Barton Dragonfly Pools

A first visit this year to the pools - very different water levels in each pool to previous year - some deeper some shallower. Recorded three dragonflies - Emperor and Migrant Hawker shown here plus Brown Hawker movig much too fast. Also Buzzards, roesel's Cricket and two Grasshopper species to be identified. all with Fuji 50-140mm lens plus extension ring for the static subjects.

Cambridge in the Summer Sun

Bill and Barbara had a perfect summer's day on Friday for their visit to Cambridge and King's college Chapel looked at its best now the organ restoration is complete. The other chapel show in Clare - the simplicity such a contrast to King's.

6.30 am Sunday Morning Transformation

My early morning activity today - we want to be Butterfly and a Cheetah Not sure you would guess without the prompt but it was early. The delights of sharing the house with a 6 and 4 year old.

Ely Cathedral

I very much enjoyed showing Bill and Barbara around Ely on Thursday - always good to have visitors who appreciate places. A few shots from the trip - the exteriors show how the light can change within an hour or so. Interior panorama is 16 shots. Images taken through the ceiling mirror - first one 15mm fisheye, next two 10mm lens. All handheld - some at 1/6th second so not critically sharp but amazing what modern cameras can do (Fuji-XT10)

Hitchin Lavender Farm

The lavender is just about over but the sunflower field is in full bloom. I spent most of the time on our sunset visit to Hitchin Lavender in the sunflower field where the challenge was to find a good arrangement. As darkness came, the sunflowers glowed and make great monochrome subjects while the lavender fields turned a blueish purple - last image shot at iso6400.

 

Tom Denny Stained Glass Hereford Cathedral

I was very taken with these stained glass windows celebrating the life of John Traherne,  an English poet, clergyman, theologian and religious writer born in c.1636. The windows are by Tom Denny, an artist who has produced windows for several other cathedrals including Durham and Leicester. His windows are noted for the distinctive way in which light and colour move across the surface. He achieves this effect by acid etching and silver staining each small piece of glass. The reflections in the last two images from Hereford recalled stained glass to me.

Abbey Dore, Herefordshire

Abbey Dore is the only former Cistercian Abbey still used for worship as a parish church though much of the Abbey has been demolished. Founded in 1147, used by Cistercian Monks in the 13th and14th century, it is a very impressive structure with lots of interesting features and preserved stone carvings. Enjoyed the challenge of a 280 degree panorama and some moody monochrome conversions.