weekly Don's 52 for 2022 - Catchup

[Peter123]

Regrettably fag ends are still with us. You made a good choice.

 

[Darkslinger]

I think that, of the four shots, you've made the right choice. The discarded garbage in the swan shot isn't obvious enough, the bin shot isn't as interesting and the bird in the last shot is waaayyy more interesting than the bag of "whatever"...

 

[SimonH]

All fit the bill, but agree with your chosen image for the theme.

 

[Don153]

I think that, of the four shots, you've made the right choice. The discarded garbage in the swan shot isn't obvious enough, the bin shot isn't as interesting and the bird in the last shot is waaayyy more interesting than the bag of "whatever"...

I visited the same spot this afternoon, and was surprised to see another plastic bag. This time it was a Tescos White Baking Potato bag. There is also a Tescs carrier bag onthe outside of the nest. "Every little helps" is printed on the bag...


I was a bit disappointed to see that there are still only three eggs in the nest. I also noticed that the swan is tagged. The tag clearly irritates the hell out of the swan, as it was constantly trying to bite the tag.

 

[HelenC]

Sadly depressing shots of our throwaway society. Compositionally you definitely chose the right one.

 

[Don153]

1) While I was photographing this flower/weed Saturday morning, a bee flew into shot. I suspect that this shot might also do as next week's entry!


2)
Some bullrushes from Sunday.


I prefer 2) but I think that it would be a shoehorn too far. So No 1 it is.

 

[Peter123]

Good flora and the bee adds to the image.
I would also have chosen the first.

 

[SimonH]

Both nice shots, both with a healthy helping of flora
I think that bee might be a hoverfly though...

 

[Don153]

Both nice shots, both with a healthy helping of flora
I think that bee might be a hoverfly though...

Thanks. I did wonder what it was.
I'm amazed at the number of birds that I have learned to identify over the last year. I've got a suspicion that insects are going to be much more difficult.

 

[Bebop]

Great shot of the hoverfly!! It made me smile because I take a lot of photos of the back end of them. I'm sure they are camera shy

There is a Facebook group where they record them. I always have a go at trying to identify them but it's not very easy and I never remember them from one season to the next.

 

[Darkslinger]

Both good shots Donal, but I think that you should have listened to your inner voice. I think that #2 is the stronger of the two.

 

[Don153]

Great shot of the hoverfly!! It made me smile because I take a lot of photos of the back end of them. I'm sure they are camera shy

There is a Facebook group where they record them. I always have a go at trying to identify them but it's not very easy and I never remember them from one season to the next.

It's usually the back end of red kites that I photograph. I find that the autofocus works perfectly on their tails. [sigh]

 

[Bebop]

It's usually the back end of red kites that I photograph. I find that the autofocus works perfectly on their tails. [sigh]

I'm not terribly active on Facebook, but my favourite group on there is called 'Crap Wildlife Photography'. So many of the posts are so funny. Needless to say I got my most 'likes' anywhere ever on that group

 

[Don153]

Both good shots Donal, but I think that you should have listened to your inner voice. I think that #2 is the stronger of the two.

I like 2 a lot more, but it would have felt like cheating. I was trying to photograph the heron in flight (he had just landed there).
I didn't think of the "Flora" aspect until I saw another photo/entry featuring a bullrush.

 

[Don153]

I've been practicing for the upcoming "Upside down camera" technical challenge


2) I thought that this would make a decent entry, but I'm not really happy with the photo. I wonder if it would have come out better with the sun behind me?? (The Sun is in front of the camera in this shot).


.3) I thought that this was unusual, and I was very pleased that I managed to get the exposure right. This is the turbulence created by a Goose taking off.



I've chosen number one because it tickles my fancy, and it just about qualifies for the Reflections technical task. In other words, it kills two birds with one stone.. (shot???).

 

[Darkslinger]

I think that you've nailed the future "upside down" technique, so future Kudos to you!

 

[wornish]

I struggled to get my head around your first image. Well cropped and seen.

 

[SimonH]

Good shots - I like what you've done with your chosen shot. Very unusual.

 

[HelenC]

Works for me... as does the quip about two birds

 

[Simonbrown16]

That made my head go funny for a moment. I like your thinking on this one, well captured!

 

[Don153]

I think that you've nailed the future "upside down" technique, so future Kudos to you!

I struggled to get my head around your first image. Well cropped and seen.

Good shots - I like what you've done with your chosen shot. Very unusual.

Works for me... as does the quip about two birds

That made my head go funny for a moment. I like your thinking on this one, well captured!

Thank you all for the positive comments. I must admit that I was a bit nervous about posting an image rotated by 180 degrees, so I'm very happy that it has gone down well.

 

[Don153]

What a busy weekend! Lovely weather and four days off work was a real treat - and the perfect opportunity to use the camera.
I haven't yet chosen this week's image, but I will have to do so by the end of this post. So, in no particular order:
1)
Some starlings in Tice's Meadow nature reserve.


