Following on from the huge success of the "Show us your bird and wildlife photos" thread (some 31 pages and a staggering +1500 posts), I thought it time to start a "part 2".

 

As we don't always have the opportunities to take bird or wildlife photos, but nonetheless might be taking great photos of other things, I  thought a broader approach might encourage even more people to share their top photos. 

 

They can be anything to do with nature, landscapes, outdoors, indoors, superb holiday snaps - basically, whatever. If you think it's a good photo and you want to share it, this is the place.

 

Here's three from me...

 

Goose - seen showing off in the woods of Amsterdam.

 

 

Sunset - as seen from our balcony last summer.

 

 

Filey, N Yorks - what a beautiful place. We were here for my younger brother's wedding.

 

 

Steve what do you mean ... too far away ... WoodButcher posted a shot of the Sun and that's bloody miles away 

Martyn. I didn't expect anything less mate.

 

Steve

Just a few picture of my reef aquarium now it`s settled down again after the house move.

The last one is with just the moonlights on and the main daylight LEDs switched off.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 8, 20159 yr by Guest

Even bird mums need a nap now and again

Steve

That's better junior,s asleep

Steve

Just a few picture of my reef aquarium now it`s settled down again after the house move.

The last one is with just the moonlights on and the main daylight LEDs switched off.

 

 

 

 

Looking very nice 

Steve

Green Sandpiper

Steve

Bee Orchid I believe

Steve

Couldn't believe my luck with this Kingfisher picture, Got to the hide at Pennington flash and it was sat there waiting for me. Flew off after about two seconds. Forgot to add that the bird was in the shade and the background rushes and reeds where in bright sunshine hence the almost luminous background

Steve

Edited July 9, 20159 yr by Winsford Soul

Green Sandpiper

Steve

Beautiful Steve ! Were you far away from him (or her) ?

Beautiful Steve ! Were you far away from him (or her) ?

Thank you Philippe. I was  about 20 metres away, , the photograph has been cropped slightly to remove some excess vegetation. 

Steve

Managed to see a fledgling Cuckoo this morning, being fed by a couple of Reed Warblers ... it was calling for food constantly, I should think that the Reed Warblers were struggling to keep up with the demand

Here it is demanding food

You can see one of the Reed Warblers almost in the Cuckoo's mouth in this shot

Managed to see a fledgling Cuckoo this morning, being fed by a couple of Reed Warblers ... it was calling for food constantly, I should think that the Reed Warblers were struggling to keep up with the demand

Here it is demanding food

You can see one of the Reed Warblers almost in the Cuckoo's mouth in this shot

stunning mate , stunning

Steve

Managed to see a fledgling Cuckoo this morning, being fed by a couple of Reed Warblers ... it was calling for food constantly, I should think that the Reed Warblers were struggling to keep up with the demand

Here it is demanding food

You can see one of the Reed Warblers almost in the Cuckoo's mouth in this shot

Wow! They're amazing pictures Martyn. Award winning stuff imo.

Petre

Cheers you two ... apparently it has been well over 10 years since Cuckoos bred at Belvide, we think that we may have three juveniles this year, which is good news as Cuckoo numbers had been declining.

A couple more shots of it

Cheers you two ... apparently it has been well over 10 years since Cuckoos bred at Belvide, we think that we may have three juveniles this year, which is good news as Cuckoo numbers had been declining.

A couple more shots of it

Take a bow Martyn. simply stunning. i thank you for posting

Steve

A few snaps from our recent Greek adventure in and around Molyvos on the island of Lesvos...

Molyvos harbour. In the mornings I'd occasionally swim from quite a bit out of left of the frame up to the right-hand side of the harbour and back again. Lots of great snorkelling to be had on the way!

Setting sun - harbour

These flowers (name?) are to be seen everywhere in Molyvos

More unspecified flora

Glass of wine, anyone?

Bus station. Opposite is the coast of Turkey, just six miles away. It's from here that all the refugees set off in unsuitable and dangerously overcrowded dinghies - at a cost of at least 1,000 euros per person. Those supplying the crafts and inferior life jackets are making an absolute fortune.

 

 

A few more holiday snaps...

 

By the edge of the sea, a little way from Molyvos, is a freshwater pool where turtles can be found. Although naturally shy, they can be coaxed out with offerings of bread, their hunger for which will bring them right to your feet.

As well as turtles there are also frogs. If you sit quietly for long enough they'll venture out of the water and come very close. Make a sudden move and they're back in the water with a single leap.

