Wildflower Project 1

One of my projects this year is to photograph all the wildflowers growing in my garden (and aroundthe village) in Toft, Cambridgeshire. Here is the first batch - all from the garden. (Dog violet, Cowslip, Primrose, Celandine, Herb Robert, Groundsel, Cow Parsley, Woodruff, Greater Stitchwort, Bluebell)

 

"Little Things ........" Project

At our April CC workshop, we discussed making miniature landscapes given that we cannot travel during the crisis. Here is one attempt using blue crystals that we had grown last year, some miniature figures and a backdrop of an ice cave from Iceland - one of my all-time favourite experiences. Two different techniques - first is taken at F16 and second is a focus stack of 25 images at F2.8 plus one at F16 - surprised it would stack them but has resulted in just the right amount of background detail but good separation from background. Ssome post-taking Photoshop work on the costumes!

Our Shopping Area Under Lockdown

Although, we can do most of our shopping at our village shop, we do have to visit Cambourne for some amenities occasionally.  The town was deserted other than a queue at the chemist, everyone keeping more than the required separation, and the supermarket with arrangements for one-way flow. Otherwise, the food outlets are all preorder take-aways, the church, schools, play areas and even the clothes bank are closed.

Eyed Hawk Moth

Last summer we fed up some Eyed Hawth moth caterpillars until they pupated. This week the first moth emerged. (Focus stack 25 images f2.8)

Yellow Fields and Blue Sky

The predominant colours of our views on our local walks have slowly changed over the 3 weeks of lockdown from green to yellow as the rape has come into flower together with masses of dandelions.

Progress (?) on Capturing Insects in Flight

I am still perservering with capturing the many hovering insects in the garden at the moment. The Bee flies are the easiest to photograph as they are inquisitive and will come progressively closer. These are taken at 1/1000th second for the first three images 1/4000th for the next four with the last one at 1/250th; all with flash (separate flash gun on camera). The shutterspeed is not making that difference - more the angle at which the wings are caught as they are relatively slower as they rotate past the midpoint and at the extreme points of the figure of eight.

Bluebell Time in Hardwick Wood

I am so lucky that my local walking area includes a large woodland area, at this time, a carpet of bluebells. There are a few Early Spotted Orchids in flower among the bluebells.