Cotswolds

Friday 18th Feb 2022

Lovely day so we popped over to the Cotswolds, had a look round Blockley which is where they filmed a lot of Father Brown, then off to Chipping Camden, some lovely cottages round there, then a walk round some lanes before we went to Snowshill Manor for our lunch, followed by a walk round the village which I must say is beautiful and so well kept, then a scenic drive home, won't be long before we go back.

Here's just a few photos from the huge amount that I took, again Canon 700D & 15-85 lens.

Saturday 19th March 2022. 

An enormous catch up.

Thought it's time to bring the blog up to date, sorry but illness got in the way, one of the problems of getting old I'm afraid.

Have been out and about quite a lot this past month or so, to be fair I had no intention of going out during the first couple of months in the year, the weather was awful.

Right then, although I am still doing some photography in my local area, it's not enough to keep this blog going, so my blog will now include all my photo excursions, my nature photos are now restricted to my Canon 7D with 300mm lens and my Canon sx60, my Canon 700D will also do some nature but mainly be used for landscapes.

My Tamron 150-600mm lens has gone, mainly to the fact that it is too much for me to carry now, I miss that lens so much but it just had to go.

Before I start adding my photos I will say that I have joined gurushots.com, a fun way of showing and competing in photography, costs nothing so thought I would give it a go.

Lone Great Crested Grebe, there were two on Captains Pool a few days ago but the one has now sadly flown away much to the disappointment of this one. Canon 7D & Canon 75-300 lens.

Candian Goose drying off, same camera as above.

Daffodils on the walk to the pool, same camera as above.

Old Silver Birch trunk on walk up to pool, same camera as above.

That was this morning, this afternoon we had a walk round Harvington, one of our favourite places as we used to live there, now live just a couple of miles away.

These photos were all taken with Canon 700D and Canon 15-85mm lens, what a cracking lens this is, days out and this is the one that goes with me. The 700D is also a cracking camera, the flip screen means it is easier to get low down shots.

Chimneys on Harvington Hall.

Tree at rear of the Hall

Rear of the Hall

Rear of the Hall

Berry Lane

Berry Lane

New camera.

 Been a quiet month, had the odd few days out, spent a few hours in Evesham and on the way popped to Wick and found this lovely field, shame it was dull when we arrived.

Took these next two photos with my new compact camera, Sony RX100M2, very very pleased so far, it is as sharp as they come, main reason for buying it is that it will fit into my trouser pocket quite easily, I've never used a camera so small, will keep you informed on how it goes.

Now thinking of buying an attachment which will enable me to use some close up filters, the macro on this will get me in as close as 5cm, the two hoverfly shots here I have cropped by well over 100% and they are still very sharp.

Marmalade hoverfly by Captain's Pool, literally millions of these about at the moment as the majority migrate from Europe.

Scaeva Pyrastri also by Captains, love the markings on this hoverfly.

A selfie from my new Drone, daughter got me this for my birthday, lot more practice needed, camera seems impressive, so hoping to post a few drone shots soon.

Note, I was sat in a field but no crop on this part and as my mate is the farmer I just sat where he told me, plus he was there helping me.

The BIG catch up

June 2021

Robin in the garden

Drinker Moth caterpillar, Chaddesley Woods.

Bluebells, Chaddesley Woods.

One of my watercolours below, am getting some practice indoors for now as I haven't painted for a few years, but am intending at some point soon I can get outdoors locally and paint outside, if anyone is interested in joining me then please let me know, spennellspensioner@gmail.com There are many places of interest around our area, Spennells, Stone, Chaddesley, Clent and of course there are lots of National Trust properties local. Probably more fun if we could get a small group together, say 3 or 4 of us and meet up for a few hours with the paints. I've already got a few spots in mind, if no one wants to meet up then no problem as I will go on my own. Beginner or experience, won't make any difference.

Public footpath, Stone, ideal spot for a bit of painting perhaps.

Chrysotoxum Cautum, Hoverfly

Hoverflies, mating by Captain's Pool.

Goldfinch outside my house

Knot Grass caterpillar, Spennells.

Swans arrived

 Friday 15th January 2021

Chilly and dull walkabout, not a lot of wildlife to be seen, hoping the weather is going to pick up again soon.

Couple of swans on the pool this morning, an adult and a young one, seemed to be content going backward and forward along the damn wall, Grey wagtail in the stream by the pool.

Several Long Tail Tits, couple of Jays and couple of coal tits in the reserve near to Captains and loads of Grey Squirrels.

Lots of Black headed gulls and mallards in residence also.

Over the fields, a lot of Linnets and Chaffinches were all over the place, mostly sat in the treetops.

There was something swimming in the dead pool toward the rear but couldn't make out what it was, will check again tomorrow.

Black headed Gull

Grey Wagtail in the stream near Captains

Part of the Linnet flock

Grey Wagtail

 

Tuesday 12th January 2021

Pleasant but short walkabout this morning, as well as below, I spotted a Kingfisher, few Jays, Nuthatch, coal tit, long tail tits, Blue and great tits, several Robins, Black headed gulls, blackbirds, sparrows, lots of chaffinch and linnets.

Record shot of Grey Wagtail at Captains, poor shot as he only landed for a second.

Male and female Gooseander on Captain's

Lesser Black Back coming in to land

Robin in the sunshine

Poor record shot Lesser Redpoll through the lounge window, thanks to Jason for the ID on this one as I thought it was a linnet.

Monday 11th January 2021

Black headed gulls after a frozen piece of bread on Captains

Part of the Linnet flock, such a joy to see

Jelly ear fungus

Linnet

Linnets and more

 Saturday January 9th 2021

Still hundreds of Linnets and finches about over the fields, also saw my first Kingfisher of the year at Captain's Pool.

First couple of shots are of part of the huge flock, mainly Linnets with a few Chaffinch amongst them.

Greenfinch

Female linnet

Linnets

Linnet

Chaffinch

Distant shot of Kingfisher

Started to get busy with walkers so called it a day, but all in all had a nice couple of hours.