Thursday 5 January 2017

It's all over now, baby blue...

Well finally, FINALLY the wretched year that was 2016 has ended... and good riddance to it is all I can say... a year where so many loved people were taken from us - seemingly on a daily basis... people that made the world a better place - Bowie, Leonard, Sir George... to name but three; but so many more. Bets were on as to who could be next: Come on 2017 be kind... be kind...

On top of all that were two plebiscites, the result of which left many open mouthed with astonishment and anger... 2017 what can you throw at us? With crucial elections on mainland Europe I can only wonder... Be kind 2017... be kind... and bring us some peace, love and understanding - after all, what is wrong with that?

Photographically the month of December was frustrating with seemingly endless grey skies and opportunities fleeting. It did however give me the chance to set up a bird feeing station in the garden (well in the orchard adjacent to my garden). After several hours of wondering about placement - light is vital and avoiding shooting into the sun proved to be tricky due to the aspect of the plot. Finally, with a little thought I managed to place the station within line of sight from our summerhouse. The view through the open window is OK and with my 300mm lens I managed some images like these...




Blue tit...







Male chaffinch...




Collared dove...




Robin...




Great tit...




House sparrow...







Jackdaw...




Robin (again).




So I am reasonably happy with those although a longer lens would bring them closer - second mortgage for one of those!! The side lighting I am particularly happy with as it adds a certain atmosphere... I shall be shooting throughout the year from this location and the way the light will change will be interesting...

I have managed a couple of trips out onto the Fen this last month for some landscape shoots...


























Lapwing...



Pied wagtail...

The year ended with a Christmas trip to Scarborough - amongst the usual festive celebrations I did manage to get out with my camera...



































And that... just about wraps it up for 2016... I hope 2017 is kinder and brings peace to all... Let's enjoy the journey and see what the next year brings...

All my love to you all out there...

TTFN