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A Cosmic snowball of Stars.
Mixed weather forecasts tonight - decided I would chance it and assembled scope in back garden. Only got 15 minutes on target before hail shower! Scope quickly capped and disassembled!
Processed the 3 x 5 minute images of Globular cluster Messier 3 anyway. I used generic flats, darks and bias frames from my last session.
This is a mini-galaxy that orbits our own galaxy but it has lost any spiral arms it once possessed to our own galaxy's gravity, leaving just a spherical core of mostly old yellow stars. Sometimes, the stars interact in the dense core and one can steal matter off a neighbour to form a "blue straggler" which behaves like a young blue star.
Its estimated that there 500000 stars in this globular cluster including a large number of RR Lyrae variables that can act as a "standard candle" to measure interstellar distances as the luminosity of these stars varies in a periodic manner with time.
M3 lies about 33900 LY away from Earth.
Equinox ED 900mm f/7.5 scope x0.85 focal reducer.
Modified Canon 80D @ ISO400, 3 x 300 second subs.
SkyWatcher EQ6 pro mount with Rowan belt drive modification.
Guided by PHD2 via PrimaLuce 240mm f/4 guidescope.
Camera Temp: 8-9c
Astrometry:
Resolution: 0.978 arcsec/pxl
Focal distance: 791.17 mm
Pixel size: 3.75 um
Field of view: 56' 41.3" x 47' 40.6"
Image centre: RA: 13 42 11.692 Dec: +28 22 35
Polar Alignment:
QHY Polemaster alignment -
Error measured by PHD2= 0.5 arc minute.
RA drift + 0.98 arcsec/min
Dec drift - 0.12 arcsec/min
Guiding:
PHD2 guiding with ZWO ASI290mm/PrimaLuce Lab 240/60mm guide scope. Every 3rd shot dithered.
RA RMS error 0.67 arcsec.
Dec RMS error 0.48 arcsec.
Personal Notes:
One star had quite a halo but used masked Atrous wavelet method in PixInsight to good effect.
The weather forecast predicted cold temperatures and storm for the weekend ahead so I thought I should post a pic of blossoms I took yesterday ;-).
The spring feeling is better, if you view it in large.
As my friend and I meticulously scrutinized various weather forecasts and consulted totality maps, the anticipation for our eclipse-chasing adventure grew with each passing moment. Eventually, we settled on Watertown, NY, only to find ourselves swayed by a little more promising prospects offered by Plattsburgh, NY, as indicated by the weather models. Undeterred by the 300-mile round trip, we made a trip to Plattsburgh to explore a location one day before. However, in the morning of April 8, the entire area was covered by clouds at 70% according to some weather models, and Plattsburgh did not look promising, either. Faced with this stark reality, we hastily redirected our course to Henderson, NY, clinging to the hope that our luck might change.
Arriving at Henderson, we were greeted by a sky adorned with wisps of high clouds, a sight that momentarily lifted our spirits. However, as the eclipse drew near, those clouds thickened, obscuring our view of the sun entirely. Disappointment hung heavy in the air, threatening to overshadow our entire endeavor.
But just when it seemed all was lost, a miraculous turn of events unfolded. In the final moments before totality, the sun pierced through the veil of clouds, casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape. As darkness descended, the celestial spectacle unfolded before our eyes—a radiant ring encircling the obscured sun, a sight so breathtaking it left us speechless. The collective cheering from fellow eclipse-watchers echoed across the field, evidence to the awe-inspiring power of nature. In that fleeting moment, I found myself humbled by the magical magnitude of the universe, the memory of which will forever be stayed in my mind.
This was my first time to observe the total eclipse and take a photo of it, which was not easy. Because of cloud, I was not able to get the one as I hoped (at this time, I do not mind). As I reflect on our unforgettable journey, I am reminded of the boundless wonders that await those willing to venture beyond the boundaries of familiarity. Despite of the challenges we met, the profound joy and wonder we experienced amidst the darkness reaffirmed that every moment was indeed worth the struggle.
Well, the weather forecast for Kananaskis for 24 September 2019 was not exactly accurate - sun, with cloud in the afternoon. They kind of forgot to mention the strong wind, light rain .... and SNOW! For a few minutes, it was one kind of weather, then a few more minutes of a different kind, repeated throughout the afternoon.
