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Ringing Roger, Peak District, UK
© 2023 Paul Newcombe. Don't use without permission
Possibly my favourite composition at Ringing Roger with the foreground rock creating an 'x'. I've stood here many times perfecting the composition. It felt quite precarious yesterday with the frozen rocks.
These are the best conditions I've had. Often, patchy doesn't work, creating too much contrast. But the hard frost decreased the contrast on the rocks.
I couldn't fit the foreground rock into one frame for the previous upload as I only had 24mm equivalent lens. This is good though as going wider reduces the impact of Loose Hill and the Great Ridge.
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
My best photos are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...
More TICINO/TESSIN Wildlife Photos (all taken in my garden in Monteggio/Ti, Switzerland): it.lacerta-bilineata.com/ramarro-occidentale-lacerta-bili...
If you're interested, you'll find a more detailed closeup here (it's the 8th photo from the top): www.lacerta-bilineata.com/western-green-lizard-lacerta-bi...
My latest ANIMAL VIDEO (it's very brief but pretty unusual: a tiny wall lizard attacks two young great tits): www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQqkSsyrm7E
THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: MY LONG AND ARDUOUS JOURNEY TO BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
If you've set yourself the challenge of exclusively shooting the wildlife in your own back yard, you might find - as I did - that bird photography is really, really hard.
It's not that reptiles are easy to photograph either, mind - but at least the ones in my garden stay (for the most part) on the ground, and one can learn how to carefully approach them with a camera. They're also clearly egoists, which from a photographer's point of view is is a great character trait: if a lizard detects a human in its vicinity, it's only interested in saving its own skin, and it won't alarm its buddies.
But birds... oh man. Over the years, my feathered friends and I have developed a lovely routine that now defines our peaceful co-existence. As soon as I as much as open a window (let alone the door), I'm instantly greeted by an eruption of panicky fluttering and hysterical shouts from my garden: "SAVE YOUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND FLY FOR YOUR LIVES: THE HAIRLESS, PINK MONSTER IS COMING!!! (Yes, I speak bird, and I know that this is exactly what they are shouting 😉).
Needless to say, with the exception of the redstart I already showed here, all my efforts to get the kind of detailed shots I usually strive for with my nature photography ended in complete failure and utter disillusionment. I was ready to give up on stalking the winged misanthropes in my garden altogether, but then winter came - and changed everything.
One day this past January I observed my neighbor Signora P - a kind, elderly Italian lady - putting something on the low garden wall in front of my house. At first I thought she was just putting some treat there for her cat Romeo; the young tom patrols that wall constantly (it's his favorite spot in the garden, and during the warmer months he usually lurks in the thick foliage next to it to prey on lizards).
But once I detected a lot of movement on that wall through my window, I understood she had put a little pile of bread crumbs there; she was feeding the birds who soon arrived in flocks. This was certainly well-intended on my neighbor's part, but her noble action came with a catch, and I'm afraid quite literally.
When I took a stroll through my garden the next day I discovered a suspicious amount of feathers on the ground next to the wall. Romeo had apparently switched from his low-calorie summer diet (lizard) to more energy-rich meals consisting of "fowl" (it was winter after all, so from a nutritionist's point of view this made sense).
I would find fresh traces of Romeo's victims (mostly feathers, but also the odd wing) in my garden over the following days; so my first intuition that my neighbor was feeding her cat hadn't been that far off after all, as Romeo was now clearly being "served" fresh birds on a daily basis. And although the hungry visitors seemed to be aware of the danger and became slightly more prudent, they just couldn't resist the tasty snacks Signora P put on that wall - and neither could Romeo.
It was obvious that I had to act, but talking to my neighbor - who is as stubborn as she is kind - would have been futile, I knew that much. I pondered the matter long and hard - until a light bulb went off in my head. The idea was genius. If successful, what I had in mind would not only increase the birds' chances of surviving Romeo's appetite, but also greatly benefit my own photographic endeavors.
