08 September 2013
Sunday - Stop Mucking about
Isle of Muck
An hour & a half trip to the Isle of Muck. One of the smaller Inner Hebrides. We were dropped off at the pier and headed inland. Being a Sunday the tea Shop was closed, and the island very quiet.
Walked around to Gannach and beyond to the renovated stone cottage with turf roof and the shell beaches (beaches which are covered in small shells). Spent plenty of time taking scenic shots of the views across to Eigg and Rum. On the way back we headed across to the beach on the South side, a scenic spot, but just like any other beach, it was heavily littered with plastic washed in from the sea. There were bottles, crates and even traffic bollards!
After a few abortive attempts for a short cut back we returned to Gannach and then on the road back to the boat for a cuppa and the journey back to Doune.
Dinner
Peanut Homus
Venison Salami
Sherry Trifle
End of the first day.
Breakfast at 8 in the lounge car, much like a aircraft meal but with better scenery! The train arrived on time at Fort William which left just over two hours to spend in town before the 12:12 train to Mallaig. Wandered along the high street and bought a few bits in Mountain Warehouse. Two pairs of Merino socks on two for one offer and a head torch, bargain! Then had a coffee and flapjack in Ossains, where I had lunch in 2010.
It was noticeable how many shops had gone out of business since my last visit.
Back to the station and retrieved luggage from the left luggage lockers. Once the train came in found Abby and Tina and in bright sunshine we made the trip to Mallaig; along the world's most scenic railway route.
Once in town had lunch (Haddock in Oats and Breadcrumb, with chips and peas) in the Steam Inn.
After lunch we bumped into our skipper and slowly the group congregated by the Mary Doune.
At about 5 PM we headed on the 15 minute trip from Maillaig to Doune.
Dinner
Beetroot & tomato soup
Poached salmon
Chocolate Orange pudding
It was noticeable how many shops had gone out of business since my last visit.
Back to the station and retrieved luggage from the left luggage lockers. Once the train came in found Abby and Tina and in bright sunshine we made the trip to Mallaig; along the world's most scenic railway route.
Once in town had lunch (Haddock in Oats and Breadcrumb, with chips and peas) in the Steam Inn.
After lunch we bumped into our skipper and slowly the group congregated by the Mary Doune.
At about 5 PM we headed on the 15 minute trip from Maillaig to Doune.
Dinner
Beetroot & tomato soup
Poached salmon
Chocolate Orange pudding
05 February 2013
ACC Q1 DPI
Ashford Camera Club Projected Images for 2013, Quarter One
I have submitted two images one general and one nature.
The general image was taken on a boat trip on the Thames in Summer 2012, it was a lovely day with great company. The food was good too!
The nature picture is of an Egyptian Goose taken at the WWT centre in Barnes, London.
I have submitted two images one general and one nature.
The general image was taken on a boat trip on the Thames in Summer 2012, it was a lovely day with great company. The food was good too!
The nature picture is of an Egyptian Goose taken at the WWT centre in Barnes, London.
11 November 2012
Sunny Morning in Stroude
A very sunny Sunday so I went for a walk around Stroude to catch some late autumn colour. The walk was quite successful and along the way I spotted Roe Deer, a fox, green woodpecker and red kite.
I was using a wide angle lens so the wildlife had to take second place to the landscape and trees.
The slight frost overnight left a lot of dew on the grass and undergrowth. This did make the ground very wet underfoot so wellies and waterproof trousers were needed.
The shot I had in mind at this location didn't quite work out as the sun was in the wrong position. Looking at the map I don't think it would ever be right unless the sun rises in the North! It still made a pleasing picture.
The colours of the leaves had lost some of their early autumn punch but the clear blue sky did allow for good colour contrast.
Under the tree canopy I looked for fungi but there were very few to be seen. NOt to be outdone I took this shot looking back toward the sun.
As the morning warmed up I noticed lots of dragonflies pairing up and darting about the waters edge. They were moving very quickly so were had to get in frame, here is one of the better shots. Looking online they seem likely to be Ruddy Darter!
As I was about to put the camera away and head home I spotted a Red Kite circling above.
All in all a most pleasant walk on a warm, sunny Sunday.
I was using a wide angle lens so the wildlife had to take second place to the landscape and trees.
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| Sparkling dew |
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| Still reflection |
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| Yellow on Blue |
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| Shady Birch Trees |
As the morning warmed up I noticed lots of dragonflies pairing up and darting about the waters edge. They were moving very quickly so were had to get in frame, here is one of the better shots. Looking online they seem likely to be Ruddy Darter!
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| Ruddy Darters |
As I was about to put the camera away and head home I spotted a Red Kite circling above.
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| Red Kite |
All in all a most pleasant walk on a warm, sunny Sunday.
19 October 2012
Deer Rut in Richmond Park
Deer rut in Richmond Park - An Iain Green Photography day. http://www.naturebygreen.com/
Following on the training days I have done at WWT Barnes with Iain Green I decided to go to one of the guided days in Richmond Park to photograph the deer rut. This is a regular event run by Iain and one of his photos from here features on the cover of his book. (Which incidentally I won in the intermediate photography day last year).