Our temperatures are falling - forecast for rain/light snow today, then three days of snow with temps down to around -1C. What a way to celebrate the first few days of fall. The expected snow will probably remove quite a few of the golden leaves, so I wanted anther chance to see and photograph them while I had the chance.
The sky was blue when I set out that morning and I felt quite hopeful. When I go to Kananaskis, I always go south from the city. I had no idea where I would be going, but I knew that it wouldn't be as far as I would have liked. As it turned out, I had a few surprises along the way, so it was a real mixed day of photo opportunities - my favourite kind of day.
After stopping to take a few scenic shots on the way to the main highway through Kananaskis, I eventually reached the area where the American Pikas live. I really lucked out almost straight away, as the only few photos I took were when one Pika showed itself, and that was within maybe ten minutes. By this time, the wind was strong and it was snowing, and it was cold! Time to get out of there, as the scree slope is treacherous enough on a calm, clear day.
Driving further north, I was delighted to see a convoy of maybe eight or ten beautiful old cars heading in my direction. Couldn't resist, so I followed them when they turned off into a small picnic area. I asked if I could take a few quick photos and they were happy enough for me to do that. One car owner did comment about blurry photos because of the falling snow, but surprisingly my photos came out sharp enough.
Further on, I made a quick stop at another pull-off and was happy to notice a few mushrooms. When I turned around to head for home, I was even happier. I pulled over to take a photo of one of the mountain peaks. One tiny white speck in the distance, just off the road, caught my eye. When I went to check it out, I found myself staring at a little group of Shaggy Mane/Inky Cap mushrooms. The largest one had already started the process of curling up the rim of its cap and dripping a black ink. So much rain this year has resulted in such an amazing fungi season.
Much closer to home, I decided to take a side road that has such beautiful hill and mountain views. An old wooden barn was a welcome surprise - I don't remember seeing this one before.
So, a lovely day out, driving 320 km, with such a mixture of weather and sightings. So glad I did decide to go - as usual, a very last minute decision, but basically, I just need to grab my cameras and go : )
Three mornings ago, on 30 June 2019, I woke up earlier than usual. Once I was on my computer, I checked the weather forecast and saw raindrop icons in the forecast for the next week, but the 30th was for sun. I knew what I had to do! Luckily, I had a tank full of gas, so I grabbed both cameras and a snack or two, and headed out the door. I must be the only person who hadn't been to Kananaskis recently and taken photos of the tiny Pikas (Rock Rabbits), and that was my destination.
Last weekend was a long weekend for Canada Day, and my plan had been to keep off the roads, as I was sure they would be busy, making it more difficult to stop whenever I wanted, to take a photo or two. However, when I saw the weather forecast, it changed my mind. Sunshine, blue sky with clouds, made it a perfect day to be out - I'm sure you agreed, Bonnie : )
A day in Kananaskis is always great, but sometimes 'great' turns out to be fantastic! Can't believe how lucky I was, not just in the mountains, but on the journey there and, at the end of the day, calling in at my 'usual' area closer to home.
I suspect the Pika is most people's favourite - around 6 inches long and almost impossible to see against the mountainside of broken rocks that are the same colour as the Pika's fur. Starting to believe that maybe I was going to be out of luck, the first one appeared, racing in and out and over and between the endless, sharp rocks. Take your eyes off the animal and you stand a good chance of not being able to find it again. Then a second one appeared, a baby. It perched itself on top of a rock and simply stayed there for a few minutes. Several of my photos show the eyes closing slightly. However, eventually it did move, and off it went. When it appeared not too far away, I caught sight of it and thought at first it was a mouse, ha. So tiny!
While I was searching for a Pika, a herd of Bighorn Sheep had come down the massive mountain side and, as they usually do, gathered right in the middle of the road to lick salt left by vehicles. After quite a time, there was an almighty BOOM that startled me and a handful of others. We hadn't noticed a Park's truck arrive, armed with 'bangers' to make the Sheep move from the road. Once the Park's person had left, the Sheep returned to the road. There were several young ones along with the females.
It will take me ages to go through my photos, especially having to combine two cameras, but lots of images can wait till winter. More important, to me, is to continue editing and posting the remaining Texas photos, if/when I get time to do so. I suspect that, too, might end up being a winter project.
Yes, rain a couple of hours again and then sunshine!!
Flickr Lounge ~ Weekend Theme (Week 37) ~ Weather Forecast ...
Stay Safe and Healthy Everyone!
