Page 39 of 219
Re: nfreem
Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:06 am
by Pauline
They are great shots Neil. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to get shots like that and failed. Even if I manage to get anywhere near close enough as soon as I point the camera they are off and I am left with a little black spot in the middle of the screen. Given that our cameras are similar do you have any tips?
Re: nfreem
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:18 pm
by Neil Freeman
Hi Pauline, thanks for the comments
It looks like my reply vanished along with the others in the apparent UKB time warp over the weekend
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
....oh well.
I can't remember exactly what I wrote before but I think I mentioned that I usually use the viewfinder when trying to take photos of birds in flight as I find it easier to get them in frame as they fly past. Other than that I don't really have any tips, got plenty of little black spots of my own
Friday 15th November
A re-up of the shots of the large and really quite attractive garden spider that was hanging on the ceiling of our bedroom on Thursday night. With neither Jane or myself keen to leave it hanging above us overnight, I put it in a plastic container which I left in the garage until the following afternoon when I released her into the back garden where I took these photos.
I still cannot make up my mind whether she is
Araneus diadematus or
quadratus. I have looked at loads of images of both species online and found some of both that look similar to this one.
Bye for now,
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:29 pm
by Wurzel
Cracking shots Neil especially the final one when you can see metallic green eyes
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
I'd think I'd "relocate" this one as well
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: nfreem
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:07 pm
by Neil Freeman
Cheers Wurzel,
Big wussies really aren't we
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Her abdomen was about the size of a 5p coin with a leg spread that would have easily covered a 50p, in the big scheme of things not that much of a monster...
....but on the bedroom ceiling with the shadows cast by a bedside lamp
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 10:29 am
by Neil Freeman
Saturday 30th November
November comes to a close with a lovely sunny day, no wind to speak of but with an underlying slight chilliness in the air that felt quite refreshing after being indoors at work all week.
The sun this (Saturday) afternoon lit up the autumn colours in the garden well and showed some of the yellows off particularly nicely
![Misc 30.11.2013 019resize.JPG (695.16 KiB) Viewed 1401 times Back garden - 30.11.2013](./files/thumb_10101_ea32bec54cf352ada1ff8140055f6c8b)
- Back garden - 30.11.2013
![Misc 30.11.2013 025resize.JPG (612.11 KiB) Viewed 1401 times Sallow lit up by the afternoon sun - Coverdale 30.11.2013](./files/thumb_10101_4454284fe107830fa2cabd01c9a080be)
- Sallow lit up by the afternoon sun - Coverdale 30.11.2013
With no benign mico-climates around here I have not seen a butterfly for weeks now but there have been increasing numbers of birds coming into the garden recently, mostly Great, Blue and Coal Tits with some Blackbirds, Sparrows and Robins.
![Misc 30.11.2013 033resize.JPG (561.94 KiB) Viewed 1401 times Great Tit - Coverdale 30.11.2013](./files/thumb_10101_dc1248cc7c13fd2828f7c811f4a75a87)
- Great Tit - Coverdale 30.11.2013
One particular Berberis is visited frequently by Blackbirds and Sparrows who hide amongst the spiky branches and feed on the small red berries.
![Misc 30.11.2013 043resize.JPG (627.38 KiB) Viewed 1401 times House Sparrow - Coverdale 30.11.2013](./files/thumb_10101_208dde77ad436ab979416ca726cbf27c)
- House Sparrow - Coverdale 30.11.2013
Bye for now,
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 1:15 pm
by ChrisC
Araneus diadematus for me. and a beauty
Chris
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 10:05 pm
by Wurzel
It's got to that time of year for me too Neil as, Bob aside, I haven't seen a free flying imago in over a month now. Better dust of the bins and Scope ready for some birding. Lovely shot of the Sparrow
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
, I expect that people will really start to appreciate their lovely markings as I do now that they're becoming less common.
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: nfreem
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:24 pm
by Neil Freeman
ChrisC wrote:Araneus diadematus for me. and a beauty
Chris
Thanks for the ID Chris, those are what I usually have in the garden so that was my initial thought. It was just that I have never seen one this particular shade before and the more I looked the less certain I became.
Hi Wurzel, Sparrows have certainly been less common around here in recent years although there seem to have been a few more around again this year. Still nothing like I remember years ago though, when 'Spugs' were everywhere. I suppose the other side of that coin is that I am seeing far more Great Tits, Coal Tits and Long-tailed Tits these days.
Cheers,
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:31 pm
by Neil Freeman
Sunday 8th December
This weekend was mostly spent doing family stuff but this afternoon I was in our kitchen and happened to look out of the window into the garden and there was a Greater Spotted Woodpecker swinging about on one of the feeders.
I quickly went into the back room where my camera was and just managed to get a quick shot through the window before he flew off down the garden.
