Welney I - 13 February

I had just started to get about without a walking boot and met a friend at Welney for a couple of hours.    It was the longest drive I'd done for months and it was great to be carrying a camera once more and trying to capture the essence of Welney in the winter.   There will be three postings of this trip - the other two showing some of the aggression between birds and some of the pairings being played out.   This posting records some of the waterfowl seen - Coor, Shelduck, Moorhen, Pochard, Mallard, Whooper Swan, plus a gathering of Goldfinches on a feeder.

Home Garden in the Snow

I think now I should have used a wide angle lens rather than a 15mm fish eye lens to capture the garden looking attractive after snow had fallen.   However, it made me have a go at trying to correct distortions from the fish eye lens (partially successfully).   The higher temperatures have melted almost all the snow now, so it might have to be next winter before I get the chance to use a different lens.   On the whole it's a low maintenance garden, although there is plenty to do this year because of neglect in recent years.   I am looking forward to making time to be out there though, and soon.

Tracks in the Snow

Some interesting activity overnight!

Boo in the Snow

Boo is now well over 14 years old and I can't imagine she will see that many more snowy days.

Neighbouring Field

When I went out for a short walk this morning in the field next to home, and there had been more snow overnight, I was reminded of a winter a few years ago when I was wanting to collect a panel of photographs of fields and trees covered in snow.   It was just lovely being outside and following a camera again.   I'm as attracted to those in monochrome as those in muted colours this time round.   The morning mist added atmosphere.

......And About Time Too!

I am walking and driving again and have enjoyed getting into the garden and neighbouring field during this wintery weather.   I had hoped I would remember how to do a posting, but I didn't because the system has changed, but having asked for help, I'm making progress once more.

These are photographs of birds taken from the kitchen window a couple of days ago when the snow first started falling.   Not once did a Magpie settle on the bird table - they just grabbed food as they flew past.   I can't think there was a predatory for them to have been fearful of!

 

Django's Tiger

I have taken many photographs during this calendar year but not as many as I should have liked have found their way onto this blog.   However, on Sunday afternoon I'd been alerted to a Django's Tiger gig being held at Hot Numbers Cafe in Cambridge.   It was a lovely warm place to be, after dark, and after a day of snow. and before the coldest night of the year to follow.

I wasn't expecting to be taking photographs on this visit but I had a compact Sony RX100 with me and as I know Damian (Rythmn Guitar) he was happy that I should take some images, and here they are - not perfect but reminiscent of the atmosphere.

I was most impressed with the way in which the musicians look to one another so carefully and respectfully:  I hadn't realised that other than the beginning of each piece the musicians are improvising!   I thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to them.   They are excellent!