The Spiral Quirk

I should be ashamed to admit that I’ve been living less than 15 miles from Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden for nearly 20 years but only visited it for the first time just over a week ago. I was lucky: the weather wasn’t too promising but – although the thin cloud cover persisted – it didn’t rain and there was plenty of bright, autumn light. I had a great time in the peace and quiet (thank heavens for the occasional weekday off work!) and am looking forward to more visits. It’ll be interesting to see & record the seasonal changes.

I’ve added a new gallery with some of my photographs from that day, you can find it here.

How often do you see ladybirds on Hallowe’en?

Anyone who knows me, knows that me describing anything with eight legs as a “friend” is about as likely as me discovering I can fly! However, let me present some evidence that indicates I’m now finally able to get a mere lens-length or so away

This little fella (body length less than 1/2″, this is the full frame image as taken) had taken up residence on my rotary washing line and from somewhere I finally acquired the backbone to get close enough to point the camera at it. And a second one I found elsewhere – miracles will never cease. The focus doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny but it was a breezy afternoon and so I’m quite pleased with the results. The breeze stopped me trying extension tubes on the macro lens – not to mention I would probably have squealed and run away if I had had a closer look but maybe, just maybe, I might get there some day!

A few more shots of my new eight-legged “friend”, plus a selection of recent flower and fly images (mostly flies on flowers it has to be said …) can be found in a new album I’ve just uploaded here. Apart from 4 shots, all the images in this gallery were taken using natural light only.

…. or how to take a self-portrait using a fly.

Yesterday, I was practising taking macro shots using only natural light. The stargazer lilies – my intended photographic subject – were an instant attraction for every hoverfly in the neighbourhood so on the principle of waste not, want not, I aimed the camera at them.

To say I was surprised when I viewed this capture at 100% is an understatement!

The full image:

What I saw at 100%:

Kinda puts a whole new slant on a somewhat cliched style of self-portrait

Busy playing with my latest “toy” these days – a Canon EOS 5D Mark II – and am utterly fascinated by its video capabilities. Me being me, I’ve spent a lot of time trawling around the net looking for examples, tips and tutorials.

When I find a combination of video and macro photography (my latest photographic obsession ), I’m in seventh heaven. Today I found the absolute gem below. A fascinating event – the annual ladybug (ladybird for us Brits) swarm near Boulder, Colorado. The inclusion of a delightful toddler and the look of sheer magic on their face is simply wonderful.

I defy you to watch it and not smile yourself

5D and EX1 Lady Bug Swarm from Michael Ramsey on Vimeo.