ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Monday 3 June 2013

FORGET-ME-NOT. (03/06/13)

_V0G6746 copy   Forget-Me-Not. I’m still in Glen Nevis and it’s a place that hasn’t inspired me. This is a big site and not really my cup of tea. I’ve walked twice a day but walking is limited to a grand path up the river side but with few photo opportunities or the ascent of Ben Nevis which is very crowded and in any case beyond me these days.

We spent yesterday annoying Treecreepers. I did get a snap or two but they were only fit for the bin. Good to see them though.

_V0G6751 copy   This afternoon I went butterflying as I saw several Green Veined Whites this morning.  This looks like a Large White but it’s half the size. It’s also a pretty appalling picture. That’s been the story of the last few days.

The House Sparrows and Siskin, aided by Chaffinch are emptying the feeders in less than a day. The young keep flying into the van and have to be caught and pointed in the right direction. This has become such a regular occurrence that the dogs now only stir enough to open one eye.

_V0G6701 copy    These are quite capable of using the feeders but still sit fluttering their wings and begging from mum…..when they aren’t fluttering round the inside of the camper that is.

_V0G6715 copy   She just gets one fed and another flies in.

I’m moving up to Inverness tomorrow. It does seem churlish but I shan’t be back here. I’m hoping that a visit to Ffordes photographic emporium and a bit of sea air will invigorate me. A week today I have a ferry crossing booked to the Outer Hebrides where I’m assured that both Cuckoos and Hooded Crows are used to being hand fed….I exaggerate a little perhaps. At least I’m told one can see the latter and the former are not half a mile away.

The entertainment here is provided by a male sparrow displaying to the chicks. I keep the camera switched on but he is camera shy. Not surprised…disgusting behaviour! He must be a Catholic bird. I’ll wind this post up now and write to the Pope. See if he can get him plucked.

Have fun.

 

28 comments:

  1. There may be few photo opportunities Adrian but at least the Sparrows are keeping you entertained, and busy!...lets hope Inverness has something to inspire you?
    Can I feel a spending spree coming on in that camera store?
    It's a Green-veined White btw....[;o)

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  2. Trevor, yes. It could be a disastrous morning. I've had my eye on a decent 25mm lens for a while and they have a choice. I really don't use the Canon 17mm-40mm anymore. Canon's tilt shift 25mm looks the pick of the bunch but it's very expensive. Zeiss do a canon fit ZE lens for a bit less but the results aren't as good.
    I think it must be a female as It looked like a Green Veined from underneath..stunning they are but it didn't have the two black spots on it's wing.
    Glad you could tell from that fuzzy picture.

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    1. I got a 15mm Sigma f/2.8 recently. I owned the 17-40mm from Canon and found it soft at the corners even when stopped down, but it could have been my copy. It would also be a fish eye for your full frame but of my crop factor it works great. You might want to check the Sigma primes or zooms; they cost almost half the money and they make them f/2.8 for the most part. The 15mm got good reviews but it's a fish eye for a full frame.

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    2. Maria, It's soft everywhere. Lots of barrel distortion and chromatic fringing. It's a awful lens.
      I've had some good Sigma lenses but also some awful ones. They don't take knocks but are cheap to repair.

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  3. Drove past Ffordes yesterday. They seem to be doing really well and have recently expanded their shop to fill the ground floor of the building. We were on our way to Gen Affric. A beautiful spot and well recommended.

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    1. Annie, I'm glad Ffordes are in the back of beyond. I couldn't drive past.
      I'm up here for a year or more maybe. Glen Affric is on the list.

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  4. Hi Adrian I just love the wonderful blue forget me nots. beautiful photo. Margaret

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    1. Margaret, it could have been sharper but they are a beautiful little flower.

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  5. Gottta love when the young bird do their "feed me.. I'm helpless" act. Frank's 8 year old parrot still does that with him. It's pathetic. Lovely photos all around, Adrian.

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    1. Hilary, the parrot will outlive you both. It has a right to be a baby.

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  6. I love the Forget-Me-Nots! The sparrows' behaviour is very nice too. Now did you shoot those with Bertha?

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    1. Maria, not with Bertha. I use a prime old 135mm Canon lens for wandering with. sometimes pop a 2x teleconverter on it. I've not been in the mood for setting up with all the macro gear.

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  7. Shame the campsite didn't suit you, those House Sparrows would've kept me entertained for at least a week. But that's the beauty I guess of owning a motorhome if the site or neighbours annoy you upsticks, I'm going to go out on a limb and say you'll enjoy Inverness I have many fond memories of the place

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    1. Douglas, it's probably just me being out of sorts.
      The Sparrows have provided endless entertainment.

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  8. lovely Forget me nots Adrian, they are so small and not easy to capture.Good luck with the move.

    peter

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    1. Peter, they are minute. I should get the big macro lens on them.

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  9. The Forget-Me-Not are lovely. Love how the sparrow in the middle of the last shot is totally unimpressed!

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    1. Pauline, all it is interested in is food.

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  10. You wouldn't care for my scaring away the house sparrows. They are nasty little birds that eat other birds eggs.

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    1. Red, I don't think these here are nest raiders. I could be wrong though.

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  11. Hi Adrian....The Forget-me-not photo is so lovely!!
    Your post are always of great interest, and I won't forget you not ; )
    Grace

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    1. Grace they are only a few millimetres across but they are beautiful.
      Forget me? I should hope not.

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  12. All...stunning!
    That is why I Love to come here...tehhre is always something fo me to admire...
    Hugs
    BShell
    blueshell.azurara.net

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    1. You have a hug too and keep on blogging.

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  13. Love the sparrow with its wings outspread and the Forget-me-nots.

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    1. The sparrows have provided endless entertainment. Forget-me-Nots are a beautiful little flower.

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