Happy New Year to one and all. Let's hope 2021 sees some sort of return to normal as the weeks and months roll on

Running annually since 2013, this is the 9th photography thread. Thanks to everyone who has participated and made this such a popular and long-running thread. I'm sure we can look forward to lots of great contributions.

Given the restrictions we've been facing for so long now, getting out and about hasn't always been easy or even possible. But, with a bit of good fortune hopefully we'll get opportunities to revisit new and familiar places with greater ease. Certainly I've hardly been beyond my immediate environment during much of last year, so I'm opening this thread with a couple of favourite photos from some years back.

Both were taken in Elie on the Fife coast in Scotland.

 

Happy snapping, everyone!

A Tuesday trip to the seaside taking in Egmond aan Zee and Bergen aan Zee. Dark, brooding clouds shadowed us all afternoon, but that didn't stop us or anyone else from having some fun. The pics below are of Egmond aan Zee.

 

Edited August 5, 20213 yr by Amsterdam Russ
klaritee

I have a very infrequent ( maybe 4 times i have seen it )  visitor to my back garden and never when i have had the camera but just now despite the doom and gloom of the rain and the bird deep within the Berberis bush i actually managed a for now record shot  until i can capture it in decent lighting in the open. Sorry about the picture quality

Male Blackcap

 

 

54 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

I have a very infrequent ( maybe 4 times i have seen it )  visitor to my back garden and never when i have had the camera but just now despite the doom and gloom of the rain and the bird deep within the Berberis bush i actually managed a for now record shot  until i can capture it in decent lighting in the open. Sorry about the picture quality

Male Blackcap

 

 

Steve what a little  belter , beautiful bird 👍

30 minutes ago, Neil Austin said:

Steve what a little  belter , beautiful bird 👍

Thanks Neil. They are stunning little birds and my picture unfortunately doesn't do it justice. 

Here's a female taken from the garden about 2 1/2 years ago 

 

22 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Thanks Neil. They are stunning little birds and my picture unfortunately doesn't do it justice. 

Here's a female taken from the garden about 2 1/2 years ago 

 

Nice , looks really lovely, your a lucky 

guy to have such special visitors 👍

First day in Rife for ten months...

Glad to be back.

Ed

Not so good...a sign of the times. Closed until further notice. Plenty on here will have had a good night in this venue.

Ed

 

Bittern anyone  ?

Perfect camouflage is a understatement 

 

Yep Steve most excellent, well spotted 

Well I finally got my backside into gear today and went fishing 🎣  for the first time in a few years. ( only because there's no Canal matches local these days  ) Managed 17 Carp, best 4 where about 8lb each and the others between 3lb and 6lb along with plenty of Roach,  gudgeon and 1 small Skimmer Bream. All caught on the pole close in the margins as you can see on the short video, so not to bad for just 5 hours fishing 

 

I was fishing again over the wkd, took my family to a Holiday house overlooking Whelford Pools in Fairford, nr Gloucestershire, next to RAF Fairford..  well worth a visit to fish or just to kick back .. got a new Robin friend, cocky bugger even ate bolies out of the palm of my hand 🙂  check the middle fish, literally like a football, I could not keep hold of her...

2 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Well I finally got my backside into gear today and went fishing 🎣  for the first time in a few years. ( only because there's no Canal matches local these days  ) Managed 17 Carp, best 4 where about 8lb each and the others between 3lb and 6lb along with plenty of Roach,  gudgeon and 1 small Skimmer Bream. All caught on the pole close in the margins as you can see on the short video, so not to bad for just 5 hours fishing 

 

brilliant Steve,  you caught that on a pole right? gives me the shivers how you match boys play large carp with an elastic band! 

1 minute ago, Mal C said:

I was fishing again over the wkd, took my family to a Holiday house overlooking Whelford Pools in Fairford, nr Gloucestershire, next to RAF Fairford..  well worth a visit to fish or just to kick back .. got a new Robin friend, cocky bugger even ate bolies out of the palm of my hand 🙂  check the middle fish, literally like a football, I could not keep hold of her...

