Talented writer, artist, photographer and film-maker Alicia Hayden launched Rain before Rainbows, a collection of illustrated poems written over the past ten years, in December.
Alicia Hayden said:
These poems are about wildlife and the natural world, its beauty and its fragility – and why it’s essential we protect it.
I knew I wanted to raise awareness about the environment, and also donate money to a conservation charity, it was a lot of work, as well as a lot of fun.
All of my work is inspired by the natural world in some way, as I think there is so much intricacy and incredible behaviour to observe in nature.
The 21-year-old, who left Ripon Grammar School in 2018, and is now in her third year studying biological sciences at the University of Oxford, also makes short wildlife films based on her local walks.
One recent film, featuring a wood mouse, was broadcast on Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin’s Self Isolating Bird Club on YouTube.
It was winning the RSPCA Young Photographer of the Year award when she was ten years old, with a stunning picture of a hoverfly mid-air, which gave her the confidence to continue with her craft, while aiming to pursue a career in wildlife filmmaking.
Rain Before Rainbows, £10.99 (with 50%t of profits going to Tiggywinkles) is available from Little Ripon Bookshop.
View Alicia’s wildlife films here: https://aliciahaydenwildlifephotography.zenfolio.com/film
