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Bluebells in Savernake

Tulips in Lacock

The Cloisters of Lacock Abbey (need a wider angle lens for this shot really)

Kit Update

Well, I just scrolled down and read my kit description from last August. It's a little out of date so here's a quick update to clarify..

I bought the Sigma 105mm EX DG f/2.8 Macro lens in the end, which is my first prime lens and responsible for all the macro shots dotted around my blog. It's a great lens and I'm very pleased with the ease of handling and results (can't really comment on the auto-focus as I've always used manual focusing so far).

I also replaced my kit 18-55mm Canon starter lens with a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. Again, I am really pleased with the quality on the lens, the image stabiliser comes in handy when I don't have my tripod handy and it suffers a lot less lens flare than my starter lens when shooting into the Sun.

I bought some cheap extension tubes, that I haven't really played with much yet and my most recent purchase is my Manfrotto 055 pro-B tripod with a 804RC2 head. A fairly hefty lump of kit, a massive improvement on my cheap old one, my only down points are: the center column is clumsy to remove and attach, and the screw-in handles can fall out too easily when not tightened (I learnt this the hard way and lost one already).

I still would like to get some Lee ND grad filters to cut down on the photoshop editing I do, and a circular polariser for my 17-85mm lens, but I am very happy with my current package which (excluding lens hoods) just about fits into my Crumpler Stunner bag.

ps. Thanks to all those who posted comments, very appreciated! (I turned on anonymous comments so hopefully it should be a bit easier to post now).

pps. Due to spam comments being posting I removed anonymous comments - damn people.

Shades of grey

A few of my photos this year that suit conversion to black & white..

Limpits at Lavernock (coralled into position using Ray Mears-esque technique)



Texture, contrast and reflections on Porthcawl beach
Sunbeams in Savernake Forest




The Missing Tile
Another sunny glade in another part of Savernake

..err somewhere in South Wales, probably.

Exmoor

Another weekend wandering, this time down to Exmoor in Somerset, along the Barle valley.
Was an amazing day and the beautiful valley was criminally free from crowds of people.
Two words of warning: Don't try to cross the ford at Tarr steps in a Ford Escort and if you're cycling and all your mates go the easy route, do not try the rough, stoney path - you will end up doing a windmill impression.

No great photos, but here are some anyway..












..the Dam at Wimbleball lake (incl people along top for scale)

Forest Sunrise

Up at 5am for a trip through the forest on sunday, the bluebells are probably a week or so from being out fully so here's a few macro and misty photos..

WARNING

Listening to heavy Rock..

Can cause brain damage..

(but is still much better than the alternative)

Bourton Birds

Owl yoga class..

Eagle owl and Harris hawk from The Cotwolds Falconry Centre






This sad chap just stood in the sprinkler, gazing into the void, no doubt wishing he had a different job. (I know how you feel mate!)


I had to post a photo of this penguin, but the background was pretty distracting. I think removing the colour helps focus on the foreground and has highlighted his mood quite well.

Savernake

Wandered through Savernake Forest for a few hours on sunday, the bluebells are starting to bloom, shouldn't be long until it's covered in them. Until then, some macro shots...