2)
A butterfly which I have't identified yet.


3)
A flower


4) Another flower at Virginia Water


5) A dog who looks like he changed his mind about going for a swim.


6) Some ducks



The last one seems to have gone all soft on the upload - which is a pity. Here it is on my own (very noddy) website:- http://www.don4ls.space/sites/default/files/2022-04/SCP4154758-F.jpg

3) was another favourite, but it looks a bit wrong too.

I really like the detail in 2), but I think that the starlings just look nice. So 1) it is.

 

[AlanDorset]

I'm not normally that keen on bird photography but both the starlings and the ducks have captured my attention, great shots.

 

[Darkslinger]

Love the Starlings and the ducks but the panicking pooch is the one that made me laugh

 

[HelenC]

Definitely the starling shot for me. The composition of three creates an interesting image rather than just a single bird. I love the colours you can find in their plumage.

 

[SimonH]

A nice set of images Donal. Star.ing shot is lovely, but that dog!!!!!!!!!

 

[Peter123]

I'm with you on the starlings. They are a beautiful and interesting bird. Their ability to mimic sounds (often the songs of other birds) always intrigues me.

 

[Chevin]

The starlings are an interesting image however I love the "ohh shvt" expression on the dogs face

 

[Don153]

That's really nice! I think a bit more space at the bottom?

I should have noticed that! It is cropped, so the space might be there. I'll have a look when I get home.

I'm not normally that keen on bird photography but both the starlings and the ducks have captured my attention, great shots.

Love the Starlings and the ducks but the panicking pooch is the one that made me laugh

Definitely the starling shot for me. The composition of three creates an interesting image rather than just a single bird. I love the colours you can find in their plumage.

A nice set of images Donal. Star.ing shot is lovely, but that dog!!!!!!!!!

I'm with you on the starlings. They are a beautiful and interesting bird. Their ability to mimic sounds (often the songs of other birds) always intrigues me.

The starlings are an interesting image however I love the "ohh shvt" expression on the dogs face

Thanks for all the comments.
The "dog" shot was one of about 6 taken in fast frame mode. In all the other shots he looks absolutely happy.

 

[Nod]

3 and 4 (I think!) are both Magnolias but different groups. The first is (I think) a Stellata and the second a Grandiflora.

Love the dog shot!

 

[Don153]

3 and 4 (I think!) are both Magnolias but different groups. The first is (I think) a Stellata and the second a Grandiflora.

Love the dog shot!

Thank you for that. I wouldn't have a clue how to start identifying them.

 

[seaodyssey]

I love the dog Image, I have not been to Virginia Water for must be 40years, when I lived there, so lots of special memories, like the totem pole, the water fall and the fake roman temple.

 

[StuartPearson]

Discarded - Smoking was never something I tried, I was obviously not in that peer group in my teens. All the images are sadly indicative of our throwaway society, where too many think it's someone else's job to clean up after them.

Flora - We make our own luck, the bee fills the gap in the top left nicely.

Unusual - I did have to change my view to see the first one, works well although I do like the goose take off turbulence.

Snappers Choice - The composition in the starling photo looks good, although they are all worthy contenders and I did enjoy the dog in mid flight.

 

[Simonbrown16]

Love the picture of the dog, you can definitely see the regret in his eyes!

 

[Don153]

Well, this week was interesting. Trees and landscapes are my nemesis. I have a couple of lovely trees in the garden. They really are georgous.

Here is one
1)


This is another
2)

The next ones were taken this week, and I much prefer them
3)


4)

5)


As I have been trying to get a decent photo of that Cormorant for almost a year, I am going to choose 5. This is uncropped, and barely processed at all, so I am quite happy with it.

 

[Cloudforest]

There are some lovely shots in the series Donal and I absolutely love the first. That’s one beautiful tree.

 

[Peter123]

I like the way the dead tree (stands out against the dark background. The cormorant is a bonus.

 

[Darkslinger]

Some really nice shots Donal but #4 really stands out for me. The composition is very strong and your exposure is spot on.

 

[HelenC]

You must have a huge garden if those trees are in it? I love your chosen shot.. very moody and atmospheric.

 

[Don153]

There are some lovely shots in the series Donal and I absolutely love the first. That’s one beautiful tree.

Thank you. It is indeed beautiful. I haven't really done it justice though.

I like the way the dead tree (stands out against the dark background. The cormorant is a bonus.

The sunlight was just right for that shot.

Some really nice shots Donal but #4 really stands out for me. The composition is very strong and your exposure is spot on.

Thanks Bill. I've had a play with that image - see next post!

You must have a huge garden if those trees are in it? I love your chosen shot.. very moody and atmospheric.

It was a decent size before those trees got so big.