Other forms of aquatic life can also be spotted. This is the rarely spotted Snorkelus Russellum, seen here on what was, unusually, a rainy day.

Probably one of the top three sights photographed in Molyvos - moored in the harbour, this former fishing boat is available for private trips courtesy of skipper and friend Stratis.

The fresh and totally fabulous local food is a major attraction for us. In this case, calamari...

A few glasses of vino and the sound of traditional Greek music played under the watchful stony gaze of Molyvos castle. Simple pleasures greatly enjoyed.

 

 

A Large Skipper ponders ...

 

 Swallow

 

A few more holiday snaps...

 

By the edge of the sea, a little way from Molyvos, is a freshwater pool where turtles can be found. Although naturally shy, they can be coaxed out with offerings of bread, their hunger for which will bring them right to your feet.

As well as turtles there are also frogs. If you sit quietly for long enough they'll venture out of the water and come very close. Make a sudden move and they're back in the water with a single leap.

Other forms of aquatic life can also be spotted. This is the rarely spotted Snorkelus Russellum, seen here on what was, unusually, a rainy day.

Probably one of the top three sights photographed in Molyvos - moored in the harbour, this former fishing boat is available for private trips courtesy of skipper and friend Stratis.

The fresh and totally fabulous local food is a major attraction for us. In this case, calamari...

A few glasses of vino and the sound of traditional Greek music played under the watchful stony gaze of Molyvos castle. Simple pleasures greatly enjoyed.

 

 

Nice one Russell. Good to see what you actually look like! Sounds like you had a great time - I love the Greek Islands. That squids right up my street too.

Peter

 

 

Nice one Russell. Good to see what you actually look like! Sounds like you had a great time - I love the Greek Islands. That squids right up my street too.

Peter

 

 

Likewise, we love Greece and Lesvos in particular. This is our sixth visit to the island. Very difficult being there this year in some respects, although without a doubt we had a great time. We feel for the local people. Not only are they suffering because of the ongoing financial crisis, but tourism is down something like 20% so far this season as a result and the worries people have about the tide of refugees, the latter concerns being unfounded. Unfortunately it seems likely the wonderful locals will be facing a tougher time than they've had already - as if that wasn't bad enough.

As for me, don't go thinking that what you see in the pic is my usual attire.  It's impossible to dance in flippers! 

 

Managed to see a fledgling Cuckoo this morning, being fed by a couple of Reed Warblers ... it was calling for food constantly, I should think that the Reed Warblers were struggling to keep up with the demand

Here it is demanding food

You can see one of the Reed Warblers almost in the Cuckoo's mouth in this shot

Amazing picture!How do you think the young cuckoo knows to shove the other eggs out of the nest?

Amazing picture!How do you think the young cuckoo knows to shove the other eggs out of the nest?

Same way that the youngster knows how to fly close to 2000 miles home in the Autumn, pure instinct I would imagine.

The adults will only take over a nest of another bird if they can imitate the host birds egg, my question is how the host bird does not know it's not their own youngster once it gets over twice their size.

The difference is obvious in this image (unfortunately the Warbler is out of focus due to the limited depth of field, I was struggling to find a place I could see between the leaves and branches). 

 

 

More unspecified flora

Those are 'Love in a Mist' seed pods - quite a common garden plant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigella_damascena

 

Thank you! 

A stained glass window from a chapel on the Cistercian monk island of Caldy

Don't know why its come through horizontal as its vertical on my laptop

Edited July 13, 20159 yr by Winsford Soul

A stained glass window from a chapel on the Cistercian monk island of Caldy

Don't know why its come through horizontal as its vertical on my laptop

 

Perhaps it's a listed building… 

Perhaps it's a listed building… 

 Russell. Your spending to much time in the company of Martyn,s pictures my friend. His wit is obviously rubbing off. 

Steve

Perhaps it's a listed building… 

I reckon he fell over again Russell ... it's happened before 

 

Could also be Nigella sativa, hard to tell without the seed head in hand, both have edible seeds.

These flowers (name?) are to be seen everywhere in Molyvos

 

This is Campsis radicans Russell, can be grown in the UK, but is temperamental about flowering if you don't get much sunshine, best against a south facing wall or fence.  Grows everywhere in the south of Spain.

 

 

 

Edited July 13, 20159 yr by TattooDave

 

Much appreciated, Dave.

Trumpet vine - think I can even remember that. They add such a great splash of colour wherever they grow. Really nice to see.

