Your R System Images - January 2024

[PKM-UK]

Some shots from recent wood walks - the mud has given way to frost (the good thing about a variable climate is there's always something new to moan about!).

Venue - Hartshill Country Park, Warwickshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PhotoLab Elite, Adobe Lightroom Classic/ Photoshop and Topaz Labs Photo AI).

Phil


1. Good morning...

2. Ah, ooh - can you just hold it there for a few seconds while I get my stuff together? (No).

3. Hello matey...

4. Hold it right there...

5. Wind chill...

6. Waiting for a chance to succeed...

 

[Kamoshika]

Pushing the limits: sun setting, 100-500+1.4 extender, under a tree, dark, focusing through branches, handheld, 700mm, 1/50s, ISO 6400, but...a usable shot (with a little help from DxO PL7).

 

[PKM-UK]

Pushing the limits: sun setting, 100-500+1.4 extender, under a tree, dark, focusing through branches, handheld, 700mm, 1/50s, ISO 6400, but...a usable shot (with a little help from DxO PL7).View attachment 23844

Hi David,

Well, you certainly rose to all of the challenges (which, in combination, took some doing!) and absolutely nailed the shot - and what a little cutie!

(You did very well to spot the subject in the first place too!).

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[Kamoshika]

Hi David,

Well, you certainly rose to all of the challenges (which, in combination, took some doing!) and absolutely nailed the shot - and what a little cutie!

(You did very well to spot the subject in the first place too!).

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

Thank you.

 

[PKM-UK]

More of the usual suspects...

Venue - Hartshill Country Park, Warwickshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PhotoLab Elite, Adobe Lightroom Classic/ Photoshop and Topaz Labs Photo AI).

Phil


1. H-e-l-l-o...

2. Sitting on the fence...

3. What a cutie...

4. Hello bright eyes...

5. Waiting for the right moment...

6. Sorted...

 

[Kamoshika]

Wow! another set of beautiful shots!

 

[PKM-UK]

Wow! another set of beautiful shots!

Hi David,

Cheers - very much appreciated!

Phil

 

[MikeZ]

Another great set, and the 100-500 is amazing.

 

[PKM-UK]

Another great set, and the 100-500 is amazing.

Hi Mike,

Cheers - much appreciated!

I really enjoy using this lens - paired with our R5 or R7 it's a joy.

Phil

 

[Kamoshika]

Two little birds from recent walks in the neighborhood. A Japanese white-eye (mejiro) and a Bull-headed shrike (mozu).

 

[PKM-UK]

Two little birds from recent walks in the neighborhood. A Japanese white-eye (mejiro) and a Bull-headed shrike (mozu).View attachment 23908View attachment 23909

Hi David,

Two wonderful captures of beautiful creatures - great poses, with terrific fine feather detail and you nailed the eye catch-light.

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[Kamoshika]

Hi David,

Two wonderful captures of beautiful creatures - great poses, with terrific fine feather detail and you nailed the eye catch-light.

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

Thank you. The Japanese white-eye (also known as a warbling white-eye) was warbling up a storm, just begging me to take a shot.

 

[PKM-UK]

Winter in the woods - continued...

Venue - Hartshill Country Park, Warwickshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PhotoLab Elite, Adobe Lightroom Classic/ Photoshop and Topaz Labs Photo AI).

Phil


1. Hello bright eyes...

2. Go on, you know you want to...

3. Yes, it's us again...

4. On the brink of succeeding...

5. In a delicate state of balance...

6. H-e-l-l-o...

 

[Dean Wilson]

Final Approach

In subfreezing weather there are Bushtits that refuse to fly South to hang around for a snack. Or is this South of where they came from!?!?

 

[PKM-UK]

Final Approach

In subfreezing weather there are Bushtits that refuse to fly South to hang around for a snack. Or is this South of where they came from!?!?

View attachment 23975

Hi Dean,

A moment very well caught - the question is, are we seeing the Darwin Theory in action, stayers vs migrators (and which group will ultimately thrive?)?

(Either way, this bunch look to be very happy!).

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

As we prepare for our first 'Frank Fest' of the year - frost, followed by heavy rain and high winds is being forecast for the coming weekend ( ) - some more of the local birdage...

Venue - Hartshill Country Park, Warwickshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PhotoLab Elite, Adobe Lightroom Classic/ Photoshop and Topaz Labs Photo AI).

Phil

1. And a Good Morning to you...

2. Hello bright eyes...

3. That's going to be a big nut to crack...

4. Yes, it's for you...

5. Choices, choices...

6. Don't forget to look up...

 

[Kamoshika]

Pose for the camera.

 

[PKM-UK]

Pose for the camera.
View attachment 24192

Hi David,

An outstanding capture of an absolutely beautiful creature - quite rightly looking suitably impressed by your tech!

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[MrSparks999]

Wow, some stunning shots in here

 

[Kamoshika]

Some more action from yesterday. These were from far out, so heavy crops.

Going in hard.

Big splash.

Water cold and wet.

Embarrassing fail.

 

[PKM-UK]

Some more action from yesterday. These were from far out, so heavy crops.

Going in hard.
View attachment 24206

Big splash.
View attachment 24207

Water cold and wet.
View attachment 24208

Embarrassing fail.
View attachment 24209

Hi David,

Wow, you can just feel the intensity of the moment from these shots (a penny for the thoughts of any fish looking up in shot 1... ) - so well done for maintaining your tracking, keeping a steady hand and getting some terrific images.

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[Kamoshika]

Hi David,

Wow, you can just feel the intensity of the moment from these shots (a penny for the thoughts of any fish looking up in shot 1... ) - so well done for maintaining your tracking, keeping a steady hand and getting some terrific images.

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

Thank you. I need to go back soon now that I realize they're active in this particular area. Hopefully, I can get some closer shots.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi David,

That's an absolutely wonderful subject to go out looking for - good luck!

P&K

 

[Bucolic Old Sir Henry]

Epic skies last night...

Yesterday was hot - up to 32ºC - with a Norwester blowing over the Alps, creating the wave clouds to be lit from beneath by the setting sun. Sometimes they can be lenticular layers, last night they were outrageous streaks and lumps.

Edited fairly extensively in LRC, using the blue drama adaptive sky preset, tweaked to warm it up to match the colours I saw, then an inverted sky mask to brighten up the foreground a tad.

Not sure about the crop on the first one. If I take the left hand tree out, the crepuscular rays are no longer roughly centred, and the image looks unbalanced.

 

[Bucolic Old Sir Henry]

By way of contrast, She Who Must Be Obeyed has discovered an enthusiasm for little succulents in pots around the house and back garden. This flower recently appeared on the front verandah. Image is a focus stack of 10 exposures, processed in Photoshop 24, tweaked in LRC.

 

[dgphoto8]

Images from our recent(ish) visit to Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PhotoLab Elite/ ViewPoint and Adobe Lightroom Classic/ Photoshop with TK-9 Panels).

You can find out more about Hanbury Hall by clicking Here.

Phil and Karen


1. From the Norman Conquest onwards, the Hanbury Estate was within the boundaries of the Royal Forest of Feckenham. The Vernon family, one of the most prominent families in Worcestershire, began building the hall in 1701.

View attachment 23635

2. Thomas Vernon amassed a fortune as an eminent Chancery barrister for 40 years, as well as becoming Whig MP for Worcester in 1715. He married Mary Keck in 1680 but they had no children, so the estate was passed to his cousin, Bowater Vernon.

View attachment 23636

3. Thomas’ legacy at the hall included the wall and ceiling paintings that he commissioned Sir James Thornhill to create. These depict the story of Achilