A New Year means a new Soul Source photography thread! Starting in 2013, "Show us your great photos" has proved to be a long-lived favourite - all because of the continued contributions and involvement of its enthusiastic participants. Here's looking forward to yet another year of fab photos - and don't forget that you don't need to be a photographer to post up pics. Whether taken with top-of-the-line gear or the camera on your smart phone, if you've got interesting pics, please feel free to share.

To kick off, here's a batch of pics I took today while out on a cold and misty walk in a place called the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. I'd not heard of it until just very recently. Apparently it's a natural water table from which Amsterdam gets most of its fresh water. At the same time, it's a nature reserve, so now that I know of its existence, I'll have to make a point of visiting regularly.

It wasn't a good day to be out with a camera, especially with a zoom lens. The light was poor, it was misty (heavy fog overhead - we could hear geese flying over but could barely see them, even though they were quite low), and it was cold. Hopefully conditions will be better on my next visit.

Here's wishing you all a happy New Year and lots of happy shooting across the next 12 months.

Tonight's sunset 🙂

Before and after (well still ongoing) covid lockdown, gardening changes.

Still a bit of planting to do, but you get the idea.

Sorry, seem to have downloaded the same photos,  but don't know how to delete the duplicates. 

31 minutes ago, Julianb said:

Before and after (well still ongoing) covid lockdown, gardening changes.

Still a bit of planting to do, but you get the idea.

Sorry, seem to have downloaded the same photos,  but don't know how to delete the duplicates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the editor may auto-save your content

if it does and previous content shows when you hit reply or click in the editor box

then the option 

'Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor'  should show at the bottom of the editor box

if it does show then hit the 'clear editor' link and that should resolve the problem

 

Came across this fella on the path yesterday, second one water falling over rock edge taken from above

Unleaded at 87.9p a litre and Bombay Sapphire at £11.50 a litre, thank you Morrisons, Gibraltar

Yesterday ride out in Wales 👍🏻

On 18/09/2020 at 19:06, Zoomsoulblue said:

Yesterday ride out in Wales 👍🏻

 

 

Spent some of the best times of my non soulie life at Llyn Tegid ( Lake Bala  ) fishing especially in the winter,  fantastic roach fishing,  sometimes when I was lucky I would catch a fish called a Gwyniad,  a left over relic from the ice age and only found in Bala and I think windermere in the lake district. 

Edited September 19, 20204 yr by Winsford Soul

Just watching A year in the wild. Atlantic. A wildlife programme.  Its on at 9pm and the channel has just said that some viewers maybe offended by scenes of life and death. This country really is  ( insert your own words ) when they are making statements like that. 

I think this is the appropriate thread because its regarding wildlife 

Edited September 18, 20204 yr by Winsford Soul

Southern Hawker. ( Female. )Dragonfly 

 

Edited September 19, 20204 yr by Winsford Soul

Just had my 3 Lenses calibrated and micro -adjusted by Cambrian Photography in Colwyn Bay. never been done before apparently 99% of lens need adjustment to the camera that you use but i was lucky. 500mm Lens -/ + 0 .     70mm -200mm  Lens -/+ +.2   17mm - 40mm Lens -/+ +2.   2X convertor -/+ +15 . £ 30 well spent

This mornings view as the suns coming up, mist on the ground - View towards Whittlesey Mc Cains energy saving windmills

Tonight,s Moon from my Manchester back garden

 

Just been told that the lammergeier ( bearded Vulture  ) has been seen over Leicestershire this afternoon and heading in a South Easterly direction.  Looks like it's decided to return to the continent.  You never can tell though so it might have just gone fly about 

What a privilege to see it here in the UK 🇬🇧 

Just managed to spot this chap on the front lawn, whilst reading uninspiring work report, and managed to snap a couple of shots before he was chased off by marauding Magpies!

