The escapist
This Rose plant’s attempt at escape through this concrete-block wall have to be admired, even though a pair of garden shears will end in an instant what may have taken weeks of growth to achieve!
*Shot on a Canon G12 10mp compact camera with lens at 30mm and settings at ISO-100, f/5.6, spot metering mode and an exposure time of 1/640 seconds*
Purple and green
A tiny green Aphid scurries across the furled petals of this purple Vetch, eager to seek some nectar as the flower straightens and blooms with the arrival of the morning’s Sun.
*Shot on a Canon 350d 8.2mp dSLR using a Sigma 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DG macro lens set at ISO-200, f/5, pattern metering mode and an exposure time of 1/1250 seconds*
Last Spinning Jenny
Spotted this bare Sycamore tree in the middle of Winter with a solitary winged seed still attached to a twig, helplessly fluttering in a cold breeze. The scientific name for these aerodynamic wonders is Samara, but more than often they get referred to as ‘helicopters’ or ‘whirligigs’ because of their rotating action when the seeds leave the tree; however it is from my neck-of-the-woods that they are known by a most affectionate colloquialism that conjures up images of childhood innocence and times gone-by – ‘Spinning Jenny’.
*Shot on a Canon 40d 10mp dSLR using a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS mkll lens with settings at ISO-160, lens at f/5.6, metering mode set to centre weighted average and an exposure time of 1/60 seconds*
The flock
A flurry – or kit – of Homing pigeons captured in mid-flight as they bank in a unified flock and each individual wing flap is synchronised to the next nearest bird’s beat.
*Shot on a Canon 600d 18mp dSLR using a Canon EF 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens with settings at ISO-400, lens at f/4.5, metering mode set to spot and an exposure time of 1/4000 seconds*
The slog No.2
All credit to this bloke for managing to avoid fashion hari-kari by wearing the combination of a baseball cap, bright yellow T-shirt, genital-smothering shorts and calf-length white socks whilst slogging his sweat-drenched guts out – a braver man than I!
*Shot on an Olympus E-P1 12mp micro 4/3 system digital camera using an Optomax 135mm f/2.8 lens with camera settings at ISO-200, f/5.6 and an exposure time of 1/3200 seconds*
Dewdrop gemstones
A morning shower has rendered this Carthusian Pink speckled with water droplets, each glimmering in the rising Sun’s rays like precious dewdrop gemstones ready for the plucking.
*Shot on a Samsung GX10 10mp dSLR using a Schneider D-Xenon 50-200mm f/4-5.6 lens set at ISO-100, f/6.3 and an exposure time of 1/800 seconds*
Sneaky Stoat
I was lucky enough to snap some pictures of a Stoat hunting its way through a dry-stone wall and unbelievably, the fearlessly inquisitive mammal actually poked its head through a gap and stared at me from just a foot away, thus rewarding me with the above amazing snap.
*Shot on a Fujifilm S8100fd 10mp bridge camera with settings at ISO-200, f/4.5 and an exposure time of 1/400 seconds*
Consumed
A once-blue-now-rusted metallic fence has been overrun and entwined by all-consuming Ivy strands, its leaves and their differing shades of green revealing the extent of this plant’s age and governance of the surrounding area.
*Shot on a Canon 600d 18mp dSLR using a Tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Di ll LD lens with settings at ISO-100, lens at f/5, metering mode set to spot and an exposure time of 1/1000 seconds*
Let there be light…
A Sunset landscape shot once again: just try to absorb the stunning orange Sunbeam burst and allow all your stresses to fade away…
*Shot on an Olympus E-P1 12mp micro 4/3 system digital camera using a Corsina-W 24mm f/2.8 lens with camera settings at ISO-250, f/2.8 and an exposure time of 1/1000 seconds*
First awakenings
The sprouting of this year’s Fir tree cones, unfurling their miniature armour plated seed carriers for the first time.
*Shot on an Olympus E-P1 12mp micro 4/3 system digital camera using a Sigma Super Mini ll 28mm f/2.8 lens with camera settings at ISO-200, f/2.8 and an exposure time of 1/40 seconds*
Stretch the Horizon 