All images today are courtesy of the 135mm lens. Since switching to Canon I’ve been through a few lenses. Some are crap like the 17mm-40mm. Some like this one I like. Next week the 17mm-40mm is going and this was going to join it but not now. It gets recognisable pictures of birds, is light and can also get reasonably close. It stays. I really want the new 17mm tilt shift Canon lens but I’d have to sell Bertha. I’ve become attached to Bertha. Far too heavy to drag around but it does shut birders up and gathers light like there’s no tomorrow.
We have moved one valley north and are in Glen Nevis. I stopped at Morrison's in Fort William and got food. This time I remembered the Bells. Twelve days without a drink…..my head thought I’d turned into a Mormon or Methodist…. No wonder there have been some grumpy posts.
The feeders here are doing well. Siskin, House Sparrow and Chaffinch. I’m amazed at how many Siskin there are in this part of Scotland. Cuckoos too. Not seen one but wherever I go they are cuckooing away.
Twenty three degrees here. I took the dogs to the bar next door for a pint. The bar next door is not worthy of a post. It has carpets not flag stones and mountaineers are expected to remove their boots. There had to be one cloud on the horizon.
I’ll pop by again tomorrow. Have fun.
If you ever get rid of bertha me and the boys will have to pay you a visit:)
ReplyDeleteDouglas, I love prime lenses. She is here to stay but any of you southern 100mm-400mm Wussies can have a borrow. The lens hood is the size of a bucket,it weighs less cos it doesn't have a bottom. I have to have contract glass cleaners in for the front element, if you need filters for it they are £180.00p a go. So don't bend or buckle them. If you want a play then I'll let you know when I'm next down to see Hairy.
ReplyDeleteSuper shots of the flying bird. You have a neat intro and conclusion to this post. You've go to be sharp to get the ending!
ReplyDeleteRed, I had the beginning and ending from the start. I just filled the middle with gibberish.
DeleteI haven't heard a single Cuckoo this year. I usually hear one or two.
ReplyDeleteJohn, everywhere I've stopped in Scotland there has been at least one and usually two or three. I'd be happy as a pig in muck to get a picture.
Deletewe have had one or two cuckoo's around but no chance of seeing one. North south divide in camera gear.........im off to have a word with my Tory MP. Great read and photos Adrian.
ReplyDeletepeter
Peter, I don't know what we'd do without Southeners. Have to have a go at each other I suppose. Lancastrians are a bit odd when I think about it.
DeleteWell stop thinking about it and they won't be odd any more!
DeleteI was wondering how long it would take before I was brought to task.
DeleteThese are lovely, so crisp and terrific colours. I'm wondering if my daughter's monitor is better than mine!
ReplyDeleteProbably Pauline. I calibrated my screen and I suspect it is still far from perfect.
DeleteI do not know which bird is Adrian ... But he got it perfect. I like the pictures and the second, more :))
ReplyDeleteA hug.
Thank you Laura.
DeleteHi Adrain I love the fist photo. Looks so peaceful. Great Weather. Margaret
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I was lucky it was there to take...saved a lot of messing in Photoshop.
ReplyDeleteI heard a Cuckoo on Anglesey at the weekend...get yourself up the Glen Nevis road to the end and walk up to Steall Falls and the wire bridge. It's a lovely hanging valley to visit in good weather.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, They are on the list. It must e thirty years since I've walked the Waters of Nevis. There isn't much water at the moment but rain is forecast for today and tomorrow so Monday looks favourite.
DeleteTwo cuckoos in my vicinity Adrian but I've only ever seen one and it was several years ago and only once.
ReplyDeleteGraham, they are elusive birds. I've only ever seen one.
DeleteLovely shots Adrian.
ReplyDeleteI like the light on the gulls; which are Common Gulls. Sadly not as common as they once were.
Cheers Keith they ought to be called Rarish Gulls. A beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see blue skies! You've captured your observations just perfectly ~ glad to know you're enjoying yourself as well.
ReplyDeleteGlo, it's great when the sun shines.
ReplyDeleteThe second photo is just wonderful with the reflection and the light and colours. Lite the flower photo too, the way you captured the light.
ReplyDeleteMonica, I will have to stop pre booking. I'm in Glen Nevis and it leaves me cold.
DeleteGreat image of the moon and cloud, amazing! The flowers are amazing too, there's so much diversity, and each country has its own book!
ReplyDeleteMaria, the moon and cloud was serendipity. I enjoy seeing flora and fauna from different parts of the world.
DeleteAdrian, I added to my last post that with the 25mm extension tube, you lose the ability to focus at infinity. Once attached, you have to use the lens as a macro. Just wanted to make sure you understood that. I also attached the 25mm tube extender on the 100mm Canon macro and what it does is magnify .25x standing a foot away from the subject, which is great if you don't want to get that close to a flower or butterfly.
DeleteWith the 100mm, I first put the lens on manual mode and do the initial focusing. Then I turn on the AF on, and I'm able to use the autofocus feature which this tube permits. Other people use extension tubes and do all the focusing manually, however. I like to revert it to autofocus because I get the sound signal that I've locked-in on the focus point.
DeleteMaria, yes I understand. I manual focus most of the time, always for macro. I focus using either a Manfrotto or Velbron plate. If I'm too idle to take a tripod out I take pot luck. I'm thinking of swapping the focus screen to a prismatic one but I spot meter and one can't do that with many of the posh focus screens. If I can get stuff back home I shoot tethered life is easy then.
DeleteI don't like relying on the beep. It is often only nearly there.
Beautiful wiew Adrian..beautiful sky..Great images....
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle.
DeleteThank you Gert.
ReplyDelete