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

Thursday 27 March 2014

ADRIAN, HIS BED. (27/03/14)

This is my bed. It is also a work of self expression and one of the best examples of fine art you will see today.

_MG_3266  I wish it were only my bed, it gets a bit cramped but they do keep me warm on chilly nights. People that have time to make beds are the sort of people that make time to get out of the shower for a tiddle. I wouldn’t usually post anything this sordid but FRANCES posted about Tracy Emins bed. The post had twenty or thirty comments the majority from envious ladies. Tracy Emin is a stunning lady, she has one of the most expressive faces I’ve seen. She could keep me happy and entertained for an hour or two.

Yesterday I took Bertha out to show her some birds. I lugged her down behind a rock, threatened the dogs with disembowelment, set up the tripod, mounted camera and lens, looked up and the birds had buggered off.  I repeated this in various locations then thought the ungrateful feathered creatures could go and moult. I took Bertha back to the van and popped some seeds on a post where I could see them. The wind blew the seeds away. I really will have to get rid of Bertha, she is a waste of time in my hands.

_MG_3260     I know some of you will have seen her before but for those that haven’t then here she is. Too big for me.

_MG_3264     Sunset yesterday. It wasn’t brilliant but it was much better than rain.

It is a grand day here. Tomorrow I have to do cleaning, laundry and shopping. Saturday we are going to have a look at the Ardnamurchan peninsular where there may or may not be internet.

 

47 comments:

  1. What a life! What a landscape! (Perhaps you should send Bertha to Tracy Emin as a token of admiration.)

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    1. Lucy, life has it's good times. If Tracy wanted a lens like this she will already have one.

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  2. Adrian, I loved the video - the dogs and the music. It is incredibly beautiful there.

    Your bed resembles my bed minus the dogs but plus a cat - sometimes. For some reason he changes his sleeping places every 2-3 days.

    In your comment, previous post...I have never seen lichen here but as we both know I have not yet learned to observe nature. Since my idea of the great outdoors is opening a window, that is not likely to improve but I will look for lichen if I'm ever out. The air quality should be good here unless it is suffering from automobile exhaust.

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    1. David, it is a grand place when you can see anything but driving rain.
      Get out with a magnifying glass and look at tiny plants. they always amaze me.

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  3. That sunset is exceptional. The warm colors descending into the cold works really well. You're dogs are super cute, and I think all dog owners know that look and behavior! :)

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. Mersad, it has been a good week for sunsets.
      The dogs are usually good but.........................

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  4. stunning landscape! I clicked on the link you provided. Having not heard of Tracy, I was curious. Now, having seen what she and deranged people consider art, I do not need to remember her name! In an olden day's language, she must be quite the tart.

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    1. Norma, I'm deranged but I would be surprised if Ms Emin is a tart.

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  5. Geeesh Bertha is a beastie! I stunned at how drawfed she makes the camera look.

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    1. Hilary, I take her out and folk are doubled over laughing at me doubled over under her weight.

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  6. I think Bertha needs a little more gentle coaxing Adrian, I'm sure if you persevere, she'll come around to your way of thinking in the end?
    I think you're under a misapprehension that it's your bed.... just look at the expression on their faces!
    Like the video, and the music, it's a lovely place you're leaving. Have a safe journey to the next stop...[;o)

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    1. Trevor, I am loathe to let anything beat me but as you have seen she does take the edge of a days birding.
      The dogs know it is their bed. I have to fit in around them.

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  7. If you want to photograph birds you will have to get a portable blind, it's not the camera that's scaring away the birds it's you behind the camera that is doing the scaring part. Even smaller lenses can have the same effect. I've watched a few birding videos on television, and that's what they say is the problem for most birders. Also the blind has to be there for a few days so the birds can get used to it.

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    1. Horst, the tide would wash it away.
      I can get pictures with her but she is just too heavy to make life comfortable. I'll have to give the Marlboro or the lens up.

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  8. I've never been a bed-maker myself, except when forced to be. I read a study recently that claimed dust mites prefer a made bed to an unmade bed, and I cite it whenever my significant other encourages me to be more orderly. Somehow, she still wins the debate, despite my scientific evidence in favor of messiness.

    Beautiful scenery, and I loved the video. The sunset was nice, too; the way the six rays emanate from the sun is just about perfect.

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    1. Nathaniel, the dogs don't mind the mess and no one else cares.
      There should be eight rays as they are caused by the diaphragm in the lens. If I didn't want the rays I have to open the lens right up to f2.8 or f4.

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  9. Beautiful scenery in the video!

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    1. Monica, it is a gem of a place. A pity to move on really as Kilchoan doesn't look half as good.

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  10. Adrian - never mind the shopping etc for tomorrow. The first thing you should do is sort out that bed. Or offer it to Charles Saatchi? Then you could buy a yacht.

