Daily Photography Gallery for week ending 28 December 2014

In this week's gallery, of the daily photographs I have published on Facebook and Twitter, I've included the final three images of my Ladybird project. I know that last week I said there would be six images but I decided to edit out one so as to end the series this week.

This is the 'Winter Solstice Sunset' from our study window. The neighbours had conveniently switched on the lights on their decorated tree in their conservatory to add to the scene.

This is Ladybird image number 3 of 5. It is showing more of its wings with the right one slightly bent, so not at full extension. Its back shell halves are raised slightly higher than shown in last week's image. In the next photograph even more is revealed.

A bright and cheerful coloured Goldfinch.

Ladybird 4 of 5: Wings and shell protectors fully erect. Not a pose normally seen by the majority of onlookers.

This is a Buzzard I first saw two days earlier than this photograph on the outskirts of Heighington but wasn't able to get a good enough image. I went back this morning and managed to get this one to show you. I had to use the combination of maximum optical (42x) and digital (2x) zoom so the quality is only reasonable. I need to plan to visit again to try to find a spot closer to where it perches for a better shot - photographically speaking.

Ladybird 5 of 5. I don't think there are many people who have seen this aspect of the beetle. Its soft body is exposed: a vulnerable position. You can also see that the exterior colour markings of the shell halves are replicated on the inside as they are translucent. The body is also marked with similar colours.

This is the first Bullfinch I have seen in our garden.

Don't forget you can click on any of the photographs to see a larger image.

© Elliot Sampford

Photograph Gallery for the week ending 21 December 2014

Within this week's gallery of my photographs are two from a new wildlife project.

A handful of Goldfinches.

Lincoln Cathedral – taken at 17:15 hrs. on the 16th December 2014. One of my first attempts of night photography.

Holly in all its splendour in a garden close by to our house.

At the moment we seem to have at least one, more often two,  in our house every day so I decided to try a project on photographing a Ladybird. This is image 1 of 6 that  I plan to publish before the 'New Year'.

Strolling round the garden in the afternoon sun.

This is picture 2 of 6 showing a slight movement of wings. In each image the Coccinellid will reveal a little more of itself.

A Great Tit having lunch.

© Elliot Sampford.

Photographs for week ending 14 December 2014

Here is another variety of photographs I've published this week through my Facebook and Twitter accounts.

On Saturday 6th December there was a steam engine day trip to Lincoln to coincide with the city's Christmas Market. The locomotive was the Union of South Africa. I managed to get a few reasonable snaps as the train was entering our village of Heighington rail-space. I was caught unawares slightly by its speed: it was really motoring – or should that be training – as you can see by the horizontal steam trail.

In the previous week's gallery I showed you Mr Blackbird in our crab-apple tree: this week to maintain equality of the sexes it is the turn of Mrs Blackbird.

This view was taken during my recent nostalgia visit to my childhood home-town. Folkestone's inner harbour on 21st November 2014; a leaden and dispiriting morning. Can you spot the Martello Tower?

I've been trying to get an image that I believe portrays the concept of the bird and its habitat for the Woodpidgeon – I think this might just do it justice.

For this I like the title of 'Time for Thought'.

Sea-fishing on a grey, damp, misty, windy November morning, at 09:30 hrs. on the exposed Hythe beach. The grey-green sea looks arctic and aggressive. Surely they cannot find it an enjoyable experience?

This is a case of view one get one extra because I can't decide which is the better image. Which do you prefer?

I have shown you Mrs. B and then followed on with Woodie so today here they are together.

© Elliot Sampford

Photograph Gallery for the week ending 7 December 2014

Here are the daily photographs that I have published on Twitter and Facebook for this week. they are in day order. I hope you enjoy this varied selection of subjects.

The golden sun helped produce these leaves in the spring and summer. The autumn changes them from green to the many hues of of yellow showing the beauty of nature – even in death.

This is a pony I unexpectedly met during my walk. An equine is a new type of model for me to photograph. I shall have to go and say hello again.

After many dull and cloudy mornings it was pleasant to see this Woodpidgeon basking in the dawn light; waiting for us to put out its breakfast toast.

Having posted a picture showing the effect of dawn light: this is the sunset at the end of the same day.
  

Do you think Mr. Blackbird likes to perch in the crab-apple tree so as to co-ordinate the colour of the fruit with his eyes and beak?

I tried an experiment with the macro lens facility on my camera. The aim was to give an image of intimate detail of moss and lichen not normally seen as you walk pass. I think it worked.

I have shown you the pony I met during one of my walks. I went back a couple of days later to say hello again. It wanted to give me a welcoming kiss – I declined.

If you want to have a closer look at any of the photographs just click on the image.

© Elliot Sampford