With my base in Bournemouth its only just inside the border of East Dorset.  East of east is the county of Hampshire so not too far away.  I could also explore some of what Hampshire has to offer the budding landscape photographer my first trip into the county of Hampshire would be on the coast, Keyhaven and the Solent.

Keyhaven and the Solent

As usual to get an idea of the kind of hiking and landscape available in a given county of England I used the AA’s 50 walks in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight guide.  I always prefer walks along the coast rather than inland and Keyhaven and the Solent were in west Hampshire, so nearby.

Was a beautiful day walking along the Solent way towards the Keyhaven marshes. Everywhere you looked made a good subject for some landscape photography.  Composition can often be difficult though if not technically.

Looking west along the Solent way were views of Hurst Castle and behind the Isle of Wight.  The Keyhaven marshes are a birdwatchers paradise with many different species visiting all year round and some conveniently located bird hides.

Cattle were also grazing on the marshes cooling down standing still in the shallow waters.  Carrying on the walk along the solent you pass Pennington marshes and nature reserve and then heading up an inlet at Oxley where I capture my favourite photograph of the day

Love the middle ground of the stalk’s reflection in the water along with the fluffy white clouds and of the course the star the anchored boat in low tide.

Thoroughly enjoyed my first walk in Hampshire and around Keyhaven on the Solent.  I would be returning to Hampshire but inland to visit the new Forest for the first time.