Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Dog Show, Milton

I had taken some photographs at this event last year and enjoyed going again this year.   How judges make decisions when there are so many lovely dogs, I don't know!   I'm told there is a set of requirements against which a given breed is judged but it is clear that at the end of the day, subjectivity raises its head and rules the day.   Bit like club photography competitions really!

It is a busy scene with dogs in the ring and dogs waiting;  dogs content and dogs keen.   It must be said though the dogs did seem to be enjoying themselves.   The first image is included to show just how much colour is about and how congested it can seem when earnest conversation is taking place between the owners.   I've cropped quite heavily and converted to monochrome too - which in many ways I think I prefer, although I did find the dog in the first two images particularly attractive (and I'm told very shy).   I would have happily brought any of these home!

Worts Meadow

It was fun getting to do a longer walk than either Boo or I have done for a while.    We went to Worts Meadow, Landbeach and met Beth, a young dog enjoying being a dog and saw catkins for the first time this year.  They look well established too.

Welney III - 13 February

It looks to me as though pairing has started with the Whooper Swans with plenty of vocalising to go with it!

Welney II - 13 February

The first waring waterfowl were Male Mallard, making sure there was only one male for each female.   Then comes aggression between Whooper Swans - presumably with the same agenda.   My favourite image is the last one.....

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!