![Coverdale 08.12.2013 001resize.JPG (513.1 KiB) Viewed 1304 times Greater Spotted Woodpecker - Coverdale 08.12.2013](./files/thumb_10101_3d2224fdeadc1da812fd262c18ad8cba)
- Greater Spotted Woodpecker - Coverdale 08.12.2013
I kept watching for a while in case he came back and spotted him a couple of times flying between some of the larger trees at the end of the garden but that was as close as he came. Whilst I was watching and waiting a Thrush came up the lawn turning the fallen leaves. The camouflage was quite remarkable and a couple of times I lost the bird amongst the leaves until it moved again. I believe this was a Song Thrush but must admit I am not really sure of the differences between this and a Mistle Thrush so I could easily be wrong on this one.
![Coverdale 08.12.2013 006resize.JPG (570.23 KiB) Viewed 1304 times Song Thrush - Coverdale 08.12.2013](./files/thumb_10101_8e3a8ec5a514bca43a8ba40605ecf57f)
- Song Thrush - Coverdale 08.12.2013
There were also the now usual Great, Blue and Coal Tits flitting backwards and forwards between the shrubs and feeders.
![Coverdale 08.12.2013 014resize.JPG (645.79 KiB) Viewed 1304 times Coal and Great Tits - Coverdale 08.12.2013](./files/thumb_10101_1149397174244b473ff109b5355ca839)
- Coal and Great Tits - Coverdale 08.12.2013
Bye for now,
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 10:17 pm
by Nick Broomer
Nice photos Neil.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
When i see people like yourself posting pictures of birds, i often think about taking it up again, but never do as i am always so busy. Maybe one day.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
By the way, you are right with your ID of the Song Thrush. I always think if its the same size of a Blackbird, its a Song Thrush and, if its the size of a Fieldfare, its a Mistle Thrush.
All the best, Nick.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 10:54 pm
by David M
Nice shots, Neil. Birds are beautiful creatures but I'm afraid I dont possess the patience required to stalk and photograph them. One normally needs higher quality equipment with long lenses to do them justice.
Maybe I should give it a crack though during winter, as there are a few notable species around here that aren't too tricky to find, e.g., Red Kites, Bullfinches, Dippers...
Re: nfreem
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:10 pm
by Neil Freeman
Hi Nick, thanks for the confirmation on the Song Thrush
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
. I haven't actually taken up photographing birds seriously as such, just taking some photos as the opportunities present themselves, usually in the garden and quite often through the window from the back room.
Cheers David, not much patience or stalking involved in my case, or specialist equipment. My trusty FZ150 is usually sitting in its case in the back room and I just grab it when I see something of interest. Helps to tide me over until next Spring.
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:39 pm
by Wurzel
More great bird shots Neil, keep em coming!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I especially like the Song Thrush and in the spring their song is great as they'll repeat a riff two or three times before moving onto another riff from their repertoire. Nicks size technique for identifying them is a handy one. I also go by brown = Song, grey = Mistle
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:47 pm
by Neil Freeman
Cheers Wurzel, nothing much seen this past week unfortunately. I have been at work in the daylight hours during the week and Chrimbo shopping yesterday and raining most of the day today.
Going back through my piles of photos taken this year looking for favourites to post in the species specific threads, I have been reminded of some of the fabulous locations that I visited. This next lot of photos are of some of these fantastic places.
I had a couple of visits to the Wyre Forest back in early June where there were loads of Pearl Bordered Fritillaries...
![Wyre Forest 01.06.2013 083resize.JPG (653.7 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Wyre Forest - 01.06.2013](./files/thumb_10101_00253a4c031ad51432f55a18007b491b)
- Wyre Forest - 01.06.2013
![Wyre Forest 01.06.2013 219resize.JPG (652.13 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest - 01.06.2013](./files/thumb_10101_188d307bd78ed1fd56387fb0a3d5c2c3)
- Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest - 01.06.2013
a drive down to Prestbury Hill by Cheltenham for Duke of Burgundies where I was also surprised by the number of Small Blues about...
![Prestbury Hill 05.6.2013 176resize.JPG (506.26 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Prestbury Hill looking towards the Malvern Hills in the distance - 05.06.2013](./files/thumb_10101_6e178493ffd2bf522922f2db2b138f3a)
- Prestbury Hill looking towards the Malvern Hills in the distance - 05.06.2013
A family holiday at Croyde Bay, North Devon later in June. I particularly like the shot below with a seagull heading into the sunset past Baggy Point...
![North Devon 2013 572resize.JPG (451.65 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Sunset at Baggy Point](./files/thumb_10101_7a28304c9390f6c89cda78d8ddef09eb)
- Sunset at Baggy Point
A couple of weeks later there was a fantastic three days in the Heddon Valley with good numbers of High Brown Fritillaries...
![Heddon 07.13 021.JPG (635.08 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Heddon Valley, North Devon - 13.07.2013](./files/thumb_10101_7e36c97f5ebf45e1b00c0ffe988cbf8c)
- Heddon Valley, North Devon - 13.07.2013
![Heddon 07.13 027.JPG (565.6 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Looking back up the valley from Heddons Mouth - 13.07.2013](./files/thumb_10101_ae4073ee5372afbc08b41c80ddefbaaa)
- Looking back up the valley from Heddons Mouth - 13.07.2013
another month later and I was up at Arnside for Scotch Argus and where I was also pleasantly surprised with a Clouded Yellow...
