Considering it was quite a small size pic and I done it quick I don't think it came out TOO bad!! Go look down below at the brilliant original )
Just give me a nod if you want me to remove it.
Regards,Steve

Taken half an hour ago... She was high up and quite little up above

Regards,Steve

Here is one I took earlier.

X

Regards,Steve

Took this yesterday evening just before sunset

She has been very clear and bright and high in the sky this month.

Happy Beltaine.

X

Paltry attempts! I loved taking them........Enjoy, even if the 'snapping is flawed'!

They look like stones dont they. This is in fact a massive two headed succulent.

It is as big as my fist.

Now showing signs of growth.

This is Helenium something like 'Moorhiems Beauty' half way to forming a seed head.

Seen in abundance in Indiana. Dogwood trees
The legend of the dogwood
There is a Christian legend of unknown origin that proclaims that the cross used to crucify Jesus was constructed of dogwood.[3] As the story goes, during the time of Jesus, the dogwood was larger and stronger than it is today and was the largest tree in the area of Jerusalem. After his crucifixion, Jesus changed the plant to its current form: he shortened it and twisted its branches to assure an end to its use for the construction of crosses. He also transformed its inflorescence into a representation of the crucifixion itself, with the four white bracts cross-shaped, which represent the four corners of the cross, each bearing a rusty indentation as of a nail and the red stamens of the flower, represents Jesus' crown of thorns, and the clustered red fruit represent his blood.[4]

Please click to enlarge these images. Original submissions were between 5 and 6 M Bytes. Guess what happened please !

The moon waits.
It will wait forever for humans to die the cold slow death of the hamburger, the pizza and the french fry.
It waits also as man builds his doomsday machines with a scandalous lack of wisdom.
Man treats the world as his own but the moon knows better.
With the experience of age it watches calmly on.
However hard they try, indiscriminate random fiddlings in the earths mechanics by reactive political leaders will ultimately bring disaster.
The wise Indian shaman says there must be balance in the world.
'White man eat macaroon and teapot fall of seesaw! '
So here is the insomniac moon awake into the day to wash its head in the cool bright sunshine.

I took these shots hand held in 25x digital zoom. F2.8 using spot meter. The camera is unusual in that it has f2.8 all along the zoom range.

Just to remind you that we are still in Seasonal Transition....these were taken in the last month!

I took this just for fun.

This photo was taken in a small nature park called "Kulzer Moos" (not in English) - very unknown even if you don't live far away from it. Probably all the better!
But they have an interesting nature trail there, explaining how moors are built and their importance nowadays.

Back to Nature, I say!

Took this photo last year in a nature park (in English) where some of the small lakes / ponds are allowed to turn back into moors again. Great area for bird watchers!

This looks like it was taken with a flash, but it wasn't. Bright sunshine, ISO-100, f5.6, 1/1000 sec. Click the pic to enlarge it.

Cheers, Tom.

I had to do it today! Grab the bull by the horns and go out and tackle the front garden,my back is now breaking and don't know if i will ever get the dirt out from underneath my nails (i don't do gloves)
Anyway,there was a wee hornet (i think) and it kept buzzing around me for ages,it would fly off then come back and i said to Jade "Next time that comes back,i am going to try and take a picture of it"
Well  i did try and if you look in the centre of the pic you can just see it,it decided to stretch out it's legs,sorry it is out of focus but think that is because it was hovering.
You will see it better if you click the pic to make big! xx

Regards,Steve

Does anyone know the name of this fungi?........... One is as big as a grapefruit!!

Come on you picture takers, show us yours.

Is reasonably in focus.....

Wish me luck lol!!!!
Regards,Steve

And at a turn another cute hut!!.... The bar!!

CHEERS!!

 
I forget the name of this plant. Im sure someone will remind me.
Pointyfinger says its an epimedium........

Be back soon.

X

The sludging away of winter growth

"Do you need an MOT certificate for a motor bike officer?"

View of Loch Lomond from Cameron House.

Pathway at the old New Lanark Mill, near Lanark, Scotland.

What are these? No prizes on offer! Comments on my photographic incompetence (?) most welcome!