That looks fantastic Mal. Some nice fish there mate. 

2 minutes ago, Mal C said:

I was fishing again over the wkd, took my family to a Holiday house overlooking Whelford Pools in Fairford, nr Gloucestershire, next to RAF Fairford..  well worth a visit to fish or just to kick back .. got a new Robin friend, cocky bugger even ate bolies out of the palm of my hand 🙂  check the middle fish, literally like a football, I could not keep hold of her...

brilliant Steve,  you caught that on a pole right? gives me the shivers how you match boys play large carp with an elastic band! 

Yes mate. All on the Pole. Bit rusty regarding playing them but towards the end it was OK. I was only fishing in a foot of water so when you  hook one they really rip off to fray the nerves 🤣. 

Biggest I've ever caught on the Pole was 15lb 8 oz 😳 

2 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

That looks fantastic Mal. Some nice fish there mate. 

1 minute ago, Winsford Soul said:

Yes mate. All on the Pole. Bit rusty regarding playing them but towards the end it was OK. I was only fishing in a foot of water so when you  hook one they really rip off to fray the nerves 🤣. 

Biggest I've ever caught on the Pole was 15lb 8 oz 😳 

Ive seen it done, its proper madness, but takes allot of skill... love the video.. I should video a screamer take for folks to get a sense of the excitement.... when they go, they go!!!  The football as I'm calling her, weighed in at 24lb, the last one was 25lb believe it or not... think allot have spawned for the last time this year, they were hungry and aggressive in the fight...

its very 'Carpy' this thread...

 

43 minutes ago, Mal C said:

Ive seen it done, its proper madness, but takes allot of skill... love the video.. I should video a screamer take for folks to get a sense of the excitement.... when they go, they go!!!  The football as I'm calling her, weighed in at 24lb, the last one was 25lb believe it or not... think allot have spawned for the last time this year, they were hungry and aggressive in the fight...

its very 'Carpy' this thread...

 

Lamont Dozier. Something fishy going on . They proper fish that you catch mate, not like the tiddlers I get. , I was just glad I didn't get a carp take my pellet bait when I was filming the video otherwise all hell would have been let loose 🤔😁👍

Sunsetting over la Gomera....

Very atmospheric..

Ed

 

Thought it was about time I shook myself and got out on another hike - so did my favourite walk round Ennerdale, an easy 8 mile jaunt around what I reckon is the prettiest of the Lakes. Excuses why I've not been out hiking more over the last month or so:

A] I ran myself over - no I REALLY did! (actually the exercise did my various lumps and bumps and cranked up back the power of good in loosening it all up)

B] Recovering from an excess of fun at Cleethorpes (your own stupid fault Carne when are you gonna grow up?)

C] Being admitted to the Cumberland with crippling stomach pains (visiting this hospital is a near death experience in itself - endoscopy on Wednesday, though things seem OK right now which probably means I'm doomed)

Er that's it (at least all I'll admit to).

Dx

 

3 hours ago, Davenpete said:

Thought it was about time I shook myself and got out on another hike - so did my favourite walk round Ennerdale, an easy 8 mile jaunt around what I reckon is the prettiest of the Lakes. Excuses why I've not been out hiking more over the last month or so:

A] I ran myself over - no I REALLY did! (actually the exercise did my various lumps and bumps and cranked up back the power of good in loosening it all up)

B] Recovering from an excess of fun at Cleethorpes (your own stupid fault Carne when are you gonna grow up?)

C] Being admitted to the Cumberland with crippling stomach pains (visiting this hospital is a near death experience in itself - endoscopy on Wednesday, though things seem OK right now which probably means I'm doomed)

Er that's it (at least all I'll admit to).

Dx

 

Great pictures of a great place 👍

Ennerdale hotel....and muncaster Castle...

Great memories from about 30 years ago.

Ed

 

A couple from last week and two species that seem to be on the decline this year. The Gatekeeper butterfly and the Cinnabar Caterpillar. Used to see quite a lot of Gatekeepers and the Caterpillars are usually seen covering the ragwort plant but these 3 were the only ones out .

