Frost at Madingley War Cemetery Cambridgeshire

Frosty misty morning ideal for a trip to the American War Cemetery (decided better than waiting in the traffic queue on Madingley Hill). Decided to try photographing as much as possible into the light and pleased with the results. Last two had the camera on one of the 'advanced' settings - Soft focus.

When the Cam Froze in Cambridge 25 years Ago

With the recent cold spell and now the very wet conditions, I was interested to come across, while scanning slides, these images taken in extreme weather of previous years. The Big Freeze of January - February 1991, when the Cam remained frozen for 3 full weeks. 

Over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of October 2001, the southern half of East Anglia was drenched by over a month's worth of rain in a few hours. Over the next few days much of this water made its way into the River Cam, and started flooding areas in the centre of Cambridge.

Hatfield Forest, Snowy Carpet and Winter Sun

 Yesterday's snow did not stay around long but Hatfield Forest looked at its best with carpets of white against autumn leaves.

 

Botanic Gardens, Cambridge

I have recently bought a new head for my tripod and wanted to test it out with my Fuji cameras so a few images from the Botanics yesterday. Mainly cloudy but some bright intervals and definite spring heralds with the snowdrops and green helleborines. The 50-140 lens is a bit heavy for the lightweight head but probably ok if used on the lens collar.

Experiments in Portrait Lighting

A very interesting evening at CCC Portrait Group - my first visit to the group in a lot of years in the club. We were using mannequins rather than live models and I found it fascinating how just small changes in the light source, positioning of the model and, even, mode used in the camera (I had a film simulation on by mistake at some stage) affected the outcome. Certainly helped me appreciate the skills required on this genre a little more. Many thanks Clive for all the hard work that goes into such evenings.

Goosanders at Paxton Pits

Now the ice has gone from the first pit at Paxton, the Goosanders, Gadwall, Pochard and Teal have returned there. Female Goosander performed a couple of close swim pasts; most other birds were at quite a distance.

Konig Ponies and Raptors at Wicken Fen

Very dull light yesterday afternoon for CCC walk at Wicken Fen. We were hoping for Barn Owls and Hen Harriers to photograph but these were only seen after the light had fallen too low. So here the beautiful Konig ponies. I have left in the recorded white balance as this is as I would portray them in watercolours using sienna and ultramarine. Lots of Kestrels and Marsh Harriers but all rather distant.