Thanks to everyone who views this photo, adds a note, leaves a comment and of course BIG thanks to anyone who chooses to favourite my photo .... Thanks to you all!
With a weather forecast of cloudy and spotty showers all night, I set my sights on a slightly early eastbound running Iowa Interstate SIBI train operating in the first slot normally reserved for CBBI trains. This evenings move was known to have the Rock Island heritage pairing of GE's 513 and 516. The only hiccup, was the cloud line ending right as the train got track onto the CSX New Rock Sub in Utica, leaving nothing but sunny skies for the remainder of the day until sunset. As fun as this hobby is, sometimes you are not dealt the ideal hand and you just need to make it work.
Ottawa, IL
2023.06.30
When I saw the weather forecast last night was for a good frost this morning, I made sure the camera was ready and headed off to find an image for No.13 - Cold, in 52 in 2014 (which was one of the two categories I had yet to achieve). There was a beautiful blue sky, but that made the landscapes I took look less than the freezing temperature it was. So I'm using this shot of an autumn leaf on a wooden bench.
One more photo to go, to complete the 52 in 2014 project .... I think I'm going to do it. :)
The weather forecast looked perfect for some epic mountain photography, so I set out to climb a 2,500 m peak in the Alps. 1,350 meters of elevation gain, heavy gear in the backpack – the drone had to come, of course, along with all the Milky Way photography equipment. Since hiking down in the dark wasn’t an option, I set up a bivouac at a crisp –5 °C.
The forecast didn’t lie – I was rewarded with a breathtaking panorama: a dreamy sunset for dessert and the Milky Way as the main course! The night was chilly and a bit windy, but the morning greeted me with a glorious sunrise.
Photography for connoisseurs – with a touch of frostbite.
On July 22, 2022, weather forecasters throughout the mid-west were predicting severe, fast-moving storms that would include 60 mph winds, rooftop damage, large, damaging hail, flooding, and downed trees early in the morning July 23, 2022. Sure enough, early in the morning, not far off, thunder could be heard rumbling, skies began to darken, turning an eerie blue-green that we had never seen before. The trees began to quake, and the wind sounded different too. We are used to having to take shelter during these storm warnings, so when the tornado sirens went off, our level of seriousness kicked up a "few notches." I was thinking, "This is the one that is going to take down our 70-foot tree or rip our roof off. The rain went from a torrential downpour to what looked like a wall of water! We had the TV on in another room, so that we could hear the continued warnings. Almost as suddenly as the sirens had blared, the local weather person stated that the tornado warning was canceled for our area. We breathed a big sigh of relief. Thankfully our immediate neighborhood was spared and all that happened in our area was that lots of fallen branches were everywhere. Unfortunately, there were many areas that got hit hard.
*These photos were all take through our windows before the tornado siren went off!
ABC's and 123's W is for Window (view).
The Night Before
19.00: Checked weather forecast. Hoar frost and patches of freezing fog predicted. Poured glass of wine.
19.00-20.00: Enjoyed another splash or two of the old vino while spending a frustrating hour of indecision determining a location for the best sunrise while maximizing the likely atmospheric conditions.
20.01: Tried to remember the exact physical mechanism that could explain how a bottle of wine could simply evaporate in the space of 60 mins. Thinking a Nobel prize may be coming my way if I ever crack it.
20.30: Discovered a smidge of brandy at the end of the bottle. In a fit of OCD housekeeping decided the bottle was littering the place up, so the only decent thing to do was finish off the contents and place in recycle.
20.31: Felt smug for doing my bit for the environment and household chores.
20.45: Finally decided on spot for tomorrow’s shoot. Plugged in camera battery to recharge. Excited to get back behind the viewfinder. Having done a good job of planning, it was time for a celebratory tot (or two) before setting the Casio for a ridiculous early start. Can’t remember going to bed.
The Day
05.30: Alarm went off. Hit snooze in a soporific haze. Repeated cycle. Repeatedly.
06.15: Woke up household has I stumbled around trying to simultaneously pack camera bag (last night I seemed to forget to gather lenses, sd cards, etc. can’t imagine why), get dressed, have a cup of tea (somethings are sacrosanct, no matter how late you are running), and work out why my head was feeling like a freshly washed pillow. Some swearing may have been involved.
06.45: Finally got in the car and headed off. Later than planned.
06.46: Released a tirade of Anglo-Saxon colloquialisms as I realised I would miss the exact moment of sunrise. More Tourette-esque outbursts as I looked out of the windscreen and saw the hoar frost had not materialised and the promised glorious misty morning was not looking very, well, misty.