23 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Just been told that the lammergeier ( bearded Vulture  ) has been seen over Leicestershire this afternoon and heading in a South Easterly direction.  Looks like it's decided to return to the continent.  You never can tell though so it might have just gone fly about 

What a privilege to see it here in the UK 🇬🇧 

Bugger! Was thinking about a trip to see it this weekend. Oh well, it might come back.

Just now, Soulandy said:

Bugger! Was thinking about a trip to see it this weekend. Oh well, it might come back.

Andy. If I hear anything different mate I will let you know.  👍 Starting to get that holiday feeling today,  Saturday can't get here quickly enough now.  Badgers, rural foxes ( not the tame urban ones ) hopefully Otters,  not counting the bird life. Sunsets, Milky way photos ( hopefully  ) 

Was out in the Carneddau Mountains in Snowdonia last Saturday. Nice day but very windy and hazy

1st photo if of the clowd flowing over the mountains and disapearing into the valley. 2nd photo is looking down the Ogwen Valley. 3rd is a Welsh Black

A walk on brean beach with my two mutts and they came across this god knows what it is

19 minutes ago, sheldonsoul said:

A walk on brean beach with my two mutts and they came across this god knows what it is

Crickey! You normally come across jelly fish and crabs on the beach. Wow 😮

A sign of the Times. YouTube on the Fridge..

Ed

 

7 hours ago, sheldonsoul said:

A walk on brean beach with my two mutts and they came across this god knows what it is

Send the pic in to your local paper and ask if anyone can ID it. 

43 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Send the pic in to your local paper and ask if anyone can ID it. 

Looks like a Chinese Water Deer, but not knowing the scale I could be way off

1 hour ago, Tattoodave said:

Looks like a Chinese Water Deer, but not knowing the scale I could be way off

Difficult to say. It could be. If so, maybe a young one with those underdeveloped fangs.

We had a small end-of-summer barbecue on the balcony in glorious weather yesterday evening. 

Neither of us is of the "let's bbq half a cow" type, so yesterday's fare consisted of scallops wrapped in air-dried Italian bacon, and langoustine. We also roasted some red peppers and a couple of bulbs of garlic for later use.

We've got a week of rain to look forward to now. Farewell, summer. It was nice knowing you.

Sunset tonight on the Solway on the four month anniversary of Pete passing away.

Edited September 23, 20204 yr by Davenpete

On 22/09/2020 at 21:15, Winsford Soul said:

Andy. If I hear anything different mate I will let you know.  👍 Starting to get that holiday feeling today,  Saturday can't get here quickly enough now.  Badgers, rural foxes ( not the tame urban ones ) hopefully Otters,  not counting the bird life. Sunsets, Milky way photos ( hopefully  ) 

Not looking promising to be back. Enjoy your break 👍

https://www.4vultures.org/bearded-vulture-vigo-left-derbyshire-and-is-heading-south/?fbclid=IwAR1-u11OY8tENFKw1JJcvUZ-i55jqIf0H2SAu-IBAAEiaW6UArQattyWzUI

11 hours ago, Soulandy said:

Not looking promising to be back. Enjoy your break 👍

https://www.4vultures.org/bearded-vulture-vigo-left-derbyshire-and-is-heading-south/?fbclid=IwAR1-u11OY8tENFKw1JJcvUZ-i55jqIf0H2SAu-IBAAEiaW6UArQattyWzUI

Thanks for posting Andy. Very interesting reading and a privilege for me to actually see the bird. One i will never forget,  infact the last 12 months have been fantastic (current situation excluded) ,  managed to see and photograph some if not all of the following special things. Neowise comet. Snow Bunting,  6 Barn Owl on one evening along with Short eared Owls. Water Voles. 20 plus Ring Ouzel on the same day as the lammergeier.  Red kite over my garden, amongst other things.  

Thanks for the good holiday wishes mate 👍  Hopefully will get some pictures to post on here. 

Edited September 24, 20204 yr by Winsford Soul

On 21/08/2020 at 16:12, Shinehead said:

Today the wind smashed it in half 😪

 

My smashed Sunflower today

Not too bad to say the damage it took.