At the weekend I tried to photograph my nieghbours hawk in flight. With only limited sucess. Most shots had the birds feet disapearing off left or right frame.
If I use f2.8 the hawk traverses the field depth quickly and I cant get it in focus. The camera is possibly not fast enough.
If I use f8 I cant get the shutter speeds. My best option was to try and get the shot in a sideways plane?
Anyone done this before?

He is not stuck here just captured in time. The hawk is called wallace.

Yes, Easter is already over, I'm a bit late ...  *cough*  :D

There's a tradition here in southern Germany (don't think you'll find it farther north) to decorate fountains and wells during Eastertide.  It really has Pagan origins but has been "adopted" by the Catholic church, as is true with so many other Pagan traditions.  I have to admit that I don't know too many details about the Pagan religion but I do believe that water sources were sacred to them.  And in a twisted way, their "enemies" from the Cathlic church have kept this belief alive  :D

Water sources became wells and later fountains (in German, "well" and "fountain" is still the same word, "Brunnen").  Typically, evergreen branches, yellow and purple ribbons, and painted eggs are used in the lovely and sometimes very elaborate Easter wells.  Decorating the wells seems to have originally been done in conjunction with an annual spring-cleaning of the wells for health purposes.  However, "Osterwasser" (Easter Water) drawn form the depths of the well was especially prized by the village girls for improving their complexions as well as protecting livestock from illness.  Babies baptized with Osterwasser were said to become extremely intelligent.

Don't know, but I just like this photo 

It was a very old road too by the feel (bumps) of it!   

Most other tree-lined roads have been robbed of their name-giving trees as people are too stupid to drive and ran into those trees so they were considered a "danger to life".  Wonder who the real danger to life is ... 

from early morning dew

Somehow I really like lupins

I kind of liked this even though its not brilliantly in focus. Works for me.

These pic were taken in September 2008 at Episkepsi, a very small village in Corfu.

FOR SALE.  Tyre kickers welcome.

This old lady had lived in the village all her life. She enjoyed seeing the photos on the digital camera. She took a rose from the shrub in her garden and gave it to Hazel.

@ 28.....
@300.

This is the Mandarin Lady duck flirting, she is quite camera shy so I had to use the zoom. I love her white eyeliner and lilac wing flashes and the markings on her chest. Lady ducks are not as drab as we are led to believe.

If this image is of interest please see others by clicking here.
If you are thinking about selling a property in the UK please go to our web site www.forsalesoon.co.uk
If you are interested in metal detecting please look at www.scottishmetaldetectors.com

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Then I did a bit of PP.....

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Went to see Red Kites today.  Here is what I think is my best photo.

In Spring a duck's thoughts turn to love

This Mandarin Drake impressed his lady and they sailed off into the sunset together

I suspect that here we have a long established relationship between these two mallards

Sometimes tempers flare and it all goes horribly wrong.

X

The tower at Glasgow University. yes, I have messed about with it a little bit.

I think that the games off today.

Looking back at some pics that I have taken over the last year.

Just waiting.

Unfortunately public parks are not used as much as they should be, it's a pity as the local authority work very hard at keeping them beautiful.  This is a pic taken at a park in Strathaven, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

I was trying to the perspective thing here but the flash was too harsh so covered it with some tissue and now is too dark. Your suggestions please.

Click and it gets bigger

Hopefully others in this group will feel free to comment; these ones are the first results of mine, following Tom's helpful advice of using the 'Exposure lock' facility on my Automatic Digital.....They're not perfect by any means.....Any further help? Thanks Tom!

:D

Last week Thursday former colleagues and I went out for dinner, and on my way back home I couldn't resist taking photos of the full moon.  It was a stunning atmosphere

You can see more photos on my Webshots homepage

P.S.: I have to admit that I was too lazy didn't bother to pull out my tripod and took this photo holding the camera in hand. Surprised it's not more out of focus

I'm still trying things out! No doubt that my blogbuddies will oblige to help me on my learning curve...I crave your indulgence!

Tried the black background...

Same here...played with the black cloth

Tried a white backgound

Entrance to a wine bar in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Bavaria).