07.25: Finally parked up in Normanton, Rutland. Rapidly donned wellies (note to self – check the auto spellchecker has not changed “wellies” to “willies”, like it did last time. The resulting confusion and threatened legal action took a long time to resolve) and hiked off to the edge of the reservoir.
07.40: Air temp: -1 deg C, all surfaces covered in a thin veneer of ice, courtesy of the night’s frozen fog (which had mysteriously disappeared)
07.41: Found a good location to set up… a sloping wall running down into the water that I could use as a base for my tripod.
07.42: Put camera and filters on wall as I placed tripod in position.
07.42 + 30 seconds: Heard a thud as camera slowly slid off ice-covered wall and fell onto the gravel.
07.42 + 35 seconds: Frightened local joggers and dogwalkers as I shook my fist at the heavens and (very) loudly berated the gods for my misfortune and noting, with extreme-prejudice, that gods have no fathers.
07.50: Attached ND filter on freshly cleaned up camera and placed on tripod.
07.51: Pressed button on IR remote release. Nothing.
07.52: Pressed button repeatedly while promising to have some severe words with any random deity that may come wandering in this general direction. Still nothing.
08.00: Finally worked out the battery was flat and long-exposure shots were going to be limited to 30 seconds.
08.01: Noticed that my foot was getting very wet and very, very cold. Bloody wellies had leaked. Badly.
08.02: Started taking 30-second snaps as a most glorious mist rolled in across the lake and the church was cast in a beautiful dawn light.
08.05: Soggy foot had gone completely numb. Mind started wandering to vague memories of a first aid course that described the signs and symptoms of frostbite.
09.30: Finally departed Rutland with a smile on my face because I had finally got out to take some photos.
Equipment: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 10-24mm @10mm. ISO 400, F3.5, 30 sec. 7-stop Hitech Firecrest ND filter. Manfrotto tripod
Post-production: 5-shot pano merged in Photoshop. Curve layers to control local exposure. Image warped to remove barrel/spherical distortion. Partially desaturated.
The weather forecast was showing clear and frost, so off i set towards the royal parks, well how much wrong could they have been..travelling around the M25 the temperature was rising and cloud was increasing. Well the early alarm call and weather watch had thrown a spanner in the works. after a morning of very little action at Bushy park. lunch was taken then off to Richmond, quick ride around and again not a lot happening. with the sun just peeking out of the clouds a trip to the pond was in order, Kids bit feeding ducks, but just not any old duck a few lovely mandarins were amongst the mallards. laying close to the water edge. i picked the odd one out as the duck chased the food.
Although the weather forecast indicated wall to wall rain today, I set off for Balshaw Lane Jc knowing that 5 loco hauled trains plus a light engine movement would pass in the period of time from 0945- 1020. As I arrived at the lineside the rain stopped and I got a rain free weather window.
trains as they passed
4M27: running early - 90043 & 90046
4S43: running 3 late passed on down slow which is not usual for this working - 88002
1Z47: a Hull to Liverpool WCRC charter via Copy Pit, came south early from Farington Jc- held at Euxton Balshaw Lane, before it crossed to the up fast.- 57601 & 57316 (T&T)
1Z08: a Cardiff to Carlisle charter (diesel leg) DBC operated 67005 "Queens Messenger" passed early. The 67 will hand over to A1 60163 Tornado at Carlisle for a run to Crewe via the S&C
0Z57: Passed 15 early, a Crewe to Preston Thunderbird move : DRS 57307 - camera battery failure
1Z86: The Cumbrian Coast Express behind 86259 - running in the regular path for the WCME. At Carlisle , Steam will haul it down the coast to Carnforth
The weather forecast was 'no rain, with fog', so I headed to the Columbia River Scenic Recreational Area. Last Saturday was pleasant, and only a few droplets of rain and mist.
Holy smokes! I have just checked the weather forecast at 1:45 am on Sunday morning, 10 February 2019. The temperature is -29C (windchill -39C)! Our regular bird walks, which I rarely get out on, have now been cancelled on 9 consecutive days because of the frigid weather! Unheard of!
Now I can start posting photos taken in the afternoon of 16 May 2018, Day 10 of our holiday to Point Pelee (Ontario) and Tadoussac (Quebec).