54 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

My smashed Sunflower today

Not too bad to say the damage it took.

Looks good Graham 👍  Birds will have sunflower seeds, hearts on tap 😁

9 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Looks good Graham 👍  Birds will have sunflower seeds, hearts on tap 😁

I hope so Steve , I am spending more on sunflower seeds than on food for myself lol , I have loads of adults and juvenile Goldfinch visiting and they are ravenous.

But I don't mind they bring me loads of joy watching their antics.

41 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

I hope so Steve , I am spending more on sunflower seeds than on food for myself lol , I have loads of adults and juvenile Goldfinch visiting and they are ravenous.

But I don't mind they bring me loads of joy watching their antics.

Sounds like me mate. Two feeders full a day of sunflower hearts. The goldfinch are fantastic to see around the feeders,  

1 hour ago, Winsford Soul said:

Sounds like me mate. Two feeders full a day of sunflower hearts. The goldfinch are fantastic to see around the feeders,  

Just hope the seeds on the flowers mature so the birds can eat them off the plant when it does die back 🤞

Edited September 24, 20204 yr by Shinehead

5 hours ago, Shinehead said:

Just hope the seeds on the flowers mature so the birds can eat them off the plant when it does die back 🤞

Just seen our sparrowhawk take it's FORTH goldfinch of the day from our feeders (which are caged so there's always a tug of war getting its prey through the bars) - it had three yesterday that I saw. I reckon it's either:

A] Gonna be fat as a pig shortly, or

B] More than one, or

C] Got kids to feed

Dx

12 minutes ago, Davenpete said:

Just seen our sparrowhawk take it's FORTH goldfinch of the day from our feeders (which are caged so there's always a tug of war getting its prey through the bars) - it had three yesterday that I saw. I reckon it's either:

A] Gonna be fat as a pig shortly, or

B] More than one, or

C] Got kids to feed

 

Would have thought this time of year ,chicks to feed could be ruled out .

I have seen Sparrowhawks swooping at my feeders but not a catch as yet , even though I get attached to the Goldfinch I would love to see a Sparrowhawk take one just for the spectacle,  I know it sounds cruel but that's nature.

A few years ago my next door neighbour's had a very large clematis on the front of the  house and it had a roost of sparrows in it and a Sparrowhawk used to use it like a takeaway .

20 minutes ago, Davenpete said:

Just seen our sparrowhawk take it's FORTH goldfinch of the day from our feeders (which are caged so there's always a tug of war getting its prey through the bars) - it had three yesterday that I saw. I reckon it's either:

A] Gonna be fat as a pig shortly, or

B] More than one, or

C] Got kids to feed

Dx

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_sparrowhawk

Dave.  Plenty of information here on Sparrowhawks. 

1 minute ago, Shinehead said:

Would have thought this time of year ,chicks to feed could be ruled out .

I have seen Sparrowhawks swooping at my feeders but not a catch as yet , even though I get attached to the Goldfinch I would love to see a Sparrowhawk take one just for the spectacle,  I know it sounds cruel but that's nature.

A few years ago my next door neighbour's had a very large clematis on the front of the  house and it had a roost of sparrows in it and a Sparrowhawk used to use it like a takeaway .

Graham.  I've been lucky enough to see the Sparrowhawk ( male ) on the garden fence a few times and even managed to get a few pictures. Never seen them make a kill but now and again there's evidence on the grass of a successful hunt.  

Definitely agree with you on the no young to feed this time of year bit mate.  I've posted a link for Dave which has some interesting stuff 

I was wondering why my dog wouldn't come in the other night and then I saw why...Look who came for a visit to my garden, l haven't seen one for ages !!🦔

15 minutes ago, Lozzer66 said:

I was wondering why my dog wouldn't come in the other night and then I saw why...Look who came for a visit to my garden, l haven't seen one for ages !!🦔

Lorraine. Fantastic.  Not seen any for years apart from the odd dead one on the road. Thanks for posting it.  X

2 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Graham.  I've been lucky enough to see the Sparrowhawk ( male ) on the garden fence a few times and even managed to get a few pictures. Never seen them make a kill but now and again there's evidence on the grass of a successful hunt.  

