Spiders at Rye Meads

We visited Rye Meads today having heard that the Kingfishers were on their fourth brood but it appears that they have abandonned the nest as no kingfishers had been seen during the whole morning. However there were lots of Spiders including several pairs chasing each other. The smaller body and the large pedipalps identified the males. Also photographed a coupled pair of Emerald Damselflies.

Indian Summer in Cambridge

It was more like mid July than late September yesterday in Cambridge. I had grabbed my infrared as I rushed out of the house to meet Andrew and Lisa for a photo session in Cambridge but it turned out to be a good choice. The Cam was more like the M25 at time with long punt jams but amazingly noone fell in while we were watching.

Clumber Park with Nex 55-210mm lens

I have previously been underwhelmed by the quality of the 55-210mm lens that came with my Sony Nex system. However, I took extra care with the shutterspeeds and allowing camera to focus fully during a visit to clumber Park and am pleased with the result

The Workhouse Southwell

This is the most complete workhouse in existence, built in 1824 as a place of last resort for the poor and needy. Its architecture was influenced by prison design and it became a blueprint for workhouses throughout the country. The first two images show the original 'deadhouse' for corpses and the later mortuary. I particularly liked all the long corridors and peeling paint

Chatham Salute to the 40s

 Thirty Members of Cambridge Camera club and friends and relatives had a coach trip to  Chatham Dockyard on Saturday to record their Salute to the '40s Event. Among the reenactors were these photographers and a very extrovert rope seller. There did seem to be a bit of puzzlement as to how to use the old camera equipment especially the light meter.

Chatham Dockyard Architecture

The heavy overcast conditions were not the best to record inside the amazing Rope Walk Building.
The ropewalk at Chatham Dockyard is still producing rope commercially and has an internal length of 1,135 ft (346 m). When it was constructed in 1790, it was the longest brick building in Europe. Before steam power was introduced in 1836, it took over 200 men to form and close a 20-inch (circumference) cable laid rope. The rope walk is used to form and close the rope, these being the final stages in rope making. Before this the raw hemp, manila hemp or sisal has to be hatchelled, spun into yarn, and tarred.

 The Royal Dockyard Church, dating from the early 19th Century, was designed by Edward Holl and built largely by the dockyard's own workforce. The last service took place in December 1981.

The large building near the entrance is one of Britain’s architectural gems with its impressive wooden ceiling. When built in 1838 this immense covered slip was Europe’s largest wide span timber structure. 

Iceland Revisited

 I have had a week processing photos rather than taking them as I needed to produce some prints for the Permajet Lecturers' Exibition at Smethwick. I can't, unfortunately, make the Lecture day itself (Sunday 5th October) as I am judging Kingston Camera Club Annual Exhibition that weekend.