I started to enact my master plan the very next day by buying a giant bag of bird feed (consisting mainly of sunflower seeds) from the store. Then I dragged a huge piece of a tree trunk (approx. 120 cm in height) that we normally chop firewood on in the shed out into the garden and emptied almost half of the bag's content on top of it. Signora P's buffet for birds (and cats) was about to get some serious competition 😊.
My reasoning was as follows: not only would the birds be lured away from the fatally low garden wall to a place where they were safe from the cat - there was nothing around that tree trunk that provided cover for a predator, and the birds had a nice 360° view around it at all times - but I was also able to photograph them while hiding in the shed.
However, in order for my plan to work there was one little extra measure I had to take, and it was one that risked lowering my own life expectancy considerably once the owner of the property - my mom - discovered it. You see, our shed is completely windowless, so if I wanted to use it as a blind, I had no choice but to cut a hole into one of its wooden walls... which I promptly did (I figured all's fair in love - and photography 😉).
Granted, I have absolutely zero carpentering skills, and it showed. That hole was an ugly mess: the shed's wall seemed to have had an encounter with Jack Nicholson's ax-wielding lunatic character from the film 'The Shining'. Needless to say, I was incredibly proud of my work (I mean, come on: there now was a hole where before there wasn't a hole, and it was big enough for the lens of my camera to peek through, so it was mission accomplished as far as I was concerned).
Now all I had to do was wait for the birds to discover the tree trunk. In the meantime I started to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable confrontation with my mom and go through possible explanations for that splintering hole in the wall (it was either gonna be a rabid woodpecker attack or an emergency rescue mission with a feeding tube for a little kid that had accidentally locked himself inside the shed - both seemed valid options, though I slightly preferred the locked-in kid due to the involved drama and heroism 😉).
A whole day went by, and not a single bird visited the sunflower seeds. I had expected that it might take a few hours until the first of the ever curious great tits or blue tits would show up, but given how tiny my garden is, an entire day seemed excessive. Then another day came and went: the birds kept flocking to the bread crumbs on the wall, and my tree trunk kept collecting dust. To add injury to insult, a few fresh feathers on the ground were proof that Romeo was still feasting.
It was incredibly frustrating: I provided my winged guests with a much better view - plus a higher chance of surviving the cuisine - than Signora P's place; I risked (almost) certain death at the hands of my own mother (OK, the act of vandalism on the shed I had committed for my own benefit, but still), yet the birds kept ignoring me.
Then, after three days, just before sunset, I spotted a single blue tit on the tree trunk picking away at the sunflower seeds.
When I got up the next morning I immediately realized that the loud noise that accompanies each and every tit activity had shifted from the wall to the shed. At last the dam had broken: there was a flurry of movement around the tree trunk, and I counted at least 5 different species of birds feasting on the sunflower seeds.
From day 4 onward my plan worked beautifully: the birds now indeed mostly ignored Romeo's "snack wall" and kept to the tree trunk. And yes, I was able to play peeping tom from behind the shed's wall and photograph them!! 😊
Thus, dear readers, I finally managed to produce some acceptable bird photos, and I had even saved my feathered friends from a deadly foe in the process. All through winter and spring I took advantage of my new bird hide, and in late May I started mixing some cherries with the sunflower seeds. The idea was to attract a Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), and as you can see, it worked!
It took me almost three weeks and more than a few tricks to capture that clever fella, but given how long I've been rambling here already, that's a story for another day. As for my mom, she still doesn't know about the hole in the wall, so please don't snitch! 😉.
I hope you like the photo and wish you all a wonderful weekend! Many greetings from Switzerland, and as always: let me know what you think in the comments 🙏 😊 ❤!
P.S. if anyone has their own funny tale about the obstacles we photographers are prepared to overcome for a desired photo, please write it in the comments: I love such stories 😊
Kinder Low, Kinder Scout, Peak District, UK
© 2021 Paul Newcombe. Don't use without permission
Taken last Sunday evening.
