Halnaker Harvest

I've photographed Halnaker Windmill many times, but catching it at harvest time adds a whole different dimension to the scene. I was driving through the West Sussex countryside on this late June evening when I spotted this field ready for cropping, with the windmill peeking over the top of the hill. The composition practically demanded to be photographed—those golden crop tones in the foreground leading your eye up to the windmill's distinctive silhouette.

The evening light was doing beautiful things to the landscape. Soft and warm, it enhanced every texture—the crops ready for harvest, the surrounding greenery, the structure of the windmill itself. The sky above was a perfect mix of blue and white with fluffy clouds adding depth and interest without overwhelming the scene. It's one of those classic English countryside moments where agriculture and heritage come together.

Halnaker Windmill, built in 1750, stands as a testament to West Sussex's agricultural history. Seeing it positioned above fields that are still being farmed centuries later creates this wonderful continuity—a reminder that while farming methods have changed, the land continues its productive cycle. The windmill has watched over countless harvests from its hilltop perch.

When you look at this photograph, I want you to feel that connection to agricultural heritage and the rhythm of the seasons—the golden crops ready for harvest, the historic windmill standing watch, and that beautiful Sussex evening light bringing it all together in one frame.