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...

South Wales road trip, is it?

Spent friday driving around Wiltshire, wandering around Shearwater, Langford Lakes and Heavens Gate which was all good, but the weather wasn't exactly great.

However saturday driving around south Wales turned out to be very nice and I managed a whole bunch of wildlife pics, quick location snaps and a couple of arty photos too. (using my new Manfrotto 055 pro-B tripod, which I am very pleased with - quick plug for Camera King who were excellent and sorted out a very fast advanced replacement on the first faulty tripod that arrived).

A swan on Shearwater lake..



Nice close up of a Robin at Cosmeston Lake, nr Cardiff. Looking a little bemused at the sunny UK spring.
Ruins of St. Quintins Castle (14th Century+)

The funky geology at Lavernock beach..






The ancient burial chamber at St.Lythans (click here for info)





Porthcawl beach at sunset..






Ogmore Castle after sundown..

Yellow spring..

With spring popping up loads of yellow flowers around at the moment it was time for a mini challenge. No outstanding shots but I like the curly dandelion.

Lunar Eclipse

Here's my attempt at photographing the cool lunar eclipse that happened last night. Not bad for a first attempt (on digital format), considering I was struggling to stay awake (after sleeping only 3 hours in the car yesterday). Lucky too as it was raining and cloudy either side of the event.

Taken at intervals between 8.30 and 11.20.

Llyn Y Fan Fawr

Another month without a post, I really must get out more! I spent friday night sleeping in the car so I could get into the Brecon Beacons nice and early. It was tiring, but exploring Fan Fawr lake at sunrise was outstanding.

...Some natives (common frogs) getting into the spring spirit..

..a macro shot of some tiny flowers..

..and a very rough panoramic veiw of Fan Fawr (I haven't reinstalled all my software since I got Windows Vista)

Misty Marden

Wales

Spent saturday in the Brecon Beacons, we were going to stay over but decided to scout out where to stay for another visit in a couple of weeks instead. I did manage a quick wander into the wilderness as the sun was falling..

Ice!

Not quite cold enough for wintery scenes, but a rare appearance of some solid ice in these warm winters of late..

A trapped leaf in a patterned frozen pond and difuse sunlight reflecting off frozen flood water near Silbury Hill.

Back in the saddle again..

Short daylight hours and a bit of January fatigue finally overcome. Some photos of a mostly overcast Wiltshire countryside..