After a morning walk, we spent a little time watching and photographing some of the birds that visited our friend's garden. We also had lunch, ready for driving down to the dry dock. This was going to be a big day for the people of Tadoussac, as it was going to be High Tide, which happens twice a year, and the water was going to gradually overflow the entrance gate and flood the dry dock. Everyone was busy making final preparations on their boats for this event, and everyone was eager to see whose boat would be the first one to become afloat and make it out of the dock into open water. One of Anne B's brothers and his wife had a small boat and it was just about at the furthest point of the dry dock. Slowly, the water rose, and after maybe two hours (?) Alan and Jane's boat was ready to sail out, making them the winners. It felt so good to see a small community come together in this unusual, friendly contest.
While we were waiting for the tide to be at its highest, we had fun watching a beautiful little Magnolia Warbler feeding frantically on the ground, not far from our feet. I loved these Magnolia Warblers - I had never seen one before this holiday.
So beautiful and so cute. All the birds who migrate had only just arrived on the coast, after flying across a huge body of water. They were exhausted and so hungry. Same thing at Point Pelee, Ontario, the week before.
"The magnolia warbler is found in the northern parts of some Midwestern states and the very northeastern parts of the US, with states such as Minnesota and Wisconsin comprising its southernmost boundaries. However, it is mostly found across the northern parts of Canada, such as in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. During the winter, the warbler migrates through the eastern half of the United States to southern Mexico and Central America. The warbler breeds in dense forests, where it will most likely be found among the branches of young, densely packed, coniferous trees. The magnolia warbler migrates to the warmer south in the winter, wintering in southeastern Mexico, Panama, and parts of the Caribbean. In migration it passes through the eastern part of the United States as far west as Oklahoma and Kansas. During migration season, the magnolia warbler can be found in various types of woodlands." From Wikipedia.
The weather forecast looked promising so I got up early to shoot sunrise. But to my surprise, the sun was never to be seen. I never thought the weather forecast could be THAT wrong!
Nikon D800E, AF-S Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8 G ED @ 50 mm, ISO 50, f/8, 0.20 second.
Forest Photography - Lonely Entities
A bad weather forecast put paid to a West Coast trip with Iain last weekend but, with things decidedly better than expected around Moray, Rob and I headed out for another few 'local' hours. With just a little daylight remaining we arrived at Randolph's Leap and wished we had allowed more time here. There was some fantastic autumn colour on the trees and after the recent storm and heavy rain, the Findhorn was flowing impressively fast.
Well, the weather forecast wasn't exactly accurate, and my daughter and I watched this rather ominous, dark cloud forming. Rain followed. On the opposite side of the road, just off the left edge of the photo, was part of a rainbow. It really was quite an awesome sight.
Another five photos from 20 May 2025, when my daughter and I spent a long day out together, driving the backroads SW and SE of Calgary. As we do each year, this was a joint Mother's Day/birthday (mine) outing. I think I am almost at the end of my photos for this drive.
Our day started at 9:00 am and we drove 432 km. A spectacular rain storm caught us in the afternoon, which was an interesting experience. Somehow, our route kept us driving towards the blackest part of the storm.
We headed straight down south, first on the highway to save time and then along the gravel back roads that led us along the edge of a Coulee. From there, we headed eastwards, crossing over the north-south highway and as far as Clear Lake, before heading for home.
A reasonable number of birds were seen, including a domestic Helmeted guineafowl / Numida meleagris that was walking in the grasses near the road. I don't remember ever seeing one of these out walking, just the ones in an enclosure at the Saskatoon Farm. Quite a surprise.
Perhaps the highlight of the day was when my daughter spotted a very distant American Badger. I managed to get one very poor shot before it disappeared underground, and stayed there. My daughter had never seen a Badger before.
A few old barns and rusty old vehicles added to the enjoyment of the day. Also, we found a few Prickly Pear Cacti, not yet in flower, but there were a few buds. My favourite kind of day.
Then, on Saturday 24 May 2025, I took part in the May Species Count, one of my absolute favourite days of the year. Three of us drove SW of the city, to our usual area. Though we ended up with a few less total species than last year, we had a great day. How lucky I am to go with two such excellent birders! I haven't yet chosen and edited any photos from the Count, but hopefully will be able to do so soon.
I was walking along the metaled "driveway" that runs beside the banks of the Hutt River when this little Pied Stalk started screeching and swooping low overhead...
It crossed my mind that she might have a Chick close by, but I ignored her and kept walking, and before long she calmed down!
