapes shape my work. I photograph their wildlife, write about their ecology, and teach the fieldcraft that helps others connect with the same quiet intensity.

Fieldcraft over chance

Every image on this site is built on a foundation of careful observation and ethical practice.

My approach is simple:

• Fieldcraft first — understand the animal before lifting the camera.

• Patience always — spend days learning patterns, routes and microhabitats.

• Respect above all — the welfare of the subject comes before the shot.

I write about these principles in my ongoing blog series Fieldcraft for Photographers, and I teach them through workshops and talks aimed at photographers who want to build deeper, more meaningful relationships with the natural world.

A mission rooted in ethics and connection

The Wildlife Nomad project exists to prove that wildlife photography can be both powerful and responsible. My work blends natural history, storytelling and conservation insight — encouraging others to appreciate wild Britain and Europe through curiosity, care and humility.

I collaborate with wildlife trusts, local conservation groups and fellow photographers to promote habitat protection and ethical monitoring. My images have been used by conservation campaigns and ethical initiatives across the UK and France.

What you’ll find here

On this site you’ll discover:

• Wildlife blogs and field guides on species like otters, badgers, pine martens, foxes and goshawks.

• Habitat guides exploring woodlands, estuaries, moorlands and farmland.

• Practical tutorials on tracking, camera traps, and moving silently in the field.

• Monthly news stories highlighting conservation wins and challenges.

Each piece is grounded in experience and shaped by a single guiding idea:

Let wildlife reveal itself to you.

Connect and learn more

Follow my journey on

📸 Instagram @the.wildlifenomad

🌳 Facebook @TheWildlifeNomad

or explore the latest projects and stories at www.thewildlifenomad.com.

If you share a love of wild things, fieldcraft and honest storytelling — you’re in the right place.