*CROAK!*

The daffodils in my garden have put on a good show this year, they are still in bloom now.

And to counter the sunset, here's a photo of a recent moonset

A gorgeous sunset as seen from my balcony a couple of days ago 

AZALEA.

ANEMONE.

PIERIS.

??????

Here is a picture of my lovely old dog looking very bemused, I had placed a treat in the plant pot and told her to "leave it"

You can click for bigger size (if you want to)

and here is the same picture as a black and white image

and here it is with added Awww factor

The Sun gave us a fine farewell over Tenerife as we flew home.

Hi to everybody...today, the weather is wonderful...warm, clear blue sky and we decided to take a walk on the heath and I remembered my camera...LOL...and guess what happened...after three shots, I got a message saying my camera was full - I'd forgotten to clear out the previous ones - and to top it off, my batteries were dead...hmmm...a real nuisance because the day was so clear you could see the Purbecks and Poole with no mistiness at all...oh, well...I've ended up taking some pretty wild flowers and blossom before it dies off...

Hope you're having a lovely day too and GBHs to one and all...

Got in at aroudn 3am so not long awake, off to do some more unpacking and laundry.

Catch up with you all properly a little later.

Hope you are all ok.
X

.
Regards,Steve

These are what Bailey and I saw on our little walk last week. I was just able to get them off the cell phone. The next day was cold and raining. I do so love the dogwood tree the flowers are beautiful. So here they are for you this Easter

These are some of the first lambs I have seent in Scotland, they are always a bit later here.  Thought they were very sweet.

CLICK HERE TO GO LOOK!!!!
Regards,Steve

It is not as it may seem.....
Answers,, guesses.....
Regards,Steve

Venturing into the world of Flowering Shrubs! We have these in our garden..quite stunning! My photography does not do them justice. Will post the pictures anyway!
First one we've had for couple of years! Terrific Pink blossoms in abundance!

Second one recently acquired; delicate, pure white flowers in abundance. Almost angelic!

Apologies to these delightful ladies for not doing justice to the pleasure they are affording us now!

Reflections of light on water, make an interesting theme.

Cheers, Tom.

Posting two pictures of the same object! Not to worry, only water in it! Invite comments of whatever ilk because I'm only learning and saw this one morning when I walked into our kitchen! Fascinated by the Light and its diversified shadows....many flaws, I'm sure!

From Last Summer

They stopped me from using a stand as one has to get prior

written permission to use it inside the Cathedral.

But I managed to get this shot before the “officials” came

(click it to make it bigger)

Cheers, Tom.

A view of Battersea Power Station from The Royal Hospital Gardens -Chelsea
You can also see Battersea Bridge.
This is taken from the open part of the gardens.
Next picture is taken within the hidden enclosure....well anyone can amble through...
but you have to ask me first...
Of course all is welcome...

But quick I will race you to that quiet lonely bench...

These are still alive! I was given them on Mother's Day.
My favourite, I love 'em, but they do smell quite a bit!

Cheers, Tom.

Another flower from the Mother's day bouquet, the flower is slightly out of focus but I still like it.

This flower was in a bouquet that were bought for me on Mother's day.

(click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Cheers, Tom.

These are a select few of some pictures I've taken of fruit for my GCSE artwork; I'm repainting them and building up texture from the contrasts in the images; colours, exotics/normal, texture itself, angles, and structure. This was the first time I properly had to actually sit down and come up with an idea rather than just be 'struck' while out and about with my camera. Tell me what you think! 

These flowers have such a lot of depth it is difficult to get them all in focus. If in doubt go for the centre....

The hustle and bustle of the busy kings road is a stone throw from this
secret oais of peace.....
The Royal Hospital Chelsea Gardens
I walked through and it was peaceful.... not a soul....
just me and the woodland trees!!

Hi to everybody...we did manage to have a walk this morning and when I came home I passed my neighbour's cherry blossom tree and had to grab my camera... The bottom one is a shrub in my garden which is really pretty...sorry don't know it's name off hand...click to enlarge them if you wish....

Great big hugs to one and all....

This is from last springs flowering. Slightly distracting background. Ah well better next time perhaps!