 Russell. Your spending to much time in the company of Martyn,s pictures my friend. His wit is obviously rubbing off. 

Steve

Many say I'm a great wit, Steve. Mind you, my hearing's not as good as it was, so it could be twit. 

I reckon he fell over again Russell ... it's happened before 

All that Trappist beer?

Much appreciated, Dave.

Trumpet vine - think I can even remember that. They add such a great splash of colour wherever they grow. Really nice to see.

Now available with red, orange or yellow flowers, though the orange is the specie.  The yellow variety is called "Flava", the red variety is called "Flamenco" both are still hard to find, whereas the specie is readily available.

Now available with red, orange or yellow flowers, though the orange is the specie.  The yellow variety is called "Flava", the red variety is called "Flamenco" both are still hard to find, whereas the specie is readily available.

Flamenco - very fitting. I like the sound of that!

Flamenco - very fitting. I like the sound of that!

Russell. Don't forget to take off your fins if your going to do the flamenco, otherwise you may fall over like me 

Steve

Russell. Don't forget to take off your fins if your going to do the flamenco, otherwise you may fall over like me 

Steve

You've got a point. Reckon they'd be perfect for doing 'the duck'.

Now what's all this about you falling over. Drunk was it???

You've got a point. Reckon they'd be perfect for doing 'the duck'.

Now what's all this about you falling over. Drunk was it???

Or the swim.

I honestly don't know what Martyn is on about. Unless I Have tripped over him at some dark and dingy nighter with him only being six foot nothing. 

Steve

Flamenco - very fitting. I like the sound of that!

It's really amazing what the plant breeders are doing to try and find the next big hit with garden plants, it's a huge market if they hit it right.  Recently I've seen a white flowered Plumbago capensis for sale, and when you consider the specie is actually a pale to mid blue which in itself is a scarce enough colour you wonder why they bother.  Having said that, I prefer it to the pale blue, though there are some more intensely blue cultivars available which are stunning.

 

I honestly don't know what Martyn is on about. Unless I Have tripped over him at some dark and dingy nighter with him only being six foot nothing. 

Steve

 Steve, yonks ago you posted one sideways on, I asked if you had taken it lying down, or if you had fallen over ... and as being six foot nothing ... in my dreams 

Anyway, have a couple of Southern Hawkers

 

Wonderful Greek blue landscape as seen on hols recently.

 

 

 

 Steve, yonks ago you posted one sideways on, I asked if you had taken it lying down, or if you had fallen over ... and as being six foot nothing ... in my dreams 

Anyway, have a couple of Southern Hawkers

 

I remember now that you have reminded me. Sorry about the height thing I meant 5 ft  nothing. . 

Love the pictures as always. 

Steve

P.S.. how do you get so close to the Dragon flies without disturbing them and flying off

Edited July 14, 20159 yr by Winsford Soul

 

P.S.. how do you get so close to the Dragon flies without disturbing them and flying off

If you approach them carefully without any sudden movement you can get pretty close, it helps that I am using either a 300mm or 200-400mm lens which have 5 feet or 6 feet minimum focus distance, this lets me keep just far enough away from the insect to avoid spooking it.

 

 

Saw this little fella last night when walking in the hills in Kotor bay, Montenegro. So glad I didn't see snakes as I'd have freaked out. On the downside I've been bitten unrelentingly by mosquitoes. Must have 25 plus bites... Ade

Ade. A big guy like you scared of snakes. They're lovely. Wish we had more here in the northwest. Only ever seen one grass snake and never seen a adder.

Steve

Ade. A big guy like you scared of snakes. They're lovely. Wish we had more here in the northwest. Only ever seen one grass snake and never seen a adder.

Steve

Yes scared to death for no good reason even struggle to watch them on TV. Where we live and run there are are a few Adders and a few years ago one of our lads got bitten when out on a run. Ade

 

Here's last nights sunset in North Manchester

Steve

 

 

 

Here's last nights sunset in North Manchester

Steve

 

 

Your place on fire again Ste?......

Your place on fire again Ste?....

 

You would have thought so last night Gaz

Edited July 15, 20159 yr by Winsford Soul

Cuckoo looks bigger this week, must be all those insects the Reed Warblers are shovelling in ... 

Cuckoo looks bigger this week, must be all those insects the Reed Warblers are shovelling in ... 

Oi Mr Pitt. Have you no work to do.  I'm only jealous mate. I've not heard never mind seen a cuckoo for maybe five years.

Steve