Best day yet

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I can honestly say that today was one of best photographic experiences to date and in some ways has probably helped me decide my favourite genre of photography.

Near to my house is a country park, its great and one I love walking around it. If I ever get a few hours spare I will quite happily walk round with my camera taking the same old shots time and time again, the weather and light are always different.

Today I decided to have a walk around and practise with my new 10-22mm, its so wide its taking a bit of getting used to. After I had done the stuff I planned to do I thought I would switch to the 70-200 and chase a few squirrels around. The park can get a bit busy but there are some great secluded woodland areas. I found a spot with some really big trees spaced quite far apart. It has a good wide canopy but plenty of open space on the ground. The squirrels were plentiful, burying acorns from the many oak trees. Out of the corner of my eye I kept noticing something moving. To my side was a large half rotten tree trunk laying on the ground. I moved quietly around to one side where the light was better and crouched down. I waited and sure enough a weasel popped his head up. I had my camera ready and took a shot, the shutter was loud enough to cause it to duck away. I moved to a closer position and had the camera ready. I couched and waited and sure enough it popped back up, I shot again and it ducked away. This time it popped up behind another section of the trunk. I kept shooting and each time it would duck away only to reappear at another place, it was very curious. At one point it even started to get closer. A loud group passed by making a dreadful racket and probably thought I was rather strange, but once they had passed he popped out again.

After a while I decided to let it get on with its business. I was so happy to have seen something like this in the wild from about 6 to 7 feet away. Its something about being outdoors just sitting in silence and watching, the whole place seems to come alive and I feel a real inner peace. The photography is in some respects only a vehicle to get me outdoors and appreciating the wildlife. I have tried to explain this to friends but they seem to miss the point.

Pictures will follow and even if they are rubbish I don't care, the experience was well worth it and put a great smile on my face.
 
Sounds like a great moment and fab day! I haven't had a day like this yet with my camera, but I really look forward to the day when it comes :)

Looking forward to seeing your picture results :)
 
Just checked the pictures, unfortunately I didn't bump the iso enough resulting in a slow shutter speed (not good for fast moving animals) But there are one or two so so ones. But you know what, it doesnt even matter, it was the experience that counts.

I hope you get one as well, suddenly the cost of all the kit doesn't matter.:thumbs:
 
Also had a good day today. Got up at crack of dawn, well half an hour earlier, to take some sunrise shots. Had 35mm lens on and 5 or so squirrels were chasing each other in the trees so I fitted a longer lens only to look up to see they had buggered off. Swapped lens again only for them to return again. Did manage to capture some but they all bloody quick - most were slightly blurred but still a fun experience.

Some pics in the landscape section for critique - sorry no squirrels!
 
Thats what its all about at the end of the day, im happier sitting up a mountain in silence watching deer from far or eagles or the now and again RAF jets flying past. Cant beat it.
 
I came up close and personal with a weasel last summer...it ran over my foot then proceeded to sit and eat my bait...

No photos unfortunately....like yours, this was a case of sitting back and savouring the moment...I have vivid memories of it sitting on my boot and demolishing my maggots. It was a real privilege to be so close to something so special...

Janet
 
Its something about being outdoors just sitting in silence and watching, the whole place seems to come alive and I feel a real inner peace. The photography is in some respects only a vehicle to get me outdoors and appreciating the wildlife. I have tried to explain this to friends but they seem to miss the point.

:plusone:

Know where you're coming from.
 
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