Froglets

When I started my blog back in September 2014 my first shot was of a small frog that I found on a wonderful trip to the New Forest in Hampshire, one of my favourite places to be.

Today's offering is of two tiny froglets that I spotted on my recent walk around Mere Sands Wood. On a previous walk there had been hundreds of frogs hopping across the paths, risking all to get to the ponds and meres. It was quite a challenge getting around the woods without stepping on one.

On Monday there were fewer frogs but as I had my macro lens attached I was able to get a few shots as you can see above. It was quite tricky to be honest as I had to keep moving my left hand with the frog on it and to hold my camera steady and shoot one handed. 

I hope you will agree that the results are worth it. You can see how tiny the frogs are as they are smaller than the middle section of my index finger and they are really very cute.

Just Chillin'

So it has been difficult to post anything for a few days due to lack of WiFi, and the fact that I have travelled half way across Ontario from Toronto to Thunder Bay on the Northern shore of Lake Superior. It has been a wonderful experience seeing chipmunks, a beaver, an otter, eagles (Golden and Bald) and to top it all a big Black Bear lumbering across the road in front of us. The only downside to all of that was that as I was driving I couldn't take any pictures.

Today however the pace has been slower and I've spent some of the evening, after eating Don's famous sticky ribs, watching and photographing ruby throated humming birds. It's another bucket list item ticked off and I can't wait to share them once I get back home.

This afternoon we all went off to swim in the cascades just outside of town. It was really sunny and super hot so sinking into the cold water was a real treat. It was in one of the small pools away from the rapids that I saw this little cutie and thought it would be good to share it with you.

I will try to share a few more shots in the coming days to give you a flavour of my trip.

A Frog on a Stick

So today I am in St Helier, capital of the island state of Jersey. I'm here for work and only have limited time between appointments and my flights so sadly I don't have any real opportunity to take photos.

Added to the time constraints the weather this evening has been abysmal and I felt like I'd had a bath in my clothes by the time I got back to my hotel. I had mananged to find a nice restaurant and so after some succulent lamb and some delicious profiteroles my mood was lifted somewhat (those who know me well will know how much I like profiteroles).

Anyway the first of today's images is of a statue of a frog which was perched upon a stone column in a small square in the centre of the town. It was unusual and quirky and therefore worthy of a spot in my blog.
The other shots are abstract images of the lights around the harbour which I rather like. I hope you do too.

I have to start somewhere. . .

I have been interested in photography for many years having first got to grips with a Kodak Brownie as a child but starting properly in 1980 with my first camera, a Praktica MTL5 and eventually upgrading to an Olympus OM10 which I used for many years.  I focused mainly on B&W and even did a bit of processing using a cheap darkroom setup in the bathroom.   But that was a long time ago and when the kids came along my hobby took a back seat, cameras were sold and I wondered if I would ever get back to it.

In 2001 I bought my first digital camera, a Konika  4mp compact which reawakened my passion and I longed for a DSLR but for so long I couldn't justify the expense.  I eventually took the plunge and bought a Canon 450D (which cost little more than the Konika had a few years previously). I gradually invested in a few lenses and I happily snapped away everywhere I went.

I now proudly own a Canon 6D and a couple of EF lenses and my youngest son has my 450D and we have had some good times and I have enjoyed sharing my interest with him. 

I have enjoyed sharing my favourite pictures with family and friends and I love getting feedback. I have now decided to create a blog with the intention of sharing my pictures with a wider audience, at least that's what I hope for, and I welcome comments and criticism so that I can develop and improve.  

I will be posting individual favourites from past and present and I decided to start with this picture which I snapped on a very memorable day in the New Forest in June this year. I was balancing on a log when I heard a rustling in the leaf litter and I spotted this little frog. After bit of careful handling it was taken using my Canon EF 24-105mm at 105mm f4.0 ISO100.  I'm very fond of this little frog, let me know what you think. . .