It has been bright sunny and cool with barely a breath of wind from dawn till dusk. An excellent day.
This morning I took the dogs a walk. The horses were acting the fool in the crisp frosty air, galloping around us and kicking and bucking. I think they thought spring had sprung; I hope they still have all their shoes on as the ground is very soft. I’ll no doubt hear if they’ve shed any. It will, without doubt, be my fault.
I then had a couple of hours trying to create 3D light swirls in Blender 3D so that I can animate them for a posh Christmas card. I can get them to grow along a path and taper as they grow so the job went better than I expected. I’ll try and get a shape I like tomorrow and save it. If I try and do a couple of hours a day then after a fortnight I should have enough artwork to build a reasonably interesting card.
During Marlboro breaks I took a snap or two of birds enjoying the sunshine.
After lunch I decided to forego my siesta and have a wander along the shore of Loch Leven. There is an RSPB reserve here called Vane Farm. I searched in vain for anything other than Mallard and Mute Swans. The Geese had left for the day. They have just completed a path that circumnavigates the Loch but it is too far for me to walk. I did a few miles then turned round and retraced my steps. It looks as if it will be a really good place in a few years as the path is a few hundred yards from the loch and they have left the strip with a few scrapes dug out protected by windbreaks and deer fence with fine steel net at the bottom. That should stop Mink, Stoats and rats from bothering the nesting birds.
I got back to the car park just as thee sun set.
A perfect end to a perfect day.
I agree about the light ~ I thought you might have filled those two of the birds with a flash at first. Good luck with the Christmas card!
ReplyDeleteCarol, diffused flash would do it. Easier to have the sun do it. I spot meter of green and then I'm away. just a bit of colour correction to lift the job.
DeleteThe card will be down to perseverance. I hope I have it in bundles.
You can't beat it, the sun while sitting on the banks of Loch Leven. Ah, those were the days.
ReplyDeleteBob, it is usually misty and damp but it was beautiful today.
DeleteHi Adrian! It look like spring!
ReplyDeleteLaura, it doesn't feel like spring.
Delete:-)
DeleteThe Robin and Blackbird look great in the sunlight. The third image is most definitely for birds, nesting holes high enough to prevent predation. Possibly Goldeneye as they nest in holes in trees trunks, I'd have said Sandmartins but the log pile doesn't fit in, maybe Shelduck too
ReplyDeleteDouglas, the holes are only about an inch diameter. I thought they were for Sandmartins but the log bit confused me.
DeleteI wish more people would get out and walk until dark. The world would be better off. Just think if all politicians walked every day how much better off we'd be. Then if somebody walks with a camera it would be a bonus.
ReplyDeleteRed, it is rare for the weather to be nice enough. It's turned cool here. Not your cool but it is jacket weather.
DeleteBuen paseo Adrian. Se fue el sol y salió la luna.
ReplyDeleteGracias por el tracductor, ahora mejor:))
Un abrazo.
Laura, una hermosa tarde.
DeleteEstoy feliz de que el traductor está trabajando
Sounds like there's a lot of hard (brain?) work going into that Christmas card Adrian? I'm looking forward to seeing the results!
ReplyDeleteI reckon that wooden structure, given that the holes are on the small side for birds, is a rather fancy bee/bug hotel. I hope it does what it's meant to do as it looks like there's been a lot of effort put into it... it would be interesting to find out what it is?....[;o)
Trevor, it is always one step forward and two back with me. This time I am organised, I have a note book and pencil and am writing down what I've pressed and what I've saved stuff as.
DeleteIt could be for bees. I'll ask at Vane Farm next time I'm there.
Adrian, I've just done a little research and.....Vane Farm is home to the world's first Bumblebee sanctuary. In the summer the specially planted wild flower meadows hold many different species of Bumblebee including the rare Blaeberry Bumblebee. So, I guess I guessed right?...[;o)
DeleteTrevor, I'm sorry. I asked this morning in the garage and was told that's what it was by the lad working on my van. I should have e-mailed you straight away. It is as you say a Bumble Bee Hotel.
DeleteHI Adrian Yes Ithought a \ssand Mart
ReplyDeleteHI Adrian Sorry pressed wrong button!! Yes I thought Sand Martin possibly however if the holes are really small then Trevor could well be correct. Now we all want to know!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I'll have to go down to the RSPB shed and ask what it is for.
DeleteThe bold Robin's antics made me laugh. You always wanted to get close in to photograph the birds.
ReplyDeleteJohn, it is very tame as it lives in the garden here. I felt it land in the lens hood. Little devil.
DeleteAdriaan what a wonderful atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteBas, a wonderful day.
DeleteA prefect day....you can't have better than that, Adrian.
ReplyDeleteFrances, one can't and the horses were all still shod when they came in in the evening.
Deletepretty sunset. Glad you had a nice day. Say hi to Alf and Mol
ReplyDeleteR. Mac, I will do.
DeleteVery nice day! Have a great week Adrian!
ReplyDeleteRuby, it was. You have a good time.
DeleteAnd now I know what a bumble bee hotel looks like. I have to add my lavender bushes do the same job and are a lot more attractive. Like your evening shot.
ReplyDeletePauline, it does seem a little excessive but I assume the conservation folk know what they are doing.
Delete