![Arnside 2 8.08.13 040resize.JPG (645.92 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Arnside Knott looking North - 08.08.2013](./files/thumb_10101_1781462f4e5b7b3891bb486e8fd62f79)
- Arnside Knott looking North - 08.08.2013
![Arnside 2 8.08.13 046resize.JPG (695.16 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Arnside Knott looking South - 08.08.2013](./files/thumb_10101_321b387d9e086d2e30d40aba3d797017)
- Arnside Knott looking South - 08.08.2013
and then down to Dorset at the beginning of September for another family holiday where amongst the many butterflies seen were many Clouded Yellows and Adonis Blues.
![Dorset 2013 202resize.JPG (498.02 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Looking down on Lulworth Cove - 02.09.2013](./files/thumb_10101_2645e81894e6fc11dc245776da1a0e78)
- Looking down on Lulworth Cove - 02.09.2013
![Dorset 2013 248resize.JPG (623.27 KiB) Viewed 1221 times The gully at Durlston CP looking much drier than 2012 - 02.09.2013](./files/thumb_10101_1027bc7fdd3ee0c5b83b6283acad2cd6)
- The gully at Durlston CP looking much drier than 2012 - 02.09.2013
![Dorset 2013 346resize.JPG (618.78 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Looking over Swanage from Peverill Point towards Ballard Down - 03.09.2013](./files/thumb_10101_2078d8e06368f818a0a5649e842ae6f3)
- Looking over Swanage from Peverill Point towards Ballard Down - 03.09.2013
![Dorset 2 2013 057resize.JPG (675.4 KiB) Viewed 1221 times Looking East from White Horse Hill, Osmington 05.09.2013](./files/thumb_10101_4aa0ad2978ae123c6ccede01333dfa6a)
- Looking East from White Horse Hill, Osmington 05.09.2013
A brilliant year all in all with more butterflies about in some places than I have seen for many a year
Bye for now,
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:00 pm
by Wurzel
Heddon Valley looks fantastic Neil
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Though the best shots were obviously the last set as you can't beat Dorset of course, they brought on pangs of home sickness
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: nfreem
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:05 pm
by Nick Broomer
Lovely scenic shots Neil, especially Heddon Valley and Heddons Mouth, two photos that will always appeal to me.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I never think of taking scenic shots when i`m out butterflying, [or anywhere for that matter] but maybe i should. I just might surprise myself next year and take a few, or not.
All the best, Nick.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:21 pm
by David M
Yes, some beautiful vistas there, Neil. My personal favourite is the one taken above Lulworth Cove with the speedboat heading out to sea...
Re: nfreem
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:19 pm
by Neil Freeman
Thanks for the comments guys, very much appreciated
They are all favourites to me, each in their own way, which is why I picked them to post on here. Most of all, they all bring back memories of special days
I am in the habit now of taking a few location shots at most of the places that I go to, even if only to capture the habitat to keep a record of the 'place'. The icing on the cake is that a lot of these spots are beautiful bits of countryside in their own right and very photogenic, even if my photos don't always capture the majesty of the views.
Cheers,
Neil.
Re: nfreem
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:40 pm
by Butterflysaurus rex
Look at all that lovely sunshine *sigh*
Thanks for the lovely reminder of last summer Neil
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: nfreem
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 9:35 pm
by Neil Freeman
Thanks B' Rex, I, have particularly enjoyed looking back over the past few days of wind and rain.
Speaking of which, with this year rapidly drawing to an end and with us all looking forward to next Spring, I thought that I would post a few shots taken during the Spring just gone which was a bit slow in arriving but which made it that much the sweeter when it did.
First off a trip to Snitterfield Bushes in early May where there were plenty of Primroses in flower,
![Warks 06.05.2013 011resize.JPG (726.7 KiB) Viewed 1099 times Primroses at Snitterfield - 06.05.2013](./files/thumb_10101_550c21584998ab853ede9d1da9ed2c75)
- Primroses at Snitterfield - 06.05.2013
then on to Bishops Hill where it was Cowslips,
![Warks 06.05.2013 013resize.JPG (684.66 KiB) Viewed 1099 times Cowslips on Bishops Hill - 06.05.2013](./files/thumb_10101_ae9a243bb2a352cba7028dd46c45cc0f)
- Cowslips on Bishops Hill - 06.05.2013
then a couple of trips to Ryton Wood later in May when the Bluebells were out,
![RWM 18.05.2013 009resize.JPG (653.89 KiB) Viewed 1099 times Bluebells Ryton Wood - 18.05.2013](./files/thumb_10101_a6193ce30b5989bca66ddbc6ccd1f558)
- Bluebells Ryton Wood - 18.05.2013
![Warks 26.05.2013 179resize.JPG (667.46 KiB) Viewed 1099 times My son Chris taking photos of the Bluebells in Ryton Wood - 26.05.2013](./files/thumb_10101_e81e266ca57fe846058d6051a0d60c17)
- My son Chris taking photos of the Bluebells in Ryton Wood - 26.05.2013
Just in case I don't post again in the next few days I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and here's looking forward to next year
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
.
Cheers,
Neil.