Sunday 30 August 2009

Lapwing


A chiaroscuro of one of my favourite birds, with lovely iridescence on the wing.

Saturday 29 August 2009

Stone Age Electrician


A combination of textures, colour and era seen in sculptor John McGill's garden. I didn't notice the dragonfly on the statue's head at the time.

Canon Can


An amusing photo opportunity at the preserved prefab at Duxford.

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Twiggy 2


Time for a change from black and white to .. er.. black and white (with a touch of red). This bird deserves the 'twiggy' title more than our kindling-collecting kite. Aerial elegance.

Sunday 23 August 2009

Thursday 20 August 2009

Miner's Bedroom, Blaenavon


This view is from the miners' cottages at the Ironworks Museum at Blaenavon.

Wednesday 19 August 2009

kite art


This is one answer to the question of what to do with the less well-focussed pictures.

Monday 17 August 2009

Nora No.5


Nora is one of the exhibits at the Big Pit Museum at Blaenavon, where black and white was again suitable. Not so suitable was a photograph of Margaret Thatcher under a sign saying 'Mines Rescue Service'.

Twiggy


Another of the snaps of this handsome bird. We were spoiled for photographic opportunities, and I remembered my 1982 trip to mid-Wales with Gerry Cotter where we had a only a couple of sightings of far-away kites.

Friday 14 August 2009

Dudley scene


The broad streets of Dudley town centre have more than their share of empty shops.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Blue Sky Buzzard


This is a dream image for a bird photographer - beautifully-marked buzzard, every feather, leg and eye sharp. Mid-Wales, 300mm lens, 1/2500th sec. at f/9.

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Red Kite


After yesterday's rain at the Black Mountain Kite Site, today brought better light. The sky was full of thermalling kites and buzzards, but we had to wait more than two hours from the official feeding time before the birds came down, and by then everybody else had gone. Autofocus worked better when the kites came towards the camera and were big in the frame.

Sunday 9 August 2009

Black and white cows


After using a DSLR for ages, I discovered that you can take photos in black and white. And add filtration. So I chose a suitable subject. The oil refinery in the background is at Rhoscrowther.

Sparrowhawk


While photographing peregrines and kestrels on Ramsey Island, a sparrowhawk appeared and hung in the updraft long enough to be snapped. No idea what it was doing there - it's a woodland bird and there wasn't a single tree or even a bush on the island.

Friday 7 August 2009

Museum of Speed


Parry-Thomas's restored car 'Babs' at the museum overlooking Pendine Sands, where the speed records were made.

Wednesday 5 August 2009

Catching Kittiwakes in Flight


While fishing off Mumbles Pier, this young fisherman caught a kittiwake flying past. Ann held the bird while two fishermen untangled the line and the cross bird flew off unharmed.

Tuesday 4 August 2009

Kittiwake Capers


This juvenile kittiwake was refused permission to land back on Mumbles Pier by the older generation.

Monday 3 August 2009

Ann in cafe


For two days now I've been reminded to get out of the 180 degree view of her fisheye lens, so I took this flattering pic of her with it, but as usual it turned out nice again! Barry Island.

Saturday 1 August 2009

Stuffed Crufts


Surprisingly real toys from Crufts 2009