Hellebores in Winter Sun

 We took the opportunity a couple of days ago of a walk in the sun across the fields to Caldecote church with its wonderful garden. The Hellebores are looking great (Helleborus foetidus and H. niger) and I was surprised the number of insects sheltering (?feeding) in the flowers.

Cyanotypes and Trees

Projects often don't work out the way I planned but sometimes the results can be just as interesting as a 'success' would have been.  I printed the tree outlines on what I thought was ink-jet compatible film but discovered it was not stable or solid enough to act as a mask when exposing a cyanotype-coated paper to the light. However the exposed cyanotype before removing the film and washing the print proved an excellent starting point for further manipulations in the computer. Different papers, exposure time and types of light have created variations and combining some with negatives of the tree images has furthered the variation.

Toft Firelight and Carols

Tonight's firelight and Carols was very well supported with around 100 people (plus dogs) spacing themselves out around a fire listening to a Brass quintet, hearing varied readings and singing carols. 

West Stowe Country Park

We took a walk round West Stowe Country Park yesterday in very dull lighting. The Greylag and Canada geese entertained us; I was interested how similar the plumage was between the two species. The area of the bird feeders was very dark so the shutterspeeds were slow and ISO high. One Bluetit had a very interesting eye abnormality. Great to see Coal and Marsh tits together.

Redwings etc at Paxton Pits

Very enjoyable walk at Paxton Pits today where the star performers were the Redwings plucking and swallowing berries. Bluetits were also feasting on the berries while Goldfinches seemed to be pecking at galls on the willows. Strange rook with white feathers on the flanks.

Historic and Recent Shots from Oxford/Cambridge Railway Line

 When I first moved to Toft, the railway line between Oxford and Cambridge was still running. It started to run in 1862 and closed in 1968. The Track lifting began on 13th August 1968. The second image was taken in around 1969/70 showing the track bed. The path of the railway is now almost completely lost - the first image shows was where the railway ran under the road - the bridge still exists but no sign of the track. However, Google Earth map from 2020 (a dry summer) shows the track clearly across the field (also comparison with 1945). Fifth image again from 1969/70 was where the track ran through a more wooded area and is compared to the present view. The last views are along by the golf course as the track headed towards Lord's Bridge - our local station.

River Cam, Cambridge

A second set of misty images from a morning walk in Cambridge, There were lots of boats of various types out on the Cam. The young man in the fifth image managed to capsize and had to be helped out of the icy water. There were a couple of Boxers sparring on Jesus Green and a very close Heron (shot with a 55mm lens) - perhaps a bit disorientated in the mist.