• Members 521 posts
    April 19, 2025, 5:20 p.m.

    Looks like you had a more successful bluebell hunt than me. There are plenty just about ready to go in Brinscall Woods and Roddlesworth Woods too, from the look of things this morning, but they're largely under the woodland canopy, so I think they're running a week or two behind those that are out in the open.

    I don't know if this is something I've ever seen before, it's not a plant I'm familiar with. I'll have to keep my eye out for it the next time I'm pottering around in the woods. What sort of habitat does it tend to prefer?

  • April 19, 2025, 5:31 p.m.

    I was out for a walk with a local photo group today. The theme was "Nature" and we learned how to "get down and dirty" to get some interesting shots. Comments appreciated

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    JPG, 8.4 MB, uploaded by AlanSh on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 3.7 MB, uploaded by AlanSh on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 3.2 MB, uploaded by AlanSh on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 4.0 MB, uploaded by AlanSh on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 5.4 MB, uploaded by AlanSh on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 3.7 MB, uploaded by AlanSh on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 3.5 MB, uploaded by AlanSh on April 19, 2025.

  • Members 2516 posts
    April 19, 2025, 6:42 p.m.

    Excellent effort. These 3 are my picks for their originality and selection.

  • Members 2516 posts
    April 19, 2025, 6:45 p.m.

    Fearless specimen. He is coming back, I reckon...

  • Members 1516 posts
    April 19, 2025, 7:25 p.m.

    These two are my picks. Woodland is just so pretty at this moment in the year. The first green flush beautifully sets off the reds and russets of last year's vegetation. I think you must have been a tree in a previous incarnation - you have such a good relationship with the woodlands.

  • April 19, 2025, 7:29 p.m.

    Thanks Chris, I did like the last one myself. Also the single bluebell.

  • Members 1516 posts
    April 19, 2025, 7:29 p.m.

    It seems to like dampish spots in limestone woodland. It's surprisingly hard to spot among the dog's mercury, but actually a larger, broader rosette of leaves once you've spotted it. The flowers develop into berries!

  • April 19, 2025, 7:31 p.m.

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    This one is my favourite. It just yells "Spooky" to me.

  • Members 1516 posts
    April 19, 2025, 7:32 p.m.

    'She' I think! Looks like she's feeding cubs somewhere - maybe she'll bring them along next time!

  • Members 1516 posts
    April 19, 2025, 7:36 p.m.

    These two are the most effective for me. I wonder what the leaf close-up would be like backlit?
    Bluebells are really difficult to photograph well in my experience. I have hundreds of images, but only a handful I'm satisfied with. Keep at it!

  • Members 1516 posts
    April 19, 2025, 7:38 p.m.

    Curious building. Nice comparison of spiky towers and spiky crane.

  • Members 2742 posts
    April 19, 2025, 8:13 p.m.

    New cameras are always fun. I like this shot best in this set.

  • Members 2742 posts
    April 19, 2025, 8:16 p.m.

    A lovely shot, better when enlarged. I really like the idea of a visitors book on the summit of a mountain.

  • Members 2742 posts
    April 19, 2025, 8:21 p.m.

    Yes, it is that time of year again. Spring here has happened so quickly. I like the Herb Paris shot, a very unusual flower.

  • Members 2742 posts
    April 19, 2025, 8:24 p.m.

    Cool!. People usually spend hours in hides waiting for this sort of shot.

  • Members 2742 posts
    April 19, 2025, 8:39 p.m.

    Orchid time

    I caved in and bought a second hand Z105 Macro lens that I had been undecided about buying for some time. I discovered the Z8 does focus stacking, so I had an excuse.

    In a certain area in the hills above Reggio, orchids are pretty common at this time of year. Most of this set were taken next to the road, at a point where the verge is full of them. The rest were taken in a nature reserve, where a basalte outcrop rises above the countryside. To finish, my first attempts at focus stacking with plants on my balcony, and a couple of old cameras I have.

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    I downloaded a trail copy of Helicon Focus. Im pretty amazed at what this program does with a set of pictures.

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    JPG, 514.7 KB, uploaded by NCV on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 695.3 KB, uploaded by NCV on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 558.7 KB, uploaded by NCV on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 372.6 KB, uploaded by NCV on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 406.6 KB, uploaded by NCV on April 19, 2025.

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    JPG, 512.6 KB, uploaded by NCV on April 19, 2025.

  • Members 2181 posts
    April 19, 2025, 8:58 p.m.

    Filmic

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    JPG, 28.9 MB, uploaded by Daneland on April 19, 2025.