Pasque Flowers Beginning at Royston Heath

The Pasque flowers are just beginning to flower - a bit later than some years but will probably be best around Easter as their name suggests. They are very short so quite a challenge to photograph plus a stiff breeze today. Most are Focus stacks using Fuji X100V and Raynox 250 close-up lens. I find this a very useful high quality combination for flower photography. We found one very small bee - a Lasioglossum species

UV Photography: Lichens and Spider

There are quite a few scientific studies on the UV-screening chemicals in lichen which absorb UV light and then emit it at a different wavelength. The interest varies from a pure research level to document the occurrence, to more practical application such as aids to ID of lichens and as possible help in the production of effective human UV sunscreens, important as our radiation levels increase. I photographed some of the lichens I collected locally and at Paxton Pits to monitor the variations in intensity and colours. I also photographed some spiders that were living in the lichens along with abundant Collembolids (too small for the lens I was using), This spider is a female Misumena vatia

 

Paxton Pits Snow, Ice and Birds

With the Pits themselves  frozen, the water birds have congregated by the river, while smaller birds are struggling to find food in the snow covered vegetation. Only the Heron remained on Hernonry South Lake. The Barn Owl was out quartering around midday while the Goldcrest was tirelessly hunting on the river bank. Bright sunny day so the views were magical with the ice patterns and frost on top of snow

Winter in Hardwick Wood Project

Last year, I took a lot of photos of lichens, mosses and fungi during the winter months and I hope to extend this project over the upcoming months. I was amazed by the abundance of fungi of all types in the wood yesterday from several types of Mycena to Club fungi, slime moulds, jelly fungi, ink caps etc. Here a few quick shots - I must go back soon with a good tripod and lighting to do them justice. 

Jelly, Curtain and Bracket Fungi From Sandy Bedfordshire

Beautiful sunlight for macro photography at Sandy RSPB grounds yesterday and a good selection of the small fungi and mosses to explore with a close-up filter on my Fuji 23mm compact camera. This combination is very sharp and at F16 gives sufficient detail in the subject plus some separation. Except on the Candlesnuff fungus, I didn't notice all the dew drops when taking the photos!! Neither did I spot the small beetle in the second image.