Wengen - First Morning

The red glow in the sky suggested there might be rain on the way but time before breakfast for a dry walk round the village and look back on our hotel. Serin was singing on a wire and the Green Chafer Beetle was just waking up. Wonderful smell from the hay stooks obviously enjoyed by one of the many Black Redstarts. By the time we had breakfasted, the rain arrived but it proved to be showery so didn't prevent us enjoying a ride up to Mannlichen and the walk to Kleine Scheidegg - see next post.

Luton to Wengen, Switzerland

Arrived in Wengen at 4pm local time having left Luton at 7am. Great views of the Alps as we landed at Geneva and then the long train journey to Wengen. Time for a quick local at the meadow life before dinner and a walk to the viewpoint as the light faded. Now all we need is our luggage - very frustrating as we paid extra for same day Fly rail. Long-horned beetle looks like Stictoleptura rubra

Marbled Whites Are Back

Last year we first saw the Marbled Whites in our local wood on 28th June - this year 27th June so very consistent emergence date. The clearing in the centre of the wood was alive with males last evening getting a last feed on the clover before roosting. The grass is very high so difficult to get clear backgrounds but lovely to see them in their pristine condition. Lots of similarly newly emerged Meadow Browns.

Kingston Reserve, Cambridgeshire

The meadow is at its best with numerous flower species including large number of Pyramidal Orchids at the moment, several butterflies including Common Blues and Large Skippers, Banded Demoiselles and numerous other insects. Still practising with Fuji kit - (50-140 with 1.4 extender and 50mm Touit). Note for next session - try with larger aperture for long lens (these shot with f22 not ideal for non-macro lens)

Red Hat Society at Tea for Cambridge Roar

Yesterday a large number of ladies from the Red Hat Societies in the area attended a Charity Tea Party run by Cambridge Roar, who are holding a week of events to raise money for charities. Red was definitely the theme of the afternoon - you will even spot a red Canon camera in one shot.

 

   

Testing Macro Kit for Switzerland

 Although the Canon 5D mkiii with Canon 100 mm macro with small flash is an excellent combination for macro photography and served me well in Sardinia, it is heavy to transport and carry. I also no longer have a general purpose lens for the Canon. As I replaced the stolen Canon gear with a range of Fuji lenses, I have been testing to see if I would prefer to take just Fuji to Wengen. I want to be able to carry a long lens for distant insects etc and a closer macro. The first five images are with the Zeiss 50mm Touit lens and in-camera flash with the XT-10. The 6th is with the 40-150mm alone on the XT-1 and the last two with the 1.4 times converter added (with external flash gun). Taken in the evening so ISO3200 for first few. Flash OK as long as not directly onto background!