Life on the Floodplain: A Garden Wildlife Diary 2020

The diary of one year in rural Wales, telling the story of the wildlife photographed in Ceri Leigh’s garden on the Usk floodplain, as well as a bigger story of trauma, mental health and the power of nature to help heal the mind. Ceri Leigh was fascinated by wildlife as a child growing up in suburban Wales. She went on to study conservation and wildlife illustration before joining the Natural History Museum in London, initially as a graphic designer and then as Exhibitions Manager for Design & Conservation.

Ceri finally had her dream job. However, an accident on her way home from work one day, frightening in its sudden simplicity, resulted in severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This caused flashbacks, seizures and anxiety, which still significantly affect Ceri’s life.

Ceri moved back to Wales with her family and, as a coping mechanism, began taking photographs with her phone of the surrounding landscapes and wildlife. She wrote brief notes every day about the wildlife in her garden, nestled between the mountains beside the Usk floodplain. This has resulted in this book and local exhibitions of her photographs.