I could only stand two hours of the Games. As Carole the BBC weather girl says it is “Scorchio”.
I am sneezing and my eyes are streaming and I feel dog rough. I do get Hay fever but usually only with Linseed and a bit with Oil Seed Rape. I haven’t seen either round here so it must be something else I don’t like.
The games Field was heaving with folk. I did get pictures but they don’t look good. I didn’t miss the big girls running. I wasn’t that ill. These are just pictures of other things I saw today.
A Coracle, I like water but I would think twice before getting in one of these.
This is a proper boat, a Shetland Yole.
I could do with one of these. This is a sturdy tripod. I dread to think what it cost.
I don’t know what these are called but it carries a posh camera a zooms about taking video. I would love one. Brilliant it is.
Lot’s of butterflies about today, this one was the only one I got. They rarely settle for more than a second or two.
These are a source of endless amusement. The juveniles following their mums about begging for food. I should have got a bit of video as she would relent and feed it then get fed up and chase it away. It’s a noisy business; Starlings can’t do anything quietly.
This daft frog was on the grass verge. It hopped onto the road so I carried it across and popped it over the wall. I just hope I carried it in the right direction. It is far too pretty to get squashed.
First thing this morning I eventually got a picture of one of these. They fly all day and usually stop with their wings folded and hide underneath leaves. They about 6mm long. They are common, there are hundreds here.
Have a good weekend, it’s forecast to rain hard here tomorrow.
I like the fact the bloke with the tripod has packed essentials in his camera bag, pack of Marlborough. I went in a oracle on the Avon a few years back, they're brilliant if a bit unnerving at first less likely to roll then a kayak. The drones are clever a bloke was using one round my way, he was able to track me and take video and photographs he was so high up I couldn't see it, very clever bits of kit if a bit worrying etc.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, he was just the Goffer. There were two camera men and a sound man. There was also a very nice Directeress. They had come from Holland. The cameras were something else. I did not like the look of that Coracle at all. It reminded me of the old joke.
Delete"What's the difference between Fosters and making love in a punt? Nothing they are both F'ing close to water.
A Drone, ta it's not only birds and flora I can't ID. I will look into these. The lads that flew it were Italian and didn't speak much English so I couldn't find out all about it. I'll investigate the matter but it looked expensive. I bet they are impossible to insure as well. This one looked as if it had suffered a bit from a battery fire.
I sympathise with you on the hay fever Adrian, I don't..didn't suffer with it much until this year...I've had an irritated/runny nose and eyes, a headache and flu like symptoms on/after many of my outings over the last couple of months.
ReplyDeleteThe tripod looks the business but what about the camera down by his feet...that would be handy too?
I reckon one of those drones would be right up your street, think of the fun you could have?...you could see into all sorts of places!
I hope the Frog appreciated your help and hasn't got to start crossing the road all over again?
The moth looks like a Beautiful China Mark (nymphula stagnata) ...[;o)
Hay fever is an intolerance to pollen, Yesterday I couldn't stop sneezing or get rid of a funny headache. My eyes wouldn't stop watering. Awful it is. Rosie the lass that runs this place said to drink lots of fizzy water with a lemon squeezed in. I tried it and it didn't do any harm.
DeleteI was chatting to a young lass who was interested in it. She said I bet the dirty sods are flying it over the dunes. I said they'll not see butterflies from that height. She said are yoos daft they'll be after looking at folk shagging.
I think interpreted his intended destination correctly. He was a wonderful specimen and it was a male as he had a club toe. I should have taken him home and popped him on the mirror. I never thought till just now.
For years I have kicked these up as I wander but I have yet to see a picture of one. There must be thousands of them, I have spent a couple of weeks trying to find out what they are and what they do. Thanks for the ID. I bet there are hundreds of tiny moths that are flitting about hiding under leaves. Generally making it hard to get a picture. Little devils. I may get a net and try and catch one.
Adrian, I know you can not have everything, but z, on boot that appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteBas, it is fun.
DeleteFun shots as always. I do like that boat and yes, a drone (that's what they're called) would be a hoot.