However, on the return walk, I spotted a tiny little bundle of Fluff and Feathers scurrying across the river stones just 50 metres away; no wonder Mumma was so agitated...!
Unfortunately, I couldn't find the Chick when looking through the camera's viewfinder (Grrr), but I chose not to hang around on the off-chance that the Chick would re-appear; that wouldn't have been fair on Mum!
However...
This little Pied Stilt's nest appeared to be alarmingly close to the main river bed. (If you look at the previous photo, the nest is out of sight to the extreme left of the Boulder Bank!). That's ok for the moment because the river is currently very low, but a Tropical Cyclone is forecast to hit the Wellington region over the coming weekend, and if it does, the river's flow will increase - and rise -dramatically... and traumatically for this bird and her Chick.
I can only hope this little Lady is watching the weather forecasts...!
This isn't the sharpest bird in the sky... but hey: at least I managed to get her head in this time!
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It has been a while since I shoot the ocean last time. When weather forecast predicted some light while the sunset was at negative tide, I had no hesitate to shoot the ocean to start this season.
After checking the weather forecast for the next few days, I decided to do a drive N and E of the city on 20 February 2021. I knew I would check a few backroads for a Snowy Owl (none were found), but that was not the purpose of my trip, as I have already seen several Snowies this winter, 2020/2021. I wanted to revisit a few old barns that I had seen before and keep my eyes open for any unfamiliar ones, too. The last drive I did out of the city was on 1 February, so almost three weeks ago! Brutally cold, snowy weather, with windchills that dropped to as low as -42C, kept me safely at home. How good it feels to have milder weather now!
One of the locations I wanted to visit again was a ranch with three wonderful, white dairy barns. Two of the barns are very long and quite impressive. The first time I had seen them was in January 2014, when friend, Phil Quinn, took me out for a day drive north of the city. It must have been the worst day of that winter, with blowing snow swirling across some of the roads and a white sky as well as a white ground. Everything was white. The next time I saw them, from a distance, was on 3 November 2020, when I came across them unexpectedly, not realizing just how far I had driven. Unfortunately, almost all of the barns seen on this day were on roads that had just enough traffic on them to make it really difficult to take photos - there was always at least one car right behind me when I wanted to stop and there was no shoulder to pull over.
On my way home late afternoon, I quickly checked a favourite barn, just in case there was a Great Horned Owl sitting in the window - and there was! I had also photographed an owl there in December 2019 - both times an adult. This made a very nice ending to an enjoyable few hours, far away from crowded city parks.
A poor weather forecast and a substantial delay put me off going out further afield for this move but also made the sun angle a lot more favourable at the local station. A quick walk down to St. Budeaux Ferry Road to capture DB celebrity 66162 “Maritime Intermodal ‘Five’” working the daily 6C12 10:28 Burngullow - Exeter Riverside sand train, running 68 minutes late at this point.
A Morning at Bradgate Park – A Photographer’s Journey - For weeks, the sun had been hiding behind the cold, reluctant to fully reveal itself. Because of this, my eyes were constantly glued to the weather forecast before heading out for a photo walk. Yesterday, I finally saw a promising window—clear skies until noon! Without hesitation, I grabbed my 105mm macro and 500mm PF lenses and set off for Bradgate Park.
As I started my drive, the temperature displayed on my car dashboard was a chilly 4°C. I figured that with the sun, it would feel at least twice as warm—and I was right. By midday, despite occasional strong gusts that sent shivers through the air, the temperature rose above 8°C. The sight of snowdrops glowing under the morning light, combined with the cheerful songs of birds, made it feel as if spring had officially arrived.
In Anatolian culture, it is believed that first the air warms, then the water, and finally the earth—each phase welcomed with celebration. This year, the snowdrops have bloomed later than usual. The reason remains uncertain, but I suspect climate change is playing its part. Observing nature closely reveals shifts that are hard to ignore. Some bird species seem less abundant, while others have surprisingly increased in number.
One such observation was with the European Stonechat. Typically, this species is seen hunting in pairs, following each other around. However, this year, they appear less frequently on the historic Bradgate Park walls. Determined to spot one, I kept my eyes peeled, listening for their distinct calls and watching for their characteristic flight patterns. After a patient search, I finally found a lone male European Stonechat. I tracked him persistently for about an hour, capturing four photos that I hope you’ll enjoy.