Definitely agree with you on the no young to feed this time of year bit mate.  I've posted a link for Dave which has some interesting stuff 

It came back for a FIFTH bird - MUST be feeding chicks (to give you idea how late things are here I saw a Willow Warbler on the patio Tuesday!) ...Or there's a whole flock of the hairy little buggers hiding in the trees... You simply couldn't stuff that much Goldfinch into a single Sparrowhawk. Dx

Edited September 24, 20204 yr by Davenpete

3 minutes ago, Davenpete said:

It came back for a FIFTH bird - MUST be feeding chicks or there's a whole flock of the hairy little buggers hiding in the trees... You simply couldn't stuff that much Goldfinch on a single Sparrowhawk. Dx

Definitely no chicks Dave,  they eat maybe 4 goldfinch,  sparrows a day and it will be a male Sparrowhawk with it only taking small birds. The female will take woodpidgeon,  magpie, grey squirrel etc. 

12 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Lorraine. Fantastic.  Not seen any for years apart from the odd dead one on the road. Thanks for posting it.  X

It was a lovely surprise, hope it comes back again 🤞

5 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Definitely no chicks Dave,  they eat maybe 4 goldfinch,  sparrows a day and it will be a male Sparrowhawk with it only taking small birds. The female will take woodpidgeon,  magpie, grey squirrel etc. 

Must admit it had an (unsuccessful) go at one of the Collared Doves that live on the patio yesterday.
Dx

6 minutes ago, Lozzer66 said:

It was a lovely surprise, hope it comes back again 🤞

If you see it again DON'T give it bread and milk as people traditionally did - milk is really bad for them. Tinned Cat/Dog food is best.

44 minutes ago, Lozzer66 said:

I was wondering why my dog wouldn't come in the other night and then I saw why...Look who came for a visit to my garden, l haven't seen one for ages !!🦔

Used to have one under th shed a couple of years back but not seen it since. Good catch, as rare as a Frank Wilson these days 🙂

3 hours ago, Davenpete said:

Must admit it had an (unsuccessful) go at one of the Collared Doves that live on the patio yesterday.
Dx

If you see it again DON'T give it bread and milk as people traditionally did - milk is really bad for them. Tinned Cat/Dog food is best.

Yes I believe so, I was thinking of putting out some dog food and water but thanks for the advice,. Lots of people don't know so good to share 😊

Front window view about 15 minutes ago. Looking very autumnal and hard to believe it was summer last week. Feels more like late October! 

 

3 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Front window view about 15 minutes ago. Looking very autumnal and hard to believe it was summer last week. Feels more like late October! 

Same here Russ sunbathing in shorts Monday and Tuesday  this week , today turning on the central heating,  gonna be a long winter for more reasons than one.

 

10 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

Same here Russ sunbathing in shorts Monday and Tuesday  this week , today turning on the central heating,  gonna be a long winter for more reasons than one.

Likewise, been in shorts and short sleeves since late spring and had to put on trousers and a jumper this week. Not good. No central heating yet, though, but don't want to speak too soon! And I think you're right - it is going to be a looooong winter! ☹️

Looking a bit stormy there Russell.  Well it's Pembrokeshire for me in the morning and ever the optimist packed 4 pair shorts and two grown up pair of long pants. Got the waterproofs etc for out and about for the wildlife pictures but I'm like the postman who wears shorts virtually all the time.  Its less clothing to get wet and consequently much easier to dry

 

21 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Looking a bit stormy there Russell.  Well it's Pembrokeshire for me in the morning and ever the optimist packed 4 pair shorts and two grown up pair of long pants. Got the waterproofs etc for out and about for the wildlife pictures but I'm like the postman who wears shorts virtually all the time.  Its less clothing to get wet and consequently much easier to dry

 

Enjoy and happy hunting! 📸

The view i have to wake up to now for the next 3 weeks