Wednesday 22 December 2010

The Big Freeze

snow on Ben Nevis

The U.K. is entering a new Ice Age, or so the media would have you believe. After a few inches of snow everyone's talking about The Big Freeze and the country has come to a standstill! :-)

Saturday 20 November 2010

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond

The view across Loch Lomond to the snowy slopes of Ben Lomond was the first sign of snow we spotted :-)

Ben Lomond

Saturday 13 November 2010

Scottish Rainbow

Rainbow in Scotland

I spotted this rainbow close to Kyle of Lochalsh on the way home from the Isle of Skye :-)

Rainbow in Scotland

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Fairy Glen

path up the rocky pinnacle, Fairy Glen

After walking round the pinnacle searching for an easier path I found a well worn track to the top :-) The view down to the hazel grove is quite spectacular.

Fairy Glen, the view from the top

Saturday 6 November 2010

Stardust: Kingdom of Stormhold

Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye

Stormhold is a magical kingdom close to the village of Wall in the movie Stardust. Fairy Glen on Skye is one of the many locations used. This rocky pinnacle is visible in several scenes. Do you think I can make it to the top? ;-)

Fairy Glen, Stardust, Isle of Skye

Tuesday 2 November 2010

The Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr, Skye

The Old Man of Storr is hiding in the mist. The 50m high basalt pinnacle was first climbed in 1955 by Don Whillan and James Barber.

Saturday 30 October 2010

Kilt Rock Waterfall, Skye

Kilt Rock Waterfall

I'm currently on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Kilt Rock Waterfall on the east coast is one of the most impressive, plunging 50m down to the sea :-)

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Yew Berries

yew berries

The dark green seeds of the yew tree develop first followed by the red flesh which almost surrounds them. Yew ranks high among the world's oldest trees. Notable examples include the Llangernyw Yew and the Fortingall Yew.

Saturday 23 October 2010

The Lake at Belton House

The Lake at Belton House

The gardens of Belton House near Grantham are fantastic. The lake isn't natural, having been dug for Sir John Brownlow 300 years ago.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Acorns

acorn

Was I the only child who used to collect acorns? :-)

acorn

Sunday 17 October 2010

Wasp's Nest

wasp's nest

While walking around the lake at Belton House I was surprised by the amount of wasps. Here's where they live :-)

Thursday 7 October 2010

European Yew

yew berry

The berries of the yew tree are one of the strangest I've seen, having an opening at one end.

Thursday 23 September 2010

Jupiter

Jupiter

Here's my latest attempt to take photos of the night sky, Jupiter and four moons.

Saturday 11 September 2010

Red Dragonfly

red dragonfly

This afternoon we visited Belton House near Grantham. While exploring the gardens I noticed a few red dragonflies hovering around the ponds, possibly Common Darters?

Monday 6 September 2010

Dragonfly or Damselfly?

damselfly or dragonfly?

dragonfly or damselfly?

I went for a walk along the River Witham yesterday and spotted these. Does anyone know what species they are? :-)

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Small Copper Butterfly

insect: small copper butterfly

I spotted this Small Copper in the garden and it kindly waited while I went to fetch the camera :-)

Wednesday 18 August 2010

East Gill Force

East Gill Force, Keld, Yorkshire Dales

East Gill Force is close to the Yorkshire village of Keld. The waterfall drops 4.5m shortly before East Gill meets the River Swale. We visited the falls yesterday after spotting them by chance on the map :-)

Sunday 8 August 2010

Hungry Caterpillars

tiny green caterpillar

These tiny green caterpillars have virtually stripped the leaves from the gooseberry bush :-( Unfortunately I haven't been able to identify them. Any ideas?

Sunday 25 July 2010

Thistledown

thistle down

Thistledown is the soft silky material attached to thistle seeds to enable them to float on the breeze. We used to call them thistle fairies and try to catch one to make a wish :-)

Tuesday 20 July 2010

Caterpillar Hunt

cinnabar caterpillars on ragwort, Senecio jacobaea

This morning I went on a caterpillar hunt, looking specifically for caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth. I found plenty of ragwort where the moth lays her eggs, but had to search for a while before I discovered a few caterpillars :-)

cinnabar caterpillars on ragwort, Tyria jacobaeae

Thursday 15 July 2010

Comma Butterfly

comma butterfly, Polygonia c-album

The ragged edge of this butterfly's wing caught my eye. It's a Comma, a species that almost became extinct in the U.K. Thankfully the population has recovered and they're common in the south-east. :-)

The Comma butterfly often lays eggs on currant leaves so I'll be watching for caterpillars on the blackcurrants!