Look at this cheeky chappie.

Ed

Just now, Reissue55 said:

Have taken to id ing field mushrooms and fungi to expand my knowledge of locating edble mushrooms found this which i stress i didnt pick as i try to id them while their rooted just for perspective i take a size 9 it belongs to the bolete family of polypore mushrooms and is edible though nondescript in terms of flavour (mushroom it say in the guide lol)

Marston moor in lancs on the coldest day of the winter jan this year and filey beach at dawn on the hottest day of this year

Not a great photo quality wise but chuffed to find this little fella outside my back door  last night devouring a large slug , first one I have seen on my garden for probably a decade.

42 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

Not a great photo quality wise but chuffed to find this little fella outside my back door  last night devouring a large slug , first one I have seen on my garden for probably a decade.

Slugs are not the best for hogs, they will eat them though if they are starving. Cat or dog food is great, definitely no mealworms or bird seed as they make them really sick. 

You are very lucky to have these endangered sweethearts in your garden. If you can put out fresh water and cat / dog food every night (dry kitten biscuits is best, or anything that lists meat first as that means the highest ingredient is protein) you will literally be a life saver. 

8 minutes ago, Jumpinjoan said:

Slugs are not the best for hogs, they will eat them though if they are starving. Cat or dog food is great, definitely no mealworms or bird seed as they make them really sick. 

You are very lucky to have these endangered sweethearts in your garden. If you can put out fresh water and cat / dog food every night (dry kitten biscuits is best, or anything that lists meat first as that means the highest ingredient is protein) you will literally be a life saver. 

Thanks Joan , always thought that slugs along with worms were their staple diet putting dog food or cat food in my garden will have to thought about I have enough bloody cats coming  though my garden without encouragement .

Will have to give some thought how to feed them without it attracting the cats , maybe put it under some propt up roofing tiles I have in the shrubs where the little fella disappeared to.

55 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

Thanks Joan , always thought that slugs along with worms were their staple diet putting dog food or cat food in my garden will have to thought about I have enough bloody cats coming  though my garden without encouragement .

Will have to give some thought how to feed them without it attracting the cats , maybe put it under some propt up roofing tiles I have in the shrubs where the little fella disappeared to.

I used to think that too and they will of course eat them. The lovely lady at Hedgehog Cabin has opened my eyes to the world of hogs. She has loads of info on her website with regards feeding them etc. Not sure if links are permitted but a quick Google will bring her up.

It's always a tricky balance regarding feeding due to other species pulling up at the buffet, and of course effort, but so worthwhile as they are in real danger. You're very lucky to have them x

4 hours ago, Jumpinjoan said:

I used to think that too and they will of course eat them. The lovely lady at Hedgehog Cabin has opened my eyes to the world of hogs. She has loads of info on her website with regards feeding them etc. Not sure if links are permitted but a quick Google will bring her up.

It's always a tricky balance regarding feeding due to other species pulling up at the buffet, and of course effort, but so worthwhile as they are in real danger. You're very lucky to have them x

On my allotment we have hedgehogs about, so I’ve been told to avoid harming them instead of using slug pellets to use porridge flakes as the slugs eat porridge flakes and kills them but then is harmless to hedgehogs if they’re hungry enough for slugs being on their menu , just putting it out there as any garden lovers on here could try it too . 

here is something you don't see every day 🙂

I've spent another night at my local lake in Chepstow, what a session it was, 8/9 fish in total, but three over 20lb, I got a 20lb literally within 5 mins, a 21.4lb an hour later, and in the night a fish I had caught at 18lb some time ago which is now 22.5lb, he's the one in the dark, all in all a great session of carp fishing... Might have been the blue moon!

Butterflies on the Buddleia 

 

 

A few pics from a mid-week cycle ride to the local nature reserve (Schinkelbos). Must admit the ride there knackered me out.

