New era

I've been thinking about getting a proper camera for a long time, and I've finally done it. I served my digiscoping apprenticeship and decided it was about time I jumped on the DSLR bandwagon.

These are early days. I haven't got a clue of which settings to use; I just know I need to get close. It's not been hugely successful so far, but it's great fun - feels like the photographic equivalent of go-karting!

Now I just need to find some nice, cooperative birds.

And so, at The Lodge this morning...

Blue Tit. Some nestbox inspection going on


Robin preening

Frosty ivy berries



Dunnock singing

Bramble leaves

Wouldn't be complete without some sunlit leaves, would it?

And from yesterday...

Greylag Geese

Bullfinches munching on ash keys

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, Extender EF 1.4x II

Not far from home

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995

Red, orange, pink

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995

Sleeping beauties and other things

When I got to work this morning, it was beautifully sunny. Cold, but sunny, so I went for a quick walk around the garden. I found these wasps clinging to the ivy flowers for dear life. They were almost completely still, except for a few wiggling antennae and twitching thoraces.




I went back at lunchtime and found lots more wasps, looking much more lively, feeding on the ivy nectar. At this time of year, it must be a lifeline for them.

Vine leaves on the turn






Common Darters are still around in good numbers. Every day, I think 'they'll all be gone tomorrow', but it hasn't happened yet.

Red Admirals are probably the most numerous butterflies

Several Commas seen today, too.

Holly berries

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995

Autumn at Woodwalton

Rosehips

Acorns

Result of some kind of gall wasp infestation?

Red leaves

Common Darter - the only dragonfly species we saw today. Most were going around in tandem

Phragmites

Sunlight shining through a bit of bark peeling off a branch

Sloes

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995