It got rather dark in the evening and ideally for detailed shots you need to get as close as you can to your subject but this was about as good as I could get without pushing ISO too high on the Camera. ISO 800 on this shot.
GWT's 'Furnace to Flowers' project won the vote to receive a 120K to boost a fantastic project to revamp a former Steel Works sight into a wildlife haven! Very proud of GWT and their hard work to get those votes but now the work really starts! I look forward to seeing the final result! Ebbwvale are in good hands.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/huge-120000-funding-boost-transform-10439418
Whether Sky fixed my Wifi problem after a week or whether it fixed itself is unclear at this present time but either way I'm making the most of it while it is working!
You haven't missed much though! If you live in around Pontypool, you would have experienced the soggy weather we've been experiencing in the past week or so. I've tried my best to get out in it however and sporting a new 'Weather Proof' bag, I've braced the elements to try and get some shots from the local Park.
Below are a few of my favourites from my visit to a wonderful hidden gem of a sight called Forest Farm in Cardiff.
Not the first time that Mink has been seen at Forest Farm. Something that is slightly, especially if 'Friends of Forest Farm' plan on releasing any Watervowl in the future. Some Mink traps may be on the list of things to do in the future as this location isn't just a hotspot for food for the Mink, but also a good spot for the Mink to breed with a Canal, Stream and River for the Mink to hunt in.
If you're watching Autumnwatch, you would have noticed the short film on the Sexton Beetle. Fascinating lifestyle that turns the death of another species into a life support machine for their own. Recycling at its best!
The reason I'm sharing this is because I got to witness the start process of this myself at Llandegfedd Reservoir earlier on this year in April with my good friend Paul Joy who kindly heald the beetle up for me on a stick while I took a photo.
The picture below is how we found the beetle, already on location waiting ready for a female to turn up.
Rather than spam my website blog with 'for sale' adds, I thought I'd just share the Ebay Listings and leave it at that so here are the 2 items I have up at the moment. If you know of anyone who may be interested please let me know as the money will help fund my Llandegfedd Winter Feeding Station project for this winter.
Sennheiser ME66 / K6 / Rycote Pistol Grip / Windshield
Click Elite Volt Photography Bag / Workstation
I'll be putting up a donation button soon with more information about the Llandegfedd Winter Feeding Station project but for now, please share the ebay listings as it will help dramatically.
Thank you
Just in time for Christmas! I have a second hand camera bag for you nature photographers out there! If you like to go hiking and don't like to bring a tripod with you, this may be for you!
Clik Elite are an America camera photography bag specialist company who make the highest quality bags with innovating ideas and designs.
This bag is called the 'Volt' and is designed in such a way that it also stands up on its own and acts as a tripod for your camera or lighting setup. I've also used it to mount my recording gear and several other recording devices. It's a personal work station!
RRP over £400 but no longer manufactured and I'm selling it for half at £200. If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know :)
If you live in Pontypool, you certainly would have noticed the fog today! However, if you went up the mountain, it was a clear sunny day with blue skies! You never would have believed that unless you saw it for yourself but coming down from the mountain was like entering a cloud blanketing over Pontypool.
Direct sun isn't the best for 'perch' photography though as it casts shadows and makes the birds look a little contrasty but either way, here are a few of my favourites from today.
Was great to see that a few Butterflies and Dragonflies were making the most of this Autumn Sun!
Do you like Robin's? Well, the fact that Uk voters chose the Robin as their national bird suggests that people do indeed like Robins, and even though the reasons behind the votes are mainly down to the fact that a Robin is 1. easy to identify, 2. Very common and 3. Very tame, I think there is generally more to it than that. I mean, look closely at these stunning little birds and their lives are truly incredible. The amount of effort that a single Robin has to put into keeping a winter territory is outstanding and they do this while temperatures plummet.. which is more than what others can achieve. I personally love the fact that Robins continue to sing throughout winter in the Uk and to get up close and personal today was a treat.
Another common species on the bird table is our vibrant Great Tit. Yet another underrated species with really high intelligence and extensive vocalisations.
It's coming to that time of year where I'm thinking about what pictures to put in next years Calendar. I only sent them out to family last year but considering the fantastic year I've had with my photography, I'm thinking of opening up the idea to everyone. If you yourself would like a Calendar featuring my best of 2015, please contact me and we'll sort it out ready for Christmas.
Below are some from todays short session late evening in the Blaenserchan Valley
While I cannot share sensitive information, the basis of todays survey was pretty defining in that 50% of the boxes onsite needed repairing. A figure that may increase upon checking inside the boxes which is on the agenda for our next visit with a group of volunteers.
Nestbox Survey
Below is something I knocked up as part of a PDF that I've forwarded to all involved. Sensitive information isn't included and positioning of nest boxes are by no means accurate and to be used only as a guide for our volunteer workforce who will be conducting the work. 5