Five Favourite shots of 2013 ~ No 2 Dragonflies

Well after my five favourite butterfly shots, I thought I would do five favourite dragonflies. It is really quite hard to choose five….after my butterfly post, I found a whole heap that I had forgotten about so there may have to be a version 2 yet 😉

 

This broad bodied Chaser was taken in the Wyre Forest.

This demoiselle was from a forage into Dudmaston woods whilst looking for White Admirals but, I loved the way she was watching me!

This was my favourite in-flight shot of the year from the Severn Valley

After many, many attempts, I finally got some half decent shots of Eastern Spreadwings in Greece. They seem to prefer quite shady spots which makes it difficult to get the light for a macro.

Also in Greece, earlier in the year, I did get some very close encounters with Goldenrings. In fact some days, I was getting so close I could only see their eyes but, this one shows it all in its glory. They are very beautiful…..I have wonderful memories of them flying up and down the streams even if summer seems a little distant now!

Although, I have many more to cover the last 12 months, this will probably be my last post before Christmas. So, have a wonderful time everyone.

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Winter Wanders

It has been a while since I posted. I confess that winter doesn’t really inspire me overly….well normally that is. When I came to update I realised that perhaps I have taken more photos than usual for winter time. This year, we have had almost every kind of weather possible. In December we experienced some very frosty cold mornings. This one was taken along the Mercian Way in the Severn Valley.

Shortly afterwards we experienced some very foggy, mysterious days.

With dew and frosty cobwebs shining in the corners.

January brought the snow!

Followed by an increase of birds into the garden.

Together with some beautiful sunrises as it began to disappear.

Then, never far away from us in the UK this year, the inevitable floods…..and on a sunny day, even they can look beautiful!

However, looking around in the garden and I can see the first new signs of renewal….but, all of that will be for another post!

A Little Bit of Greece in September

I seem to have done quite well this year getting away, in fact some of my friends keep asking when I am back to my second home! Here are a few from our last visit to Skiathos. we tried to take a few images from around the town this time. We had never actually got up the clock tower before.

We also went over to Pounta which is across from the town and took some images looking back at it

And as usual the scenery was breathtaking.

The wildlife changes with the seasons just like it does here. There are often less in the way of butterflies and more in the way of birds but, always something of interest.

and, of course lots of quality time soaking up the sun, eating out, meeting up with friends…..

Yammas!

Skywatch Friday ~ Sunrise over Bridgnorth

We went out last Saturday to capture images in our town of the dawn ~ a little unusual for me 😉

All taken from the Castle Walk.

Other Skywatch images from around the world can be found on the Skyley blogspot.

Ironbridge in Lights

After arriving back from our holidays, I was reminded by a friend that the Ironbridge festival was on. I was by far too out of practice for the fireworks but had a great time taking the bridge lit up in many colours.

The celebration this year marked 25 years as World Heritage Site. For those that don’t know, this bridge was built by Abraham Darby in iron which opened in 1791 and marked the beginning of the industrial revolution.

For those of you that prefer fireworks, there are some on Andy’s blog ~ link opposite 😉

Skywatch Friday ~ Bridgnorth Walkabout

I am so bad for forgetting about Friday when it is a Thursday…yes I can see people rolling their eyes and rightly so!!! So my apologies for being a little late..
However, I do have some lovely blue sky images from the weekend from a walkabout locally. Some of you may have seen some pics on my better half’s blog but, we never see the same things ~ the joy of photography is that it is a lot like art…and we all see a different picture!

No sky here but this sign outside a local pub…just because it made me laugh 😀

Followed by some flowers because I can… 🙂

Finally, if there are any funicular railway fans…here you are complete with blue skies and fluffy clouds.

Other skywatch images from around the world can be found here
Happy Skywatch to everyone 🙂

Bad Hair Day

A fledgling thrush who has clearly not left the nest too long!

Simply Skiathos

Vibrant Tulips

These were another flower spotted in a neighbouring garden with the fading sun providing a backlight.

Sadly, the wind and hail have been at work since so I am glad that I captured the moment.

Signs of Spring

I am going to confess something here. These beautiful Spring flowers caught my eye across the road with the sun highlighting them in the evening light. But, it is a bit embarrassing taking photographs of other people’s flowers so I waited until they had gone out. Then I ran across the road with my camera!

The next one’s are from my own garden….safely hidden in the back, which is probably all to the good. The neighbours think I am a little crazy and as you can see the pale Iris were taken in the rain 😉

These little flowers survived an awful road accident last year shortly after I purchased them. They were broken and bent (a little bit like us) and so, their survival and beauty is a poignant reminder of regrowth and rebirth ~ the Spring 🙂