Gamlingay Fungi - Improving Technique But.......

I am still practising with the Fuji gear to perfect Macro images; a visit to Gamlingay Woods afforded some opportunities to practise. There was a lovely clump of Porcelain Fungi on a fallen branch and one group of Shaggy Parasols. These were the only fungi found except for the small fruiting bodies under the bark. Used a tripod so better on sharpness this time but omitted to notice camera set on 3200 iso after indoor shots until halfway through. Surprised how noise-free they are considering!

Colourful World of Spiders

On Sunday, as well as a good selection of fungi, we spent time photographing two very small spiders - Tetragnatha extensa (brown on the left) and Diaea dorsata (the Green Crab Spider) hiding in the leaves of an oak tree. It was quite dull light by then and they are very small so a big challenge not totally met for sharpness but I do like the colours and, particularly, the way the eyes are shown. I confirmed ID of the brown one by its eye pattern but I liked the goggle eyes of the crab spider best.

Fungi at Santon Downham

Some of the very numerous fungi at Santon Downham today. The first three photos show the effectx of using 50mm macro, 24mm  and 10mm lenses. The showery weather hampered us a bit though it will ensure a good supply of fungi for the next few days. 8 Members of CCC happily played arounf at ground level for the day.

Hamerton Zoo

We decided to visit Hamerton Zoo yesterday as it was a pretty dull and grey day which would make wild bird photography difficult. Hamerton has improved the facilities for  Cats with larger enclosures all of whom looked very lean and content. It would be great if small zoos like this could concentrate only on some families as I don't find the facilities for the lemurs, monkeys etc so pleasing but unforutnately to get funding for their conservation breeding programmes they need to attract a wide public.

 

Ivy Flowers in Toft Cambridgeshire

After a lean time with very few insects around most of August and September, there has been an increase in the numbers and varieties of insects in our village this week with the ivy flowers in full bloom. Very difficult to photograph as the shiny leaves reflect any sunlight as in the first photo of Myathropea flavea. Loads of Harlequin ladybirds (an invasive species that has displaced our native ladybird in some location - comes in many different guises hence the name) with still some larvae around. Also immature Green Shieldbug.

Epping Forest Trees and Fungi

Autumn is certainly running late this year with the trees still fully green and very few fungi around. It was very bright and sunny yesterday for my walk in Epping Forest before returning home after lecturing to Chingford PS  (thanks for your warm welcome). So a few creative attempts plus the only two fungi species that I was able to photograph