A pond skater, zipping across the pond: I fear the swallows have abandoned their nest in the barn, the nearest too ‘in-flight’ photos I managed during their residency was the reflection in the pond, of a pair of birds taking off from their perch on the overhead power lines.
Which makes for a bit of a surreal topsy-turvy image, I like the ‘twang’ of the power line, as the bird with outstretched wings takes off.
Watching the rhythm of rural life, from the top of a hill in northern England.
Having spent most of my life avoiding writing, I now need to do it!
I am no domestic goddess, but if I were expecting visitors to my home, I would whisk round with the duster and plump up the cushions and generally make the place look presentable. I hope that by putting my words where others may see them it will encourage me to ‘tidy up and push the Hoover around’ my writing.
On the other hand I may just be adding to the compost heap. Only time will tell!
Pull up a chair, sit yourself down, I’ll put the kettle on.
The image of the pond skater is good. Nice and crisp.
You did well to catch the birds, too. Birds taking off move their wings vigorously and it’s hard to get an image that isn’t pure blur. Here there’s just enough blur to suggest movement.
When I photograph birds I don’t try for the “shot”, I just bang away, hoping to get something because I know that if I wait for the pose and then press the button, I’ll probably just get an empty frame!
What wonderful images! Some of it is the patience to wait for what you want, some of it the knowledge of where to go looking, some of it hard-won skills . . . but Mrs. Uhdd, you have talent to spare.
I really like the first photo! I was surprised to see a couple of swallows (?) swooping around the sky the other day whilst walking to the libarary. xx
great photos – pond skaters were a wonder to me as a kid – I thought it must be a joke then someone made a point of taking me to wildlife center to see them for myself!
The twang is fab.
The funny thing about the photo of the swallows is that it was a lucky accident. Mrs UHDD was taking photos by the pond when I pointed out the reflection of the two swallows perched on the wires. Just as she tried to snap the reflection of them, they took to the air, making a much more interesting shot.
Might that be the first ever photographed twang I wonder. Rather special that. I know the places you mention. I have a sister in Duffield, and youth hostelled once upon a time in Derbyshire – I was born in Nottingham. I sometimes use a mail order service from one of the Bakewell Tart shops – but I’ve not yet heard of the phantom car park woman who exchanges mysterious packages…
June 7, 2010 at 7:43 pm
How I love that shot of the swallows – fantastic!! It looks as if they are plummetting to earth!
June 7, 2010 at 8:25 pm
The image of the pond skater is good. Nice and crisp.
You did well to catch the birds, too. Birds taking off move their wings vigorously and it’s hard to get an image that isn’t pure blur. Here there’s just enough blur to suggest movement.
When I photograph birds I don’t try for the “shot”, I just bang away, hoping to get something because I know that if I wait for the pose and then press the button, I’ll probably just get an empty frame!
June 7, 2010 at 9:06 pm
What wonderful images! Some of it is the patience to wait for what you want, some of it the knowledge of where to go looking, some of it hard-won skills . . . but Mrs. Uhdd, you have talent to spare.
June 7, 2010 at 9:35 pm
We noticed that too. Very nice.
June 8, 2010 at 7:52 am
I really like the first photo! I was surprised to see a couple of swallows (?) swooping around the sky the other day whilst walking to the libarary. xx
June 8, 2010 at 10:19 am
great photos – pond skaters were a wonder to me as a kid – I thought it must be a joke then someone made a point of taking me to wildlife center to see them for myself!
The twang is fab.
June 8, 2010 at 8:55 pm
The funny thing about the photo of the swallows is that it was a lucky accident. Mrs UHDD was taking photos by the pond when I pointed out the reflection of the two swallows perched on the wires. Just as she tried to snap the reflection of them, they took to the air, making a much more interesting shot.
June 9, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Love the pairing of the images. Somehow – it works!!!
June 9, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Very cool images. I like the shape of the ripples made by the pond skater. Nice twang, too.
June 11, 2010 at 9:35 am
Might that be the first ever photographed twang I wonder. Rather special that. I know the places you mention. I have a sister in Duffield, and youth hostelled once upon a time in Derbyshire – I was born in Nottingham. I sometimes use a mail order service from one of the Bakewell Tart shops – but I’ve not yet heard of the phantom car park woman who exchanges mysterious packages…