Sharpenhoe Refracted in Raindrops

After all the recent hot sunny days - perfect for Butterflies - the day of our RPS visit to Sharpenhoe to photograph ChalkHill Blues etc dawned wet and windy. Although it didn't rain during our time there, it was dull and breezy. There were a few insects to be found, often roosting and cover in rain drops like this Burnet moth (more to follow). The image of the Knapweed set me off exploring how the world is seen through raindrops, which act as tiny lenses. Here are a few offerings.

 

Cambridge in the Summer Heat

Yesterday, the temperature in Cambridge was around 30 degrees but this didn't deter the visitors enjoying the City and recording themselves in all the favourite spots. Newton's apple tree outside Trinity is obviously on the 'places to see' for many visitors who come equipped with an apple for the classic image. I was using a manual-focus Olympus lens on my Fuji so success was a bit limited but the 1.8 aperture gave pleasing results when focused right.

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Sharpenhoe Clappers (National Trust)

Today was really too hot to go chasing after butterflies and walking over open downland, but we needed to visit Sharpenhoe Clappers to plan an RPS day there on Sunday. The beech hangers looked great in the dappled sunlight with every shade of green in the foliage. Quick snaps of Chalkhill Blues and Dark Green Fritillary and flowers using a fish eye to give a feeling of the setting complete the 'snaps' in preparation for the weekend.

Creative Flower Shots

I am still trying different lens combinations and settings to produce different types of flower images. Here using Olympus lens mostly at f1.8 with extension ring to get closer giving soft images with just a small plane of focus. Processed to emphasis the soft diffuse nature of the images. The geranium seed head was taken at F16 and F4.

 

  

Evening Flying at Shuttleworth

We were lucky to have great skies for the display at Shuttleworth yesterday evening. Too much wind to fly some of the lighter planes but very enjoyable event. Here just a selection from the displays.