Not only was it a case of me not being out on the bike enough, but while you all know the Netherlands is as flat as a Dutch pancake, one consequence is that even on the stillest of days there's often a headwind that seems to target you, and you alone. Look around at the trees, flowers, bushes and flags (yes, there are lots of Dutch flags to be seen here) while you're cycling along and nothing is stirring - but in your face, and hindering your progress, is an invisible force holding you back (and curiously - annoyingly - when you're cycling back home, it's still in your face!).

Highlights of this small Dutch nature reserve include such British imports as Exmoor ponies and highland cattle (Dutch = Schotse hooglanders) - and, of course there's some local wildlife, including, in this instance, a goshawk being mobbed by a swallow.

 

 

 

12 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Butterflies on the Buddleia 

 

 

Steve . Made my morning , lovely video 👍

7 hours ago, Neil Austin said:

Steve . Made my morning , lovely video 👍

Thanks Neil ☺  Have a fab Bank Holiday weekend 

Just outside of Bouth...and this sprung up..

Went on one once, never again.

Ed

 

Only trip to a farm in wavertree nr chester on NYE many years ago, wish id taken ma  phone or camera  as aside from the precarious state of the floor holding about 200 people bang at it, the holes were covered up by little squares of cut out hardboard, THE FIFTY FEET TALL STAINLESS STEEL WICCA MAN CONSTRUCTED OUTSIDE THE MILKING SHED, gave me a bit of a start! COTTON TREE FARM AND ONE TREE ISLAND , what a brilliant night

Windermere rammed solid today.

Seems more boats than normal.

Ed

 

Still on the boating theme..

The Coniston Steamer today.

Ed

 

Managed a great day around the quieter part of snowdonia on Saturday.

1st one is a view of my route down the right handside of the grassy plateau with knee high heather to wade through to Lyn Eigiau on the left with Lyn Cowlyd on the right

The 2nd one is looking down the Ogwen Valley from Pen yr Helgi Du

Walking in North Yorkshire (Aysgarth)  lower falls

Edited August 30, 20213 yr by Smudger
info

Earlier in the summer Cornwall Godrevy Towans saw a slow worm for the first time ever ,it had fallen onto the beach but not quick enough to get a shot.Abslutely gorgeous little thing.

Edited August 31, 20213 yr by Smudger
grammar

This maybe obvious, but What’s a ‘slow worm’ ? 

40 minutes ago, Mal C said:

This maybe obvious, but What’s a ‘slow worm’ ? 

Mal. It's a lizard with no legs mate, looks like a worm / snake 

 

Edited August 30, 20213 yr by Winsford Soul

A few from the gloom of Pennington flash this morning. The hides have finally opened after nearly 18 months

Nuthatch.

Willow Tit. Now one of Britain's fastest declining birds and is Red listed as endangered, but Wigan and the surrounding area is the last stronghold in the North of England

Greenfinch with two fledglings

Willow Warbler.

Tufted Duck Juvenile i think

 

 

Edited September 6, 20213 yr by Winsford Soul

BBC News has a stunning selection of winning pics from the Bird Photographer of the Year competition. 

The pic below was from a British photographer.

Source: BBC News / © Kevin Morgans / Bird Photographer of the Year

Check out the other photos here: https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-58396228

First visit to Elton this morning since late May and another gloomy day. August was the cloudiest ever over Greater Manchester and  September is following the same route, awful for taking any pictures but managed a couple

Juvenile Chiffchaff . 

Female Sparrow hawk against the gloomy featureless sky 

 

 

Edited September 6, 20213 yr by Winsford Soul

There's a strange yellow / orange bright thing in the blue  skies.  Anyone know what it is ? 

2 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

There's a strange yellow / orange bright thing in the blue  skies.  Anyone know what it is ? 

There were three strange yellow/orange things overhead yesterday afternoon. 

To be more specific, it was three Fokker S-11 training aircraft flying in formation, possibly circling Schiphol airport, which is very near to us. There were four planes, but one peeled off leaving the three to do a couple of circuits above us. They were some way away, so the pics are heavily cropped.

A most unusual sight!

You've been framed.  That time of year when the farmers are harvesting the grass for silage