Dandelion puffball
This Dandelion’s remaining seeds are awaiting the next breeze to shake them free for pastures new.
*Shot on an Olympus E-M1 Mk1 16mp m4/3 pro mirrorless camera using a manual focus Cosina 100mm f/3.5 macro lens with camera settings at ISO-200, aperture at f/8, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/500 seconds*
The King of the Birds
The Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) is the most common bird in the UK with around 11 million breeding pairs (RSPB census 2021).
This tiny songbird, all but a brown ball of feathers, was referred to as the ‘King of the Birds‘ not only by the Druids of Britain in our mysterious past, but also the Greek storyteller Aesop, who relayed a tale about a Wren and an Eagle having a contest to see who could fly the highest: the Wren sat on the Eagle’s back as it soared skyward, unnoticed due to its lack of weight and when the Eagle finally tired at its apex, the Wren just hopped off and flew upwards to win by using its intelligence and cunning over strength.
In addition, the Wren has one of the loudest songs you can hear when out walking in the UK and the wonderfully complex and melodious tune is ten times louder than a Cockerel’s morning crow, if both birds were of a same size.
*Shot on a Panasonic Lumix G9 M4/3 mirrorless camera using a Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 DG Vario-Elmar Lens with settings at ISO-200, aperture at f/6.3, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/1000 seconds*
Through the foliage
A fly fisherman swings a small Trout into hand – which appears to have fallen for a copper Mepps spinner – as he precariously balances on top of a rock that juts out from the fast-flowing water of the River Lune at Halton in Lancaster, UK.
*Shot on a Canon 7d 18mp dSLR using a Canon EF 50mm f/1/4 prime lens with settings at ISO-200, aperture at f/2.8, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/500 seconds*
On the moors
This blue car is dwarfed by the surrounding moorland, its muted patchwork of browns and greens threatening to engulf the vividly-coloured vehicle and its occupants as they travel through this unforgiving landscape at Street in Wyre, UK.
*Shot on a Panasonic Lumix G9 M4/3 mirrorless camera using a Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 DG Vario-Elmar Lens with settings at ISO-200, aperture at f/7.1, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/100 seconds*
Leaving Lancaster
A train leaves Lancaster city centre and crosses the river Lune over the St George’s Quay bridge, bound on its journey towards Carnforth, then crossing the border from Lancashire into Cumbria and beyond.
*Shot on an Olympus E-P5 16mp m4/3 digital camera using a Panasonic 100-300mm f/4-5.6 MEGA O.I.S lens with camera settings at ISO-200, aperture at f/7.1, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/60 seconds*
Fractured light
Strange squiggles of light worm their way between the passing trees – complete with a ‘lucky’ Sunstar – in this unprepared photograph. The resulting picture comes from having a much too small aperture (in this case f/14) along with a prolonged exposure time (just 1/3 second) inside a dark woods and then accidently pressing the shutter button… however, sometimes an unintended capture can result in a very unique and interesting shot!
*Shot on a Canon 70d 20.2mp dSLR using a Canon EF 50mm f/1/4 prime lens with settings at ISO-400, aperture at f/14, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/3 seconds*
Hello there!
I’ve discovered an old mirror on one of my walks, propped up against a shed outside in someone’s back garden and left to be forgotten, so I took advantage of its reflection as I passed by…
*Shot on a Canon 6d 20.2mp dSLR using a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS L lens with camera settings at ISO-100, aperture at f/5.6, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/125 seconds*
RAF Hercules C130-J flyby
A cropped shot between trees of a Royal Air Force Hercules C130-J flying low across the distant horizon near Forton, Preston in the UK.
*Shot on a Panasonic Lumix G9 M4/3 mirrorless camera using a Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 DG Vario-Elmar Lens with settings at ISO-400, aperture at f/5.6, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/500 seconds*
Stretch the Horizon 