Witnessing a Crime

 While driving back to Toft along the Hardwick Road, I saw two cars driving quite fast along the Drift (footpath) from the end of Mill Lane. One was parked and someone got out, set fire to the car and then was driven off fast in the second car. We watched the rest of the drama unfold as the firemen arrived and dowsed the fire. Not heard any further news of whether they caught the people - someone had managed to record the number of the second car. I especially liked the one with all the sparks.

Burwash Manor Farm

 A trip to Burwash Manor Farm for CCC to attempt to photograph the flying Dragons. Very few in focus shots but liked these Common Darters and Emperor Dragonfly. First image shows the abundant Chicory that grows around the farm.

Ely Cathedral - Infrared

A few infrared images from Ely Cathedral.

Two Weddings, Two Venues and Two Big Problems

During July, I have photographed two weddings both at local 'stately' halls and both on hot sunny days. This gave problems of contrast and,yesterday, problems of keeping cool enough to get the groups together. The first was at Longstowe Hall, where the gardens are magnifcent, especially the herbaceous borders, the lake and the rose garden. 

The second was at Anstey Hall, which has the advantages of location being right next to Trumpington Church. 

Both weddings involved large numbers of guests and therefore a challenge for the group photos, solved yesterday by standing on a balcony above the gardens.

If you were a guest at either of the wedding and wish to see all the photos, email me the names of the bride and groom to get the right wedding!!

Museum of Cambridge

I spent a couple of hours on Tuesday morning photographing some of the objects at the Museum of Cambridge (formally the Folk Museum). They wanted various cameos to illustrate their leaflet on forthcoming events: Discoveries in the Home, the Fens, Childhood and the Victorians among others.

Fritillaries still Active at Gamlingay

There are still lots of Silver-Washed Fritillaries in Gamlingay Woods though they are beginning to look a bit tatty. However, there was lots of courtship going on and scent distribution. The rides look wonderful with a mixture of Purple Loosestrife and Meadow Sweet. We had the usual problems identifying whites but I think these are Green-veined White and Large White. It was a first sighting for us of Marbled White there. Lots of Meadow Browns and Peacocks.

Paxton Pits

 Very hot and humid day for a visit to Paxton Pits. There was very little activity on the lakes except for a pair Great Crested Grebes that flew after each other across the water, attempting to escape from their vociferous offspring. Gatekeeper and Brimstone butterflies and Banded Demoiselles kept us happy until the heat got too much (33 degrees on car thermometer).