Tuesday 6 July 2010

The Cinnabar Moth

Tyria jacobaeae, the cinnabar moth

the cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae

I first noticed a day-flying cinnabar moth a few weeks ago but as usual I was too slow to take a photo! Luckily I spotted another in the garden at the weekend. The caterpillars feed on ragwort and after a quick search I discovered a couple of plants at the end of the garden :-)

Thursday 1 July 2010

Duck

female duck

I can always rely on ducks. They're one of the few birds that don't fly off the moment I get my camera out! Swans, geese, seagulls and pigeons also seem to love having their photo taken :-)

Friday 25 June 2010

Oak Leaves

oak leaves

Something I enjoy about photography is how it makes me pay attention to the colours and shapes around me. Otherwise I'd never have noticed how red the oak leaves are at this time of year :-)

Sunday 20 June 2010

Buttercup Meadow

buttercup meadow

It's scenes like this meadow in Gloucestershire that make the buttercup one of my favourite wild flowers :-)

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Storm Clouds over Lincolnshire

lightening and storm clouds over Boston, Lincolnshire

After a fantastic weekend the storm clouds began to gather on Sunday evening. Here's the view to the west from Boston.

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Bumble Bee

bumble bee on flower

When I visited Prinknash Abbey last week the grounds were alive with bees going about their business. Unfortunately I can't identify this one. Any ideas? :-)

Thursday 3 June 2010

Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn

Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn Waterfall, Wales

For the last few days I've been camping in south Wales and couldn't resist visiting a few waterfalls. Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn (White Meadow Lower Waterfall) is hidden where Afon Mellte (The Lightening River) flows through a gorge.

Monday 24 May 2010

The Sphinx Stone, Millstone Edge

the sphinx stone, Millstone Edge, Derbyshire

When I spotted this weathered rock at Millstone Edge it reminded me of a reclining lion. It wouldn't surprise me to find out it's called The Sphinx Stone but as far as I know it's just a nameless rock. :-(

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Stanton Moor, Derbyshire

Stanton Moor, Derbyshire

Stanton Moor is a wild upland area between Matlock and Bakewell which was an important site in the Bronze Age. Nicholas Thomas's Guide to Prehistoric England lists more than 60 prehistoric features on Stanton Moor including The Nine Ladies stone circle.

Saturday 15 May 2010

The Cork Stone, Derbyshire

The Cork Stone, Stanton Moor

The strangely shaped Cork Stone on Stanton Moor is about 5m high and apparently a natural outcrop. Iron handholds have been added to make it easier to climb.

In 1789 Major Hayman Rooke recorded four standing stones surrounding the Cork Stone, but these have long since disappeared.

Wednesday 12 May 2010

The Andle Stone, Derbyshire

the Andle Stone, Twopenny Loaf, The Oundle Stone, The Anvil Stone

Derbyshire's Andle Stone is 5m high and stands in a field surrounded by a drystone wall. Among the modern graffiti at the top are cup marks, possibly contemporary with nearby stone circles Doll Tor and the Nine Ladies.

Friday 7 May 2010

Hunting Kestrel

Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus

The Kestrel is hovering over the fields watching for the slightest movement before diving down for the kill. :-)

Monday 3 May 2010

Lost Feather

feather

A few days ago I asked if anyone can identify a mystery nature photo. Amber, Sharkbytes, The Accessory Lady, Steve and Ville all recognised the close-up of a feather. Nice work :-)

Thursday 29 April 2010

Mystery Nature Picture

mystery picture

I spent the weekend camping in Derbyshire and here's one of the photos I took. Can you figure out what it is? ;-)

Sunday 25 April 2010

Two More Clear Nights

the Moon, 22 April 2010

the Moon, 22 April 2010

The night sky was clear again on 21 / 22 April so here are the next two in the sequence. :-)

Friday 23 April 2010

The Moon, Two Clear Nights

the Moon on 20 April 2010

the Moon on 19 April 2010

The sky has been clear most nights this week so I've taken the opportunity to stand outside staring at the moon! These two are from 19 / 20 April :-)

Wednesday 21 April 2010

Dandelion

dandelion, Taraxacum officinale

I'm sure the lawn will be more dandelions than grass before long. They're spreading like wildfire :-)

Sunday 18 April 2010

Crescent Moon, 17 April 2010

crescent moon from 17 April 2010

Taking photos of the Moon is becoming at obsession! This is the best of about 10 shots I took last night. I used the tripod and self-timer, f/5.8, ISO-64, exposure time 0.25 secs, exposure bias -2, max aperture 3.44. :-)

Wednesday 14 April 2010

English Daisies, Bellis Perennis

Common Daisy, Bellis perennis

Most gardeners consider daisies a weed, but I don't mind them growing all over the lawn. :-)
Related Posts with Thumbnails