This is first direct light I caught from the sunset as I passed just South of Kinder Low Trig Point. Though the sun was already dipping quite low. The Pennine Way crosses the picture at the right. I'd rushed over from the Wool Packs.
The good thing about changing plans and moving is you get shots you normally wouldn't. I tried my best to compose something to work with the fantastic light. I liked the light on the grasses here.
This is the view from the start of my walk yesterday,up alongside Blackden brook and up onto Kinder scout....Its a great route, one of the best.
A week with fast 55mm: Tomioka Auto Chinon 55mm f1.4.
This is a first 55mm f1.4 I acquired and the one closest to the heart. A beautifully gentle and painterly lens with just enough sharpness wide open to separate and iluminate the subject. Just enough for eye to be relaxed (if you get what I mean).
While waiting on a tardy Big Boy departure from Denver, a northbound local on BNSF's Brush Sub is seen preparing to cross the UP Greeley Sub in Commerce City, CO.
...Die Schwalbeneltern haben richtig zu tun. Die 4 Schwalbenkinder haben einen riesigen Appetit.
DSCN8202iNMD
1st time visit scouting the Woolpacks a few weeks back to get my bearings. I would love to come back here with the right light. Some amazing rock formations that have been shaped by the wind.
Some of the rocks have names, but I'm not sure what the rock on the left is called? it looks like mans face with a huge chin and forehead.
This is Jack and he was at the Walk for Hospice in Brantford, On. on Sunday. Jack's owner happens to be a Brantford Fire Fighter, and was taking part in the hike. I stopped by to chat with Jack's owner and the rest of the crew and couldn't resist taking a photo of Jack's kind eyes.
Burg Gutenfels dominates the skyline of Kaub at 110m in height and provided back up for the Pfalzgrafenstein toll castle to choke off the flow of traffic and extract tolls to fill the coffers of the Holy Roman Empire with their cut of the river merchants purses.
Built in the 13th century by the lords of Falkenstein-Münzenbergit it collected tolls until the 16th century and eventually passed through many hands until it fell into the hands of the Prussian empire in the 19th century.
The castle became private in the early 20th century and is now a guest house hotel which gives you a chance to stay in an 800 year old fairy tale castle with some of the best views of the Mittle Rhine valley.
Excerpted from their website “With the closure of the heavy castle gates, the noise and hectic of the outside world disappear. A new world full of romantic magic surrounds you. Because of this, and because of its age and the many traditions surrounding it, Burg Gutenfels has been made into a stylish guest-house, where guests from all over the world are made more than welcome.”
Disclaimer: Not trying to be realistic in my editing there is enough realism in the world, my style is a mix of painterly and romanticism as well as a work in progress.
I took this with my D750 and Tamron SP 24-70 2.8 G2 Lens processed in LR, PS and DXO Nik
All photos copyright 2015-2024 by Yarin Asanth. Please note the copyright. The photos are property of the photographer Gerd Michael Kozik! No further use of my photos in any form such as websites, print, commercial or private use. Do not use my photos without my express written permission !
The same procedure every year. Two applications are required to fly a drone in Thailand. A kind of driving licence or personal licence from the CAAT and a specific drone licence from the NBTC. Both applications require a lot of paperwork, forms have to be filled out and uploaded, photos with serial numbers, entry documents, an insurance confirmation, a residence address. If all goes well, the application to the CAAT has already been approved before the trip and so the application can be submitted to the NBTC with the entry stamp on the day of arrival. Ideally, processing will take less than half a day and you will then be sent a transfer order. The fee is 224 baht including bank charges. In the end, you have two certificates that allow you to fly a drone legally. I wouldn't do it without the certificates, because if the worst comes to the worst, you are covered, especially in the event of an accident.
A wonderful scenery between Ao Nang and Railay, a special the view from above!
Merci beaucoup à tous pour votre gentil commentaire et vos favoris très appréciés - bien cordialement ! au plaisir !