Meanwhile, I came across the inseparable duo of Fallow Deer Fawns (Dama dama) once again. This time, I was lucky to frame them side by side, enjoying their breakfast together. Unlike the rest of their herd, these two seem to live independently, watching out for each other against potential threats. They also allow me to approach within a respectful distance, which always feels like a privilege.
Lastly, I spotted a Raven (Corvus corax) along my walking route, preening its wings in an interesting pose. If you look closely at the enlarged version of the photo, you can see reflections of the sky and clouds in its eye—a fascinating detail of nature’s beauty.
Wishing you all a wonderful day and a fantastic week ahead!
Fallow Deer Fawn (Dama dama)
The Fallow Deer (Dama dama) is one of the most recognizable and widespread deer species in the UK, known for its beautiful spotted coat. Its fawns are particularly charming and are a favorite subject for wildlife photographers.
Identification
Size: At birth, fawns weigh approximately 4-5 kg.
Coat:
Newborn fawns have a light brown coat with prominent white spots that provide camouflage in grassy or woodland areas.
As they mature, the spots may fade but are still visible in the summer coat of adults.
Eyes: Large, dark eyes that enhance their endearing appearance.
Behavior
Birth Season: Fawns are typically born between May and July.
Hiding: For the first few weeks, fawns remain hidden in tall grass or woodland undergrowth, relying on their spotted coat for camouflage. They remain motionless when predators or humans are nearby.
Dependence on Mother: Fawns nurse from their mothers and stay close to them for protection. By autumn, they begin grazing more independently but remain within the safety of the herd.
Habitat
Fallow deer are found in parks, open grasslands, and woodlands across the UK. Managed deer parks like Bradgate Park and Richmond Park are excellent places to observe them.
Diet
Fawns primarily rely on their mother’s milk during the first 8-10 weeks.
As they grow, they begin to graze on grasses, herbs, and leaves.
Conservation Status
Fallow deer are not native to the UK but were introduced by the Romans or Normans.
They are now naturalized and thrive in many areas, often managed in parks to prevent overpopulation.
Their conservation status is of "Least Concern."
Interesting Facts
Fawns are born with no scent, which helps them avoid detection by predators.
Their characteristic spots are most prominent during the first months of life.
Fallow deer are known for their seasonal coat changes, with darker coats in winter and lighter, spotted coats in summer.
Where to Spot Them in the UK
Bradgate Park, Richmond Park, and Knole Park are some of the best places to see Fallow Deer and their fawns in their natural habitat. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for observing their activities.
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
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Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)
Weather forecasts not conclusive, so decided to go local in case it turned out unsuitable. We shouldn't have worried the light was great and didn't cloud over until early afternoon. This was our first stop 'The Pool' in Melbourne South Derbyshire.
Checked the forecast yesterday evening, looked promising for a nice sunrise. When I arrived this morning there was a thunderstorm approaching. Did get a nice sky though.
Such conditions are a real treat and great reward not just for the effort required to reach the summit but also the risk taken that the day out in the hills may end up a drab affair. When we left Coniston the cloud looked like it was set for the day and after a few hundred feet of ascent when we climbed intro the cloud it could well have been that we would have been stuck with such conditions for the rest of the day. Thankfully one weather forecaster got everything spot on. At the time of this shot the cloud level would have been about two thirds of the way up towards the summit.
This view shows much of the area we hiked through that day. From left to right, there is the summit of Coniston Old Man, then the ridge heading towards the centre of the image includes Brim Fell and Wetherlam. Our route of ascent was up the ridge to the right of this shot, and of course the the cloud we had climbed through occupies the centre right portion of the shot.
Regrettably some of the restrictions of an iPhone can be seen in this image. The hills are correctly exposed and the colour is correct, however the sky seems to be much more vivid than I would have expected and the shadows seem a little extreme.
The weather forecast wasn't looking favorable for viewing the eclipse so I didn't go anywhere special. We just happened to have a brief clearing in the clouds and I grabbed a couple of shots off of my patio. My neighbor had their patio light on so I was fighting light pollution while taking these. Not the sharpest but astrophotography isn't my strong point so I'm happy with these.
The weather forecast had predicted that the light would collapse around 1pm locally but when the pair of cans passed the grazing cattle there was still clear blue sky behind me. Less than half an hour later it had collapsed for the rest of the afternoon...
Weather forecasters have been talking about the likelihood of snow on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It is snowing in the mountains on the western side of the Continental Divide--the weather is predicted to move over the eastern side of the Continental tonight, Christmas Eve Eve.
