Outside of my office window 2

Snow!

The drive in to work was interesting as the back roads had not been gitted.  Glad I had remembered to put my camera into the boot of the car.

I saw waxwings for the first time during the last spell of heavy frosts, but did not have my camera with me.  Per the RSPB website these are not common.  http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/index.aspx 

Today I was treated to a small flock of 20 birds spending about 2 hours feeding on the Rowan tree outside of my office window.  The flock sat in a taller tree just down the road and small groups would take it in turns to come and feed.

The images were taken using a 40-150mm lens at 150mm.  As the camera is a four-thirds format this is the equivalent of 300mm on a 35mm camera.  Taken through an open window.

150mm, 1/250th, F5.6, ISO200

150mm, 1/125th, F8, ISO200

150mm, 1/250th, F8, ISO200

150mm, 1/125th, F11, ISO200

150mm, 1/125th, F11, ISO200

Outside of my office window

This morning was quite special as I drove to work.  The muted colours as the sun rose followed by crisp blue skies.  What a pity the best is saved until you cannot stop.

Images taken from my office window.  Thought I would try with a long lens - exposures taken between 100-150mm.  As I am using a four-thirds system this gives an equivalint to 200-300mm with a 35mm camera.

Snow and mist at the Gravel Pit

Sunday - hoping for a bright clear day with some sun to make the snow and frost glisten.  Oh well fog and mist will have to do. These are from the same walking route that I took for the images at http://21ian23.blogspot.com/2010/10/dawn-at-hilton-gravel-pits-sssi.html with similar health and safety concerns.  Need to take additional care because of the snow and cold.

All appear muted, but that was what the day was like, even at it's highest the sun never broke through. everything very grey.

20mm, 1/30th, F8, ISO100

35mm, 1/60th, F8, ISO100

15mm, 1/30th, F8, ISO100

33mm, 1/30th, F8, ISO100

The camera sensor has actually picked up some detail from the far shore of the frozen lake - more than could be seen with the eye. 

15mm, 1/30th, F8, ISO100

36mm, 1/30th, F8, ISO100

26mm, 1/30th, F5.6, ISO400

Standing still long enough raised a level of curiosity among the sheep (that and the cold) which have always been very skittish in the past.

26mm, 1/30th, F5.6, ISO400

17mm, 1/250th, F4, ISO200

Swad lights

Light Switch on at Swadlincote is an all day event.  During the day I aimed to take reportage style pfotographs hoping to capture something of the event and preperation for the evening.  Later in the evening the aim was to take a series of longer exposures to capture the motion of the fair ground rides so I would be adding a tripod to the equipment.

Photographing in a public place is legal, but does cause some concern so I would wear my work ID so that people could see who I was and that I had something to do with the event.  Based on previous years there was the potential for large crowds so I would need to bear this in mind with regard to heath & safety for both myself and the public.