Cumulus Clouds at Strethall

There have been some fabulous cloud formations in the last three days so I thought it time to give the infrared camera an outing. The last image is processed in Silver Efex to show the detail that it brings out of cloud structures.

Meerkats and Red Kites

The three Red Kites that visited Hamerton Zoo yesterday for their tea did not go unoticed by the Meerkats who watched their every move. The kites swooped down and removed a chick from the large stork enclosure. 

Big Cats and Small fox

Hamerton Zoo has recently acquired two more white Bengal tigers and they are in tip top condition. The Cheetahs have great pens with long grass to hide in and bushes to shelter under. The Corsac foxes are growing their long winter coats. 

Aggression at the Bird Feeder

We have numerous greenfinches and goldfinches in the garden at the feeders so thought would try to get a set up for photographing them fighting. These were taken  through an open window with 300mm lens mostly at 2.8 as it was a dull day. With the birds moderately close, there is insufficient depth of field at 2.8 (all except 2nd image which was 4.5) so will have to think again about placing the camera. I do like the first one showing a very feisty goldfinch seeing off a much larger greenfinch.

Sunrise at Richmond Park

We were so lucky with perfect weather this morning for our early visit to Richmond Park - clear skies, mist and frost. Plenty of rutting Red Deer with decorated antlers and lots of bellowing. There were also some herds of Fallow Deer. With the thick mist, we thought we were on our own photographing a large Red Stag until it moved towards us followed by over a dozen photographers!! 

A few more images are on My Website

Evening Light at Richmond

Clear golden evening light of Saturday after the rain cleared presented ideal conditions for a bit of Red Deer photography at Richmond Park. I was using the Sony RX100 so pleased with the photos that I achieved with this compact.

Barking New and Old

I had a spare hour or so before talking at Barking Photographic Society, so I stopped in the town and had a browse round the Shopping Centre. Vicarage Field was opened in 1990 and has the usual mix of escalators and a splendid roof. The third and fourth images show the difference that an hour can make at twilight to images. Even in a busy shopping centre there is often a quiet spot to read.

 Barking PS holds its meeting in an Elizabethan Manor House which is managed by the National Trust and open Monday-Thursdays. It was dark by the time I got there so this is a stock photo of the building. Thanks to the club for making me very welcome in this splendid venue.

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.