Ziva proud of her weather forecasts on Jan 23rd 2019. ❅
She is on the window sill of the room where I have my computer.
With a good weather forecast, I decided to have my first proper day out for the year, heading over to the Sheet Stores freight only line south of Derby.
Following a near death experience in the aftermath of mine and power station closures, the line has seen a modest rebirth with some intermodal workings coming this way.
Here the 11.06 Daventry (DIRFT) - Doncaster Tesco train heads east, like most freights now on the NE-SW axis routed via Toton rather than Derby. This was 32 minutes late, not helping the shadow on the lower part of the cab front.
I was visiting a friend who lived in the Wisconsin countryside. The weather forecast the night before promised morning fog. Never having been in the region before, I went out for an early morning walk to explore and look for photo possibilities. I had no preconception of what I wanted to shoot. No photography goal in mind. I was just willing to work with whatever was provided. Having grown up hunting with my father and as a wildlife photographer, experience taught me to move quietly, which turned out to be beneficial.
The sun had already cleared the horizon, and the promised fog was thick as I walked down a gravel road. I came upon a meadow in which a single tree grew. It was a good opportunity for an image of the tree enveloped in fog with the sun in the background. It turned out to be even better as there were a couple of deer moving through the meadow as well. Standing out in the open, there was no place for me to hide. The best I could do was to move slowly and quietly while making images. The buck deer was heading to cross the road in front of me and the tree when it heard the camera fire. It immediately stopped and turned its head towards me. I took the shot just before the buck continued to cross the road but with a notably faster pace. A short window of opportunity to come away with the best image of the morning. I took a few more images of just the tree in the frame after the deer departed but they did not have the same visual strength as the image that contains both tree and deer.
That's got to be the best visual weather forecast I've seen, forecast for tomorrow morning is wind gusting to 50 mph, heavy rain, the potential for thunderstorms, maybe some hail!
Caithness, Scotland.
Weather Underground. View on the web: , www.wunderground.com/weather/32.2,-110.9, Download Weather Underground app www.wunderground.com/download
The weather forecast has been very much accurate ... the forecast indicated that our sunny weather would lessen and that rain would be, again, prominent, this week.
About ten minutes after taking this shot it did begin to rain and thankfully I was not too far from home. Fingers are crossed for my golf, tomorrow!!
365/2025 - Still The Wheel Turns ...
Stay Safe and Healthy Everyone!
Thanks to everyone who views this photo, adds a note, leaves a comment and of course BIG thanks to anyone who chooses to favourite my photo .... Thanks to you all!
The weather forecast was looking promising for dawn on the Tuesday morning and it was an early start for the group on Colin Jarvis' workshop as we needed to hike up about 300m/1100ft to this location.
Despite a bit of rain when setting off it all turned out good with some golden light illuminating the Old Man of Storr.
This is a stitched panoramic view, covering about a 90 degree field of view.
There was weather forecast for the afternoon, so we got an early start on this hike to Forgetmenot Ridge. This hike requires a ford of the Elbow River. On previous visits, that hadn't been an issue, but the floods of 2013 changed the channels, and we had been staying away fearing deep water. But we were able to hip-hop over a shallow section, and all was well. Although when driving to the trailhead, you feel you are deep in the Rocky Mountains, this place is still very much the "Front Range," the first line of mountains next the foothills, and you can get distant views of Calgary from the top.
The weather forecast gave me hope for a magnificent sunrise, and the view out the window about an hour and a half earlier showed a good mix of wispy clouds and lower clouds. So, on my way to work, I drove past the Haldenberg Chapel. But there, disillusionment quickly set in: the clouds had largely cleared, leaving only a band of clouds far below, just above the horizon. And it stayed that way for about 45 minutes. Then, clouds slowly began to gather again, but they didn't make it close to the rising sun in time to be fully illuminated.
well, our weather forecasters said there'd be heavy snow all day Friday..... but they omitted to say that the little circle I live in would be missed out.... those of you who know me can imagine how disappointed I am, so its back to the archives!!
This is my local forest park one morning last month, taken on my way to work, by lunch time the rain had washed all the beautiful snow away and thats pretty much been the story all winter :-(
texture (inc the moon) by Kerstin Frank www.flickr.com/photos/kerstinfrank-design/7175373676/
Thanks for viewing - looks better on black 'L'