Swans
Posted: March 30, 2016 Filed under: effects, Landscape, manipulations, Nature, photography, wildlife | Tags: colourful, lake, nature, outdoors, photography, swans, water 6 Comments
These images are all of the same swan. His mate was on the far side of the lake sitting on their nest and he had conveniently come alongside the walkway. I always feel slightly guilty that I never take any bread with me because he obviously thinks he’s going to get some …. but I can’t juggle bread as well as the camera. Usually there are other people feeding them, but not today.
I made a huge mistake in not watching out for my shadow falling across him so when I got home I had to delete a lot of the pics. Not only was it my shadow, but the metal mesh at either side of the walkway cast shadows too. Some of them I was able to rescue with a little bit of ‘cloning’. Anyway – I still had plenty that I was pleased with and again – I enjoyed making them look a bit different with my PSP and ON1 plugin.
More From the Pond
Posted: March 29, 2016 Filed under: effects, Landscape, Nature, photography | Tags: birds, colourful, lake, nature, outdoors, photography, water 6 Comments
I’ve taken so many photos over at the Pond now so I thought I would get a bit of ‘creativity’ going by using some ON1 effects on these. Normally I don’t like images to look too unreal/unbelievable, but I think I can get away with these … not to the purists’ taste of course, but I’m all for a bit of experimentation! How wonderful that our Creator has given us the ability to create from His originals!
Please leave any comments or constructive criticisms …. I’ll be posting some swan pictures later today/tomorrow. Take care, Eileen
The Ifield Pond in Winter
Posted: February 6, 2016 Filed under: Landscape, Nature, photography, Trees, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tags: colourful, lake, nature, photography, trees, Wild life 2 Comments
This was taken on one of the few sunny days we’ve had recently. There was ice floating around on the lake and parts were really completely iced over. I loved the clear reflections of the trees and a pair of swans sunning themselves on the far side.
Just humour him dear !
When I got round to the other side this photographer got himself a prime spot – it was amazing they let him get so close. They weren’t bothered by him at all.
It was quite a comical sight to see the various ducks, coots etc trying to keep their balance but they took it all in their stride , if you’ll excuse the pun ….
We can DO this chaps !
I added a warm ‘sunset’ effect to this image….
No Fishing Today
At various places around the Lake the local Council have built several platforms to fish from – there were no takers this day though.
Ablaze
Amid all the dark, bare trees this one stood out because of it’s blazing orange colour against the clear blue sky – I’ve no idea what tree it is !! in the pic below it shows the clear image of the moon above it. It really was a glorious day !
As I got nearer to it I kept taking shots and zoomed in on this one. The colour did change in camera as a result, but I did a bit of artistic ‘tweaking’ afterwards on some too, but all within what I call enhancement I hope and not overdoing things. It was truly a glorious colour au naturelle – honest !
I’m going to try to be more active on my Blog – the trouble is that I have a finger in too many pies I think, as I belong to several photography sites. The good thing about blogging though is that I can post as many pics in one go as I like.
till next time, Eileen
The Ifield Pond in October
Posted: November 6, 2015 Filed under: Landscape, Nature, photography, Trees, Wild Life | Tags: birds, colourful, lake, nature, trees, water 2 Comments
This is the first year I’ve visited the Pond in Autumn and that’s because there is a now this lovely new path bordering the Lake so I don’t have to get my shoes wet in the mud. However the fallen leaves can be a bit slippery to walk on when it’s rained. These pics were taken before the rains came …
View from the Bridge
There were a lot of seagulls on the Lake and many of them were lined up on the side-rails of the walkway. I knew they would fly away as I approached so I went slowly and had to use the camera’s zoom before I got too near – not nearly as good as having a camera with proper zoom lens attached, but I was quite pleased with the results ….
Have you got my best side?
The original shots of the gulls were a little bit sharper and deeper in colour, but I liked the soft effect I got while messing around with the effects in my PSP. Another bit of artistic licence [which I’m prone to do cos I enjoy it!]
see you soon dv, Eileen
Ablutions
Posted: October 3, 2015 Filed under: Nature, photography, wildlife | Tags: birds, close up, lake, nature, swans, water Leave a comment
Just Having a Stretch
Took another stroll around the Ifield Pond the other day and was so pleased to see all the water birds were back.
This lovely Swan came from far across the lake – could he really see me from there? well he must have done cos he made a beeline straight for me … He must have thought I had bread for him I guess, but alas I didn’t. I was standing on a little bank where the water was quite shallow and he came right up to the edge. I thought he would soon leave again but to my delighted surprise he stayed and decided to do his ablutions.
I’m the Boss!
Who’s a Pretty Boy?
Hope you enjoy looking at the pics as much as I enjoyed taking them, [everyone seems to say that] …. I’m hoping the weather will stay nice for longer so that I can get more pics. I may be posting some ‘scenery’ tomorrow as I took loads of the trees and woody areas around the lake too.
