Wednesday, 30 December 2009

Crumplehound.





















According to his owners, this 13 week old "Crumplehound" named google, is a medical first.

Allegedly, during a bout of youthful exuberance, a collision with a lamp post instantly reduced his 3ft length to a mere 18 inches, thus accounting for the excess folds of skin.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Lammergeier, N E India.
























Lammergeier, Nainital highway, NE India. Winter.

At 5500ft along the Nainital highway [N E India], the jungle falls away to be replaced by wide open valleys where pairs of Lammergeier can be seen circling at eye level.

Canon 20D + 100-400mm lens. Hand held.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Thursday, 24 December 2009

Chance Encounter. Winter Blackbird.















European Blackbird, Yorkshire, England.

With snow all around and Christmas approaching, this male Blackbird stocks up for survival in the sub zero night to come.

Canon 40D + 70- 200mm Canon IS lens. Fill flash. 400ASA. Fine Jpeg

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Cheetahs battle Impala
















Cheetahs battle Impala, Samburu, Kenya

The last shot in my camera [film days] captured this life and death struggle which the Impala finally lost.

The Cheetahs were totally spent after a titanic 15 minute defence by the gazelle and lay panting in the afternoon heat.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Banded Demoiselle, England.

















Banded Demoiselle, England.

Most of the time these male insects sit with their 2 pairs of wings neatly folded, one upon the other.

This changes in a quick flurry if a bright green female happens along, as in this case.

Canon 20D + 70-300mm Sigma Apo.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Sunday, 20 September 2009

The Autumn. 190909. England.


















Comma butterfly on blackberries.

Canon 40D + 24-105mm Canon IS lens. Fine jpeg. 1/80 @ f11. Hand held.

How often do we go out looking for this and end up finding that.

This the result of a woodland walk looking for fungi.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Friday, 18 September 2009

Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly. England.

















Broad Bodied Chaser, Old Moor Wetlands, Barnsley, England.

Canon 20D + Sigma 70-300mm APO macro. [70mm @ 3ft]

Although not possessing a dedicated macro lens, small objects sometimes fall within the remit of my Sigma macro zoom.

Such was the case of this dragonfly which landed [and stayed] on a stem only approx 3ft from the footpath.

I believe the overcast conditions [which I prefer for digital photography] helped the situation as the insects were were less mobile than in full sun.

Copyright: Kevin Smith