Rutland Water - Great Birdwatching Site But.........

It is many years since we visited Rutland Water for bird watching and were impressed at the changes they have made to the reserve at Egleton. We walked round lagoons 1-4 and, in addition to hundreds of the common duck species, saw Red Crested Pochard and American Widgeon. There were lots of Little Egrets and 6 Great Egrets (juvenile with yellow beak shown here) and a Bittern on constant display in the reeds). However, it was all at a great distance other than this Blackbird gorging himself on Berries, a Heron and a Cormorant.

For Members of the Concrete Appreciation Group - Northampton

I spent a happy morning photographing the many concrete structures still left in Northampton - here a few to start the homage! (images updated from laptop version)

People and Panoramas

I only had a 50mm lens with me yesterday for my walk round Northampton so quite a number of images that I wanted could only be captured by taking more than one shot and doing a panorama in Lightroom - for instance the first image is to horizontal shots put together as in perspective mode - impressed that LR can do such a good job of the task

 

Paxton Pits Cambridgeshire

Not a lot to photograph this morning at Paxton and light poor so some photos at 3200 ISO but still enjoyed recording Dunnock, vocal Heron, Grey Wagtail, two Hoverflies, a Waxcap and Gadwall and Teal ducks.

Stretham Autograss - Oh For a Step!

One of those occasions where I wished I was taller as there was nowhere at Stretham where I could get enough elevation to avoid the ropes and posts. Fun day trying panning but, as expected, the best and sharpest results always had too-prominent posts!

Infrared Views of Toft Church with Sony RX100

I decided that, as I enjoy infrared photography very much but my Canon-converted camera is too heavy for travel, I would have my Sony converted for travel (I now have a lightweight CSC camera and lens for street and travel photography). I am pleased with the conversion though, as expected, there is a slight hot spot (lighter area in centre of frame) even at lower apertures. This is not noticeable in monochrome and can be processed out easily in the colour conversions. By making a custom camera profile, I have achieved a colour combination that I like so generally a thumbs up for the conversion. Monochromes are reminiscent of the effects I liked with IR Film but also could work  with more contrast.

Cambs Photography Event - Portraits

I was a bit outside my normal photography space but enjoyed the challenge of yesterday's event. Lots of models and scenarios to explore on a rather wet and dull day. Used various camera techniques including modes on the Fuji start the creative process. A few close-up portraits first before we meet a few weird characters in the woods

 

Two New Species in Toft, Cambridgeshire - Global Warming Effects?

 The hornet (Vespa crabro) is a big cousin of the wasp, and has become more common in the UK possibly due to global warming.  This is my first photograph taken Toft though have sighted it before. Definitely a new invader that is spreading north very quickly is the Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae).This bee was first recorded in the UK in 2001, it has now been found in much of southern England and Wales and in the Channel Islands.   

There is a mapping project for this - http://www.bwars.com/content/colletes-hederae-mapping-project.