Have a lovely day everyone, see you soon, Eileen
Water Birds
Posted: August 19, 2015 Filed under: Nature, photography, Wild Life | Tags: birds, Ducks, Geese, Greylag Goose, lake, Muscovy Duck, photography, swans, water 2 Comments
Another visit to the Ifield Pond – there have been some great changes made by the local council and I can now walk around the lake without getting shoes wet or muddy. The new walkway , although a bit of an eyesore if you want to photograph a distance view of the scenery, is nonetheless a great addition as it takes you right across the lake and around the other side. There is such a variety of birds and I am learning the names of those I’ve never seen before. This one is a Greylag Goose.
Greylag Goose
Muscovy Duck
The water looked rather murky in the next few shots so I used a bit of artistic licence in my PSP and On1 software. Applied a blue filter, softened a bit and added borders or vignettes.
I knew that there were a couple of Herons there, but on the rare occasions I saw them, they were too far away to get a shot [I don’t have a camera I can attach lenses too]. Since the walkway goes to the far side of the lake they are now more in range if I see them at all. So – this was a very lucky and rare opportunity!
Swanning Around
Posted: September 17, 2014 Filed under: Nature, photography, Wild Life | Tags: lake, nature, outdoors, photography, swans, water, water drops, Wild life Leave a comment
As someone who doesn’t get around much, I am forever grateful to the Lord that I have a Wildlife area right at the bottom of my road. Now that I’ve got to know the place more since moving here nearly three years ago [tempus fugit!], I find I’m visiting it quite regularly. There are big changes going on to the Pond’s layout and it looks like it will be really good stuff with new permanent paths being built, plus fishing areas and a ‘viewing platform’ in the middle of the lake.
I was delighted to capture this swan after his ‘ducking’ and diving, with the water drops from his beak. It was what I was hoping for but didn’t know I’d got till I uploaded the pics to my laptop.
Then he conveniently swam round nearer to my viewing point ….. probably thought I had some bread to feed him. As you can see – it was a lovely sunny, hot day …. my, we’ve had a good summer this year.
see you soon, Eileen
Pond [er] Again
Posted: July 22, 2014 Filed under: Events, Landscape, Nature, photography, Wild Life | Tags: birds, bit of fun, digital, Ducks, feathers, Geese, image, lake, landscape, nature, outdoors, paintshop, Paintshop Pro, Paintshop Pro software, photography, photos, Pond, water, weather, Wild life Leave a comment
As well as buying a new camera I went mad and bought an updated version of my Paintshop Pro software – x6. I tinkered around a bit with the colour on these duck images. They were in dappled shade which I quite liked, but I think I could probably have got more light within the shadows. If I decide to have another go I may post the results here to compare. There is a lot that is the same in my update, but a lot that’s unfamiliar to me, so I’m on a learning curve as usual.
I’ll sign off now …… please leave any comments or suggestions, or even ‘like’ or ‘share’ ! Eileen
Once More Unto the Pond, Dear Friends
Posted: July 19, 2014 Filed under: Landscape, Nature, photography, Trees, Wild Life | Tags: 'new camera', 'Olympus Stylus 1', birds, blue, change of scenery, colour, colourful, digital, Ducks, Geese, image, lake, landscape, nature, Olympus Stylus, outdoors, Park Cameras, peaceful, photography, photos, Pond, scenery, swans, tranquil, trees, water, weather, Wild life Leave a comment
Fortunately I’d chosen to visit the Pond a few days before the present heatwave really hit us. Nevertheless – it was a really bright,sunny day and I was armed with my brand new camera – Olympus Stylus 1 – recommended by a very helpful assistant at Park Cameras in Burgess Hill. Because I’m struggling with the settings etc I ended up going back to ‘auto’ . I know I could have done better, but hope I’ll get brownie points for trying!
I do feel the need for a kindly hand to guide me or a nearby class to join, but meanwhile , though it takes twice as long when you don’t know what you’re doing, I will learn by swotting and trial and error – and I will try to compensate by being ‘artistic’ …. But – I’m loving my new Stylus 1 and something I didn’t think I’d find easy is using the view-finder! My not so efficient eyesight means I prefer to use the screen to take my pics usually. But this viewfinder is a good size and switches from the screen mode automatically when you press said viewfinder to your brow. I’m sure it’s making me hold the camera steadier too.
As I took rather a lot of pics I will spread them over a couple of posts. Some are of the scenery, some of the wildlife and some of people and doggies.
This is taken from a small concrete bridge where the Lake leads into a somewhat stagnant looking canal. It is very quiet and secluded and the reflections of the surrounding greenery are lovely.
There is a little peahen[?] at left foreground in above pic …..
A little bit further along, the Lake narrows and is dissected by a road, the other side seems to be quite a little haven for the ducks and geese as they like to gather there to be fed by everybody. It’s a very picturesque part …
From another angle. I liked the shadow patterns of the tree.
Well folks, as usual, I would really appreciate any comments or thoughts on these images, if you have the inclination. see you soon with some doggie pics.
many blessings, Eileen
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