ReplyDeleteHilary they may look funny to you but I am trying my bestest. I do save good shots. I'm not going to put those up on my blog. I send them for print and then I have a hard copy. A drone? I thought they dropped bombs on folk. It looks good. there are one or two folk I wouldn't mind dropping something on.
DeleteFun (not funny) as in.. I enjoyed them. As always.
DeleteHilary....with me I srongly suspect there is little difference between fun and funny. I knew what you meant. I am just a bit funny.
DeleteThat quadcopter looks like a lot of fun. You could build one from an Arduino if you fancied a challenge!
ReplyDeleteAs for the moth, did you list the size wrong? To me it looks like Udea lutealis, but my book gives a size of 25mm.
Only just spotted "The Herald"'s comment, but I think the markings on the Beautiful China Mark are too dark for what you are seeing. It was my first thought, but a flick through my book and I think the Udea lutealis is more likely.
DeleteMark they are about a 1/4" long. They are a micro moth. I love the MP-E 65mm it can show things and reveal their beauty, pity I can't focus it. Just had a look at Udea lutealis. There is not very much information on them. I'll try for a definitive picture.
DeleteMark, quad copter, drone whatever. The hardware looks far too expensive to risk to my programming. I wouldn't mind building a little one...It did grab my attention. I think I mentioned that forty years ago I built a slope soaring, radio controlled glider, the receiver wouldn't fit in I had to rebuild the glider to accommodate the monster capacitor I needed to damp circuit oscillations or whatever they are called.
I can't work with Arduino. I still play with it but as with interval timers I find it's best to let those that know do and pay them.
If it really only is 6mm then it's neither of the suggestions as they are both too big. Strange though as it looks exactly like the photo of Udea lutealis in my book.
DeleteI agree, that I'm not sure I'd want to trust my programming skills to control that many whirling blades. Certainly not in a crowded area!
Mark, the day time flying moths are the very devil to identify. I guess that many haven't been. These are really small.
DeleteNo it took two blokes to fly this one. One working the camera. I think the camera was a posh little Sony. Sony do brilliant stuff but it tends only to work with Sony.
Adrian....Mark, I think you've got the ID on the moth, I wasn't 100% sure with my original 'guess' I should have taken more time and looked a little closer! My book has it with a 25mm wingspan....[;o)
DeleteTrevor it has occurred to me that not all the little moths will be the same.
DeleteHI Adrian Sorry to hear about your Hayfever. Perhaps if it rains tomorrow that will ease the situation. The other day I went out with a friend who asksed me to photograph (video) him flying his Phantom quadcopter and I was thinking you might have liked it. Eventually I will be showing you those shots and some of the video that he shot. There are very strict rules as to where you can fly it and at what height and you can be prosecuted if not complying with them. Anyhow, I love this post today. Some cracking shots. Love the Butterflies. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteWho enforces these rules?
This thing was carrying a kilo of camera on a controllable gimbal. The dogs business it was.
Look forward to seeing your video.
HI There are rules of the Civil Aviation Authority and recently someone was prosecuted by them. You might like to watch this short video laying out some of the rules. . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djS3Q0d7CcU Hope that helps.
DeleteMargaret, thanks for the link. Hardly any rules that matter. Common sense about covers it. The chap who was prosecuted was flying over a Navy Dockyard and then was daft enough to pop the film on Youtube. He really should be sectioned.
DeleteI've been in a coracle. You tend to go round and round in circles. They are pointless, in every sense.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
Frances, my tea is over done. Not to worry it's ribs and I've turned the oven off.
DeleteI used to salvage dive and free swim sea caves but no way does that basket covered in a bit of the outside of a sheep appeal. Bloody dangerous it looks.
Oblio and Arrow. The best record ever about pointlessness.
PS Harry Nilsson a great album.
DeleteHell's bells - if you ever get one of those helicopter cameras for aerial photography, they will have to post warnings on the local news - where ever you happen be.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Any chance of seeing some pictures of "Big Girls Running"? I have always liked... athletics.
YP, I have dozens I even asked the winner to pose. She is drop dead gorgeous and so is the runner up. Unfortunately they are an item. Item is a newish word to me. According to my mate James they is doing bad things he thinks they might be lesbians. They still look stunning though. At my age looks count.
