These paintings and drawings arose from strolls around the serpentine lake in Toxteth’s Princes Park. An oasis of nature in L8, the park was designed by Joseph Paxton and opened in 1842. Today, the lake is home to a wide variety of wildlife and stocked fish. Now a Grade II Historical site, the park is a centre for local activities and is cared for by the Friends of Princes Park (friendsofprincesparkl8.org.uk). With a background in scientific illustration, David Montagnes has spent the last 25 years working as an ecologist at the University of Liverpool.