Thank you very much to all for your kind comment and your very appreciated favorites - well cordially - au plaisir -
Herzlichen Dank an alle für Ihren freundlichen Kommentar und Ihre beliebten Favoriten - herzlich! zum Vergnügen
Sun setting on the wind turbines at Pubnico Point.
Currently in Explore; Thank you for all your views, invites, and kind comments.
A nice outing with a great photographer, Steven Nokes, around Kinder (hope you don't mind me posting!). The weather was a bit crap on top but there was plenty of water in the clough. Think there were one or two shots that were nice. Probably better when the heather is out or a bit later when the grasses have died back a bit. Will be nice if it freezes.
Family ties
Canon EOS 7D © 2013 Luc Legrand. Photos are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Pictures can not be used without explicit permission by the creator.
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Many thanks to all visitors of my photo stream for your kind comments and criticisms, invitations and favourites.
all visitors and friends of my photostream, a big thank you for your comments and reviews, invitations and favorites.
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All rights reserved. Copyright © Seapixel, Papua New Guinea
All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.
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All kind of dudes in my forest
Jogging or skiing or biking
This is the yellow dude
If I can, I must admit, I'm trying to be on trails where I don't meet them, lol
They are eager to hurry home, or be finished with their workout, it looks like they more or less hate what they are doing
No offense for you dudes that are working out, hurray for you, but you do look pissed
Sorry to say
So you normally find me where nobody else are, but they do cross my paths from time to time
Leaving Bacharach and on my way to Oberwessel I stopped on the opposite side of the Rhine from Kaub for a short photo break of the castles that this little town has to offer.
Burg Pfalzgrafenstein shown here began life as all castles on the Mittle Rhine as way for the rich to bilk the hard working river merchants of their hard earned coins as toll payment for their safe passage.
The Castle is strategically located on an island on the right side of the Rhine where once upon a time this was the only clear channel for boats to pass.
Merchants sandwiched between the river castle and the fortified town and the left channel impassable for large ships, had no choice but to submit and pay the toll or face a hard fight from two opposing strongholds.
Disclaimer: Not trying to be realistic in my editing there is enough realism in the world, my style is a mix of painterly and romanticism as well as a work in progress.
I took this with my D750 and Tamron SP 24-70 2.8 G2 Lens processed in LR, PS and DXO Nik
Perhaps one of Germanys most famous statues stands on guard at the convergence of the mighty Mosel and Rhein rivers the Deutsches Eck (German Corner).
The Statue is a typical Prussian martial style equestrian statue of William I, the first German Emperor it was created in 1897 in gratitude after his death for being the Father of the modern Empire and the unification of Germany.
During WWII it was mistakenly destroyed by artillery when they mistook it for enemy troops and it remained just a plinth until 2 September 1993 when sculptor Raymond Kittl finished producing an improved replica created from bronze plates this time around instead of copper.
I took this with my D750 and Tamron SP 24-70mm 2.8 G2 Lens processed in LR, PS luminosity masks and DXO Nik
Disclaimer: Not trying to be realistic in my editing there is enough realism in the world, my style is a mix of painterly and romanticism as well as a work in progress.
A nice sunrise on Kinder looking to the Great Ridge. Clear sky forecast so nice to get some low cloud.
His wings are a little different, but I like the way they look. I wasn't sure if it was a leaf or something but the more I looked I saw it was a part of him. Here is to the Unique. If someone know what kind of butterfly this is I would love to know about it. If you saw the butterfly I captured yesterday, this is the Dragon Fly he was hanging out with.
I believe this is a Black Saddlebags dragonfly Thanks [https://www.flickr.com/photos/62425933@N04]
I don't use this as often as I'd like, but when I do, I really enjoy it.
A relatively recent replacement for a turntable I had since high school. It didn't break the bank but easily could have; little did I know a new turntable can require a second mortgage. And that's just for the turntable! Then there's the cartridge, the preamp, and while you're at it . . .
Musical note: I much prefer Blue Train to Kind of Blue, but the latter made for a better title. Either way, jazz is sexier in vinyl.
Technical note: This was the first time I used live view to manually focus. It's the bomb!