We a group of four and Iain) met at 07:45 on a dull day and immediately saw a small herd of red deer with a large stag keeping order. There was a minor challenge from a smaller stag but a few bellows and a trot towards him from the 'boss' soon put paid to that. The London skyline was just about visible but it was quite murky.
The morning brightened slightly but the skies remained overcast and later on the rain returned. Despite this there were plenty of deer to see and much bellowing echoing across the park.
There was plenty of autumn colour in the trees and bracken, it just needed a bright blue sky to really make the colours stand out.
As the light was low I took advantage of the longer shutter speed to try a zoom burst of the leaves.
We came across several types of fungi were growing up in the grass and dead tree trunks.
The walk finished at 2 P.M. and shortly after that the rain really came down hard so I was glad to be back in the car.
Following on the training days I have done at WWT Barnes with Iain Green I decided to go to one of the guided days in Richmond Park to photograph the deer rut. This is a regular event run by Iain and one of his photos from here features on the cover of his book. (Which incidentally I won in the intermediate photography day last year).
We a group of four and Iain) met at 07:45 on a dull day and immediately saw a small herd of red deer with a large stag keeping order. There was a minor challenge from a smaller stag but a few bellows and a trot towards him from the 'boss' soon put paid to that. The London skyline was just about visible but it was quite murky.
The morning brightened slightly but the skies remained overcast and later on the rain returned. Despite this there were plenty of deer to see and much bellowing echoing across the park.
There was plenty of autumn colour in the trees and bracken, it just needed a bright blue sky to really make the colours stand out.
As the light was low I took advantage of the longer shutter speed to try a zoom burst of the leaves.
We came across several types of fungi were growing up in the grass and dead tree trunks.
The walk finished at 2 P.M. and shortly after that the rain really came down hard so I was glad to be back in the car.
02 October 2012
Ashford Camera Club AGM 2012
The ACC AGM took place on 2nd October. Along with the usual AGM business the themed competition was held. The theme, set at last year's AGM, was Red. Everyone can submit up to four pictures and members vote for their favourites using tokens.
I submitted four pictures this year.
The first was a Guelder Rose berry taken at the London WWT centre at Barnes.
The next two were taken on Brownsea Island. The first is one of the mad chickens (they run right up to you and then slowly strut along in front whilst making low, slightly menacing, chicken calls.
There were a lot of photos submitted (all as prints) and the votes were well spread. I received a vote for Chicken Stare and Guelder Rose berry. The winning print was of the Field of Rememberance focussing on just the crosses and dominant red poppies.
Next year's theme is Humour.
I submitted four pictures this year.
The first was a Guelder Rose berry taken at the London WWT centre at Barnes.
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| Guelder Rose |
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| Chicken Stare |
The third pictures is of a Red squirrel feeding at the National Trust feeder on Brownsea Island.
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| Red Squirrel |
and finally, some Chinese Lanterns from Chinese New Year in London.
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| Chinese Lanterns |
There were a lot of photos submitted (all as prints) and the votes were well spread. I received a vote for Chicken Stare and Guelder Rose berry. The winning print was of the Field of Rememberance focussing on just the crosses and dominant red poppies.
Next year's theme is Humour.
24 September 2012
ACC Q3 DPI Competition 2012
Following the summer break the Ashford Camera Club is back in session. The digital projected image competition for quarter 3 is on 25th September. (I haven't been entering any prints so far this year).
The two images I have submitted are shown below. The judges comments will follow, unless they are really poor in which case I might remove this post!
This is Derek Jarman's cottage in Dungeness, Kent. The model is Gill.
Score 9.5/10. The judge liked the composition including the low angle which brought in the strong colours of the flowers. The exposure of the black cottage was good and the interest in the sky helped add to the picture. The young lady, who appeared to be looking at something out of frame, was placed well.
This was taken at the English School of Falconry. The bird is a juvenile Bald Eagle and so is yet to gain the characteristic white plumage of a mature adult Bald Eagle.
Score 9.5/10. Good composition with the bird looking into the frame. The blurred background helped concentrate on the bird which showed sharp detail in the eye and feathers. The half point was lost on the overexposed beak. Annoyingly, I noticed this when reviewing my pictures for the competition but it was too late to resubmit!
The two images I have submitted are shown below. The judges comments will follow, unless they are really poor in which case I might remove this post!
General category: Prospect Cottage
This is Derek Jarman's cottage in Dungeness, Kent. The model is Gill.
Score 9.5/10. The judge liked the composition including the low angle which brought in the strong colours of the flowers. The exposure of the black cottage was good and the interest in the sky helped add to the picture. The young lady, who appeared to be looking at something out of frame, was placed well.
Nature Category: Eagle Eye
This was taken at the English School of Falconry. The bird is a juvenile Bald Eagle and so is yet to gain the characteristic white plumage of a mature adult Bald Eagle.
Score 9.5/10. Good composition with the bird looking into the frame. The blurred background helped concentrate on the bird which showed sharp detail in the eye and feathers. The half point was lost on the overexposed beak. Annoyingly, I noticed this when reviewing my pictures for the competition but it was too late to resubmit!
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