DeleteSounds distinctly homophobic to me and homophobia is as reprehensible as Islamophobia, campervanphobia and midgophobia. To demonstrate that you are a free-thinking modern man who accepts everyone no matter what their religion, nationality or sexual orientation you will need to post a choice picture or two from your extensive "Big Girls Running" photo-library..
DeleteWill do YP.
DeleteI'll sort some out when the rain starts.
Other than the games being a bummer, you had a very good day. Some insects cooperated and sat still for a photo.
ReplyDeleteRed, I don't usually hav this much trouble with them. Early mornings they are usually drying their wings.
DeleteAdrian, please decide which you want most - a little flying saucer or a butterfly net. Don't get both, you'll end up locked up. And, I for one, would miss the entertainment.
ReplyDeletePauline the flying saucer is topping my wish list.
DeleteWhy did the frog cross the road?
ReplyDeleteBecause Adrian gave him no alternative!
DeleteYou've got it John.
DeleteThat tripod looks heavy as well as expensive. I'm not entering the micro-moth debate! Just to say I agree about how hard they are to photograph. Looking forward to seeing some big girls!!!
ReplyDeleteJohn, it is a few kilos but not as heavy as it looks. It's carbon fibre. The fluid head is the heavy bit. It matters little as they had a young lad to carry it.
DeleteThose helicopter things have piqued much interest, and I have been given to understand that they may not be as expensive as we might think. However, 'expensive' is a relative concept. :)
ReplyDeleteAC, I had a look this morning an Octocopter that can carry a DSLR is about US$7K. I think a good one could be built to carry a GOPro for about a grand you would have to add the cost of the camera, which is half as much again. Interesting but they do take two to fly.
DeleteLooks like you could start cheap with a mobile phone and some thin mdf/ply and build a Flone.
ReplyDeleteMark, I am tempted. Don't encourage my idiocy.
DeleteThey do look good. I don't have posh phones. I buy the throw away ones. I am old so use e-mail, cameras, phones are for talking and listening on. Keeps life simple.
I'm with you on the phone front. Mine cost about £10 and makes phone calls and allows me to text, nothing else. Means I don't care if it gets damaged, and if I want to take a photo I use a camera with a reasonable lens not some 5p sized piece of glass!
DeleteI somehow mange to get a phone et at least once a year. Last year I got two for twenty pounds. The lad in EE said do you want the SIM cards I didn't but took them anyway. Good job I did the last phone disaster set fire to the old SIM. I have lots still to go but am on my last phone. I see that Amazon are investing money in these drone machines. be fun getting a parcel delivered by a drone.
ReplyDeleteAmazing that they have been about so long and yet yesterday was the first time I'd seen one.
I've a hankering for a quadcopter. They are supposed to be easy to fly and look the ideal thing for a bit of aerial photography.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I've done a bit of research. A good one is an awful lot of money even if you build it yourself. They look a really good idea but I don't think you can fly them on windy days.
DeleteA friend in NZ had a quadricopter/drone/quadcopter/whatever and it looked a bit difficult to fly to me and I'd certainly want more practice if I had a camera underneath. They are great privacy busters. I have tried to steer a coracle. It was pretty stable and I didn't fall out as I did when my canoe decided to follow an eddy in a river when I was going round a fallen tree. The canoe went under the tree. I didn't.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I used to use a slalom canoe and descend fast rivers. Never done Kayaking.
ReplyDeleteI'll not be overflying anybody. The good ones are eight grand with the camera stabiliser and it takes two to tango with them. I was interested....It's surely good to be curious?
PS. My first thought was when I saw it. 'Fly it over the dunes.' Never know what sights it will see.
DeleteWas your Kiwi friend a bit pervy?
I like the nature pics. Did you know there are people who shoot videos (or stills) with kites also? But I think this method seems to work better.
ReplyDeleteMaria, never seen either before, this is a very posh machine. One man flies it and the other one works the camera.......Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAn unsuspecting bunch of shots from The Highland Games, didn't realise that it involved maritime activities as well.
ReplyDeleteLovely shot of the frog.
Jay, it is a very odd do. It is good though.
Delete