Sunday 9th May

Cornflower found on my allotment, such beautiful flowers



Young stag that I bumped into last night.

Zack's 18 month piccies!

Zack turned 18 months yesterday. OMG, I can't even begin to describe what a HORRIBLE age this is to photgraph. Being Mr Independent, he wanted to be off doing his own thing, but seeing as I couldn't use my zoom lens, it meant I couldn't just photograph him doing his thing from afar.

Things didn't start well.....



Managed to get him to stand still for a moment!





He's off!



I couldn't believe my luck when I saw this on the computer for the 1st time. We were trying to teach him to blow the dandelion seed heads, but he preferred the pinch and throw method!

The demise of my 70-210 lens

It was inevitable that one of my lenses would eventually become faulty. To be fair, it wasn't like it was a sudden thing. The light meter went screwy early last year. It worked fine in auto, but in manual, it would over expose everything, usually badly if it said the exposure was correct. I usually had to guess. Then over the last few weeks I noticed some of my shots were not as sharp as they should be. At first I thought it was me. Then I did a controlled test, using a tripod, a still life object and a timer to avoid camera shake. It is definitely the lens and not me. Dh & I discussed the pro's & cons of a new camera against just replacing the lens. As much as I am feeling the limitations of my current camera body, I can not justify the price of upgrading when we are about to have our kitchen done. So bought a "new" second hand minolta 70-300mm lens today. I can't wait for it to get here as it is what I use for wildlife... including my wild little Zack, pmsl!

These are the last shots I got with my 70-210. Look how soft the second shot is (photographer speak for out of focus!). I love it though, so processed it in a way to give it a dreamy, soft look.

Some random struff from the last week

Dandelion seed:





Keyboard



Flowers and landscape

Two from today.

I couldn't resist this shot of my hubby with my youngest, so sweet & tender



Went and picked up a bleeding heart plant today. I remember my mum having 1 when I was little. I love the flowers and it is oh so appropriate. I love how delicate and yet detailed this came out.

I think I have a bit of a thing for Wall-E!!

I have no shame! I openly play with the kids toys and my favourite by far is Wall-E. He is just so expressive. I have searched high & lo for an Eve. We have one but the boys lost the stand and the flaps on her front. Ebay - here I come!

Playing with light & shadows and cuteness overload!

I bought myself from fressias the other day. It comes to something when you buy yourself flowers for something different to photograph, lol! They were a lovely yellow but this really had more impact in B&W



The next day I took all the boys to the Wolsely nature reserve and we came across some "fresh out the egg" ducklings. The little fluff balls were just adorable and were attracting a lot of attention