Madingley Hall Infrared

I have the use of a set of screw-on infrared filters for my X100V and yesterday experimented with the 850nm one having found the 680nm one didn't give a very strong effect (Ann Miles Blog: Experimenting with 'Infrared' Filters (pin-sharp.blogspot.com). The 850nm meant long exposures (up to 6 seconds) but does give a true infrared look on a light cloud/sunny interval day like yesterday. Images 3 and 4 shows the raw file from the camera and its monochrome conversion.

Rutland Water Insects

A rather chilly day at Rutland Water yesterday for the RPS Nature Group outing but brief sunny intervals gave opportunities for insect photography. I was mainly using my X100V with close-up filter giving insect plus habitat information and very sharp subjects. In comparison, image 3 was taken with a 560mm equivalent telephoto - shallower depth of field and narrower field of view.

Pocket Camera in Cambridge

I tested a very small Sony camera that a neighbour passed on to me as it is somewhat faulty after getting very dusty so the zoom mechanism is unreliable. It has a 20X optical and 40X with digital zoom. Only takes jpegs but the quality is amazingly good even zoomed in as far as the 'dust' will allow (images 3/4 and 5/6 are zoomed out and in respectively). 

Orchid Pollination

This Swollen-thighed female beetle has collected a large number of pollinia during its visit to Twayblade orchids and is having distinct trouble holding its head up! Also photographed at a local reserve -  Common Spotted Orchids, Roman snail and Tortoiseshell butterfly

 

Good Year for Man Orchids

 The Man Orchids at our local site are at their best at the moment. They are relatively short but in quite large clumps. It was quite breezy today so they deserve another visit this year along with the Common Spotted Orchids and Twayblades.

Azaleas at Leith Place, Surrey (National Trust)

The Azaleas were in full bloom at Leith Place on Sunday - a wonderful display but very difficult to capture on a very bright day. Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron family so all azaleas are rhododendrons but not all rhododendrons are Azaleas. Most Azaleas are deciduous, while most Rhododendrons are evergreen. Azaleas have tubular or funnel shaped flowers; Rhododendrons  are more bell shaped.