Menorca

For the first time, we sampled the delights of a holiday abroad and the island of Menorca. This quiet unspoilt island was as the brochures described with a typical mediteranean feel. Anumber of outstanding photo opportunities and having taken over 160 pictures initially, I have selected the best to post here.

So taken with the island, we have promised to return next year.

Flowers !

The first picture was taken at Ickworth house, a favourite spot fairly local to me, to see some great flowers. The bee happened to fly into the shot just as I was about to take the picture. I must admit that I was waiting a little while as there were plenty of bees, butterflies and flies about on that day. Just a shame he is not facing me. I suppose you can't have everything!

The picture below is one of my favourite flowers. I love the blue colour and they seem so delicate.

Sunday in the Garden

You don't have to travel miles to take a picture.

Just by looking a little closer to home there is a whole world waiting to be photographed.

I sometimes feel a little guilty about sitting in the garden when the sun is out, thinking I should be out and about, exploring and photographing.

But sometimes you just need a lazy day.

Today was one of those days.

But I still had the bug and wanted to take some pictures.

Then I saw that a patch of the garden was alive with insects.

So I could not resist...

Not far from where I live is an area, that many years ago was excavated to provide a flood defence for the town during times of prolonged or heavy rainfall. This area is known as the floodpark and over the years it has developed and matured. To the credit of those that manage this area, it has turned into a haven for wildlife. Not only the geese and ducks that frequent the lake, but I have also seen herons, woodpeckers, and many other varieties of birds.




I took these pictures late one evening when the flood defences were not required !

2 Days in Kent

It's been a while since I wrote or posted any pictures of some worth. Time has been limited with very little time to look at my camera let alone pick it up and point it at anything! Well this may be cheating slightly as I originally was only going to post pictures in and around the fine county of Suffolk. However after a recent excursion to Kent, I just could not resist.

We stayed at Maidstone though we did visit a fine part of the Kent countryside in the form of Knoll. An outstanding deer park and country house. The house was a little disappointing the the park more than made up for it. The deer as you can see were only too happy to pose for a snap or two.

Day Two was spent in Canterbury itself. The town centre is very quaint and served by an excellent Park and ride system. The buildings were stunning and worthy of a pic especially the building with this odd door way. I can not imagine how it opens or closes.

I have visited a number of cathedral towns and cities and I think Canterbury is unique in that it charges admission to the grounds of the cathedral. Within the confines of the wall it is impossible to take a picture of the cathedral without paying for the privilege.

There was however still plenty to see and photograph including the perhaps seedier side of the town....!

Cambridge

What a day its has been today...what a scorcher. Unusually for me I was up early this Sunday morning as I had to make a trip into Cambridge. Therefore I was parked up by 09:30. After a brief terrifying bus journey - the driver had been to Nigel Mansells school of motoring - made it to Cambridge town centre.

The morning was spent wandering around 'the backs' and along the river taking a few photos.

The main picture is of a clock in a shop window opposite Kings College. Couldn't resist the colours and the reflections. I think it works...!

Butterfly

Some pictures just seem to happen...I was in the back garden on Saturday when I noticed this small white butterfly flying from leaf to leaf, settling each time for a couple of minutes. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures...about 20 or so to be precise. The end result is probably one of my best to date of an insect. Just goes to show you do not have to travel miles to create a great picture....some can be just as effective taken a bit closer to home.

Weekend In Norfolk

Its been a while since I last put pen to paper, or should that be fingers to keys?

Anyway last weekend we had a fantastic weekend in a small village in Norfolk called Sweffling. I managed to take 115 pictures over the three day stay. This picture being one of them. I woke up very early one morning just as dawn was breaking. I took my camera and tripod outside and it was only 05:00hrs and there was still a thick frost. Anyway braving the cold and very early morning was well worth it. The result a stunning coloured sky as the sun rose above the tree line. I would add that I was outside for about an hour...then went back to a warm bed.

Lincoln

Well, last weekend we had a nice break in a stunning part of the country. Saturday we visited the National Trust property Belsted House - where Pride and Prejudice was filmed. Big house, large gardens and huge grounds which incorporated a Lake.

The House was very grand but a lot of the interior was mock i.e. marble interiors were actually painted. The Chinese room was trimmed with bamboo door frames and dado's - this was wood painted to look like bamboo, very effectively. It show that all is not as it seems sometimes.

After spending the night at a Hotel in Lincoln the next day was spent exploring Lincoln itself. Great place. The Cathedral is majestic on top of the hill. And the 'Steep Hill' leading up to the castle and cathedral quarter, is in itself a quaint feature. With old shop fronts, cobbled streets and spectacular views of the city.

With this picture of the cathedral I tried to capture its vast size and imposing towers. I was very pleased with the result.

Easter Bank Holiday

Well, its Easter Bank Holiday once more...and even more chocolate to eat !! Mmm...

I woke up this morning and the sun was out and it was extremely warm. I am sitting here in a T-shirt and three quarter length trousers, this is the first time they have been out of the wardrobe this year...not that I want to start talking about the weather.

Anyway, after completing a few household chores this morning, the intention was to sit in the garden or go for a walk and take my friend - 'the camera'. Hopefully take some pictures of the countryside bathed in glorious sunshine. Not to be. It is now cloudy and a little cooler, though I am determined to keep these clothes on and revert back to the winter woolies.

Anyway I did grab this quick picture in the garden this afternoon during a brief sunny spell. It was taken using Macro setting, and cropped tightly using a new piece of software that is free to all - Google Picasa 3 - and framed using PhotoFiltre. By the way Picasa 3 is extremely easy to use and also creates this Blog.

Now, where did I leave my chocolate....!

Second Entry: Ickworth

Its so nice to get out and about after, what always seems to be a long winter. I for one can not wait for the clocks to go forward. Lighter evenings, earlier sunshine streaming through the window when you wake up. It makes for so much brighter, crisper colours in the pictures. Ok, you don't want every picture you take to have clear blue skies and vivid colours but it does look good.

I am starting to experiment with different lighting conditions, but the winter skies of overcast grey, agian doesn't make for a very dramatic backdrop. I will be looking for early morning light, which is naturally warmer in colour, with perhaps a bit of mist / fog in the air. Or an impressive storm cloud on the horizon. The late evening sunset, with very long shadows makes for dramatic pictures, but equally difficult to capture as the lighting has to be just right. Plus you need to be in the right place.

Having said all that the picture of Ickworth House, nr Bury St Edmunds was the first time I had used my camera in good lighting conditions and produced strong, bold colours and a great blue sky. Very pleased with this one.

First entry: Day One

I have created this Blog to share with those, who may be remotely interested, my passion for photography. I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures. I am not one of those that intends to specialise in any one subject. The thrill I find is being able to try and create high quality pictures, better than the average snap shot, of any given subject. Although I personally do not feel comfortable in a front of a camera, trying to force a smile, and perhaps that is why I prefer to try and take candid pictures of people and not to put them through the painful experience that I try and avoid at all costs.

Anyway, I have recently purchased a new camera Fuji Finepix S100FS and I have been busy experimenting with a variety of subjectsm exposures, settings and just trying to become familier with it so as to capture those special moments.