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    1. Frances, it was you asked for a peek. If you look I have a new duvet ready for spring. The stuff that gets dumped in there you wouldn't believe. There is a medium format camera, a television that doesn't work and never has. Two lap tops and a big box of maps. There used to be a field mouse that Molly brought in but I drew the line at that. It took some catching.
      No the old wife beater has all the art he needs. I don't want a yacht, it wouldn't suit the dogs.

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  11. If the birds didn't play ball for you and Bertha, at least the sun did.
    Enjoyed the video too.

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    1. Keith, it's been great weather for a few days now.
      Pity a tripod leg sunk into the sand the video is a bit on the skew. It does give an idea of the place.

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    2. Thinking about this bed business, I think you could be on the start of something.
      Posts of our beds.
      'Bloggers Beds' has a great ring to it.

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    3. Great idea Keith. We could do it on a Sunday and have a Blessing of the Bed day.

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  12. That bed is a high work of camouflage. One can't tell if it's made or just art. Now when you move will there be birds. I want to see what Big Bertha can do with birds. Surprise us.

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    1. Red, it is definitely Art. I'm the artist and say so.
      Okay I'll have another go at the birds.

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  13. So peaceful Adrian. Lovely. And I can see why you have two dogs - not just one. They engage each other without always having to look to their master as a single dog would do.

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    1. YP, it is one of the finest areas in the world. It is a blessing that the weather is so inclement or the coast would be covered in high rise hotels.
      The dogs gang up against me. I did buy Moll but inherited Alf. It works fine for most of the time.

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  14. The camper an looks lonely on the camp site. My mother inherited her two dogs too.

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    1. Carol, I like lonely.
      Sorry about the video. I didn't forget but couldn't find HTML mode in Windows Live Writer which I compose my posts in. It used to be there. I'll google it for next time.

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    2. The video was just fine this time Adrian ~ played fine.

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    3. Carol, that is odd. I didn't do anything different. I'll copy the posts into Blogger Compositor and have a look what the difference is in HTML.

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  15. I have a similar problem with my greyhounds and my bed, no point in closing the door as they always open it and sneak in, nothing worse then waking uo to a dead leg from where the greyhound has been sleeping on it...still at least I can blame the dogs for the smells during the night.

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    1. Douglas, Alf can get up on his own. He thinks the duvet is for drying himself on. If Alf gets up then Moll squeaks so I put them up before I turn in now.
      Yes the atmosphere can get a bit thick. It's Alf that gets the blame. I wonder how long it will be before cameras can record smell and the internet can transmit it?

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  16. hi Adrian Well I had to have a look over at Frances' blog at her bed. Pow! You bed wins. More colour, more messy and having the 2 dogs as a feature is fantastic. As you say, it's only you and the dogs see it and the dogs love it. Now I watched the video. It was wonderful to see such beautiful scenery and the last shot of the sunset is stunning. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Margaret, I don't think it's Frances' bed. It would have a horse in it. I do have to have a clean round now and again. Alf's mum calls from time to time as does my estranged beloved. I usually take the dogs a walk and let them get on with it. All cameras will give a star burst if you use a small aperture, the number of rays depends upon the number of blades in the diaphragm.
      You have a wonderful time in the Irish mist and rain.

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  17. Adrian! I have no words, it's simply beautiful and a free sensation, wonderful place !
    Really pageful and so nice, the dogs are too cute :-)

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  18. ... i forget to say that the video it's very very nice well done!

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    1. Laura, the weather is brilliant though it is still hat and big coat cold. The wind is the problem.
      The video is not as good as it could be. I'm getting to enjoy doing them. If I sell Bertha I may buy a fluid tripod head and a lighter long lens.

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  19. Your dogs make it all the more cozy and cheerful. I knew Bertha was like that. Have you tried using a Wimberley Head? I thought these heads made it easier for maneuvering these lenses.

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  20. Maria, i tried the Wimberley it weighed almost as much as the lens so I spent the money on a Benro. Smooth as silk on a top end Gitzo. It's just me. I'm too old to hump the amount of gear about.

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  21. Que a gusto están en tu cama;-)
    Con esa cámara ya se pueden hacer buenos videos. Me gusta la puesta del sol.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Los perros me poseen. Ellos saben que gobiernan la furgoneta. perros traviesos

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  22. I've come to the conclusion that those two pooches are the luckiest in the UK. I cannot imagine any life for a Westie which could be better. I had no idea that there were Cuillins on Mull.

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    1. Graham, they are a bit spoilt. I didn't know of the Cuillins of Mull till the lass at Arisaig called them that. I looked them up and as always she couldn't be gainsaid.

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  23. What a fantastic vantage point .... errr .... not your bed but where your van is parked.

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    1. Jay, it is one of the best. I think Durness is better but not by very much.

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