I’ve decided on a post to cover up my lack of recent photography. I will, of course, be dressing it up as a listing of my favourite photographs. It will also make a change of pace from the last post,
Male Common Blue
I was on the way to visit Men in Sheds when I stopped to take a picture of round bales. We have a Hockney post card showing a scene like this and I keep trying to reproduce it photographically. So far I haven’t managed, but this Common Blue flew past and after twenty minutes of stalking I had a couple of decent shots. That’s about as good as it gets – butterfly photography can be tricky.
Small Copper on castor oil plant
This was one Julia spotted in the front garden. It’s a small garden and relies on self-seeded red valerian to attract butterflies, though it has plenty of marigold and allysum as back up. We’ve had quite a variety this year, with the favourites being the Hummingbird Hawk Moths.
Though they are great things to see, they are very difficult to photograph, so they haven’t made the cut.
This was the opposite of the previous photograph – no stalking needed. All I did was get the camera out as I walked from the car to the door.
A Puffin thinks about ending it all
I know it’s only contemplating flight, but it does seem forlorn as it looks down. The clown face adds to the general air of despair. This photograph was taken as a group of birds loafed about just below a viewing platform at Bempton Cliffs.
We also went to Flamborough Head that day, and spent an enjoyable time on the cliffs there too. With a mixture of poor health, work and creaking knee we’ve not been out and about much this year – which makes the good days all the more special.
Bee-eater at East Leake
This is a poor photo, but we had an interesting trip out and saw, albeit distantly, some exotic birds. The quality of a photograph, for me, lies in the memories of the day it was taken on, as much as in obtaining a pin-sharp picture of an event. Even people with top quality equipment were struggling because the heat was making the air shimmer and at the distance we were working this was causing problems. With low quality optics and a dirty lens I never expect perfection…
They were very much on the edge of their range, despite global warming and the nests failed in the end, but it was a brave attempt.
This one always cheers me up. The photo, that is. The subject of the photo always has a list of jobs for me.
This was taken as a new profile photo when Julia started the new job at the Mencap Garden. It’s a typical pose – outdoors, dressed for gardening and with that enigmatic smile. It’s a smile that shows how happy she is to have been married to me for all this time.
Well, I think that’s what it means.
Yes! A lovely portrait of Julia and some excellent butterfly and puffin shots.
Thank you – to be fair they are selected highlights – I have hundreds of rejects! 🙂
🙂 You’re not the only one!
🙂
Wonderful post! It beautifully illustrates how images enhance memories of good times. That picture of Julia is just lovely. Outdoors and dressed for gardening? Perfect!
I’ve grown to rely on my camera – so useful for bringing back memories.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with basing a post on old photographs 🙂 Lovely one of Julia
Thanks Derrick – at least your old photos have social and historical value. 🙂
🙂
The photos are all beautiful, Quercus, and that is a lovely portrait of Julia!
Thank you. I work on the basis that if you select the right subject and take enough photos you will end up with a few decent ones. 🙂
I love the photo of Julia, though I wouldn’t call her smile “enigmatic”. I think her smile says that she knows everything and is amused by much of it.
It’s a possibility… 🙂
A good set of photographs. The portrait is excellent.
Thank you. I was cheating a bit by selecting from a year’s worth of photos rather than taking fresh ones.
That is Beautiful 👧👧🖒
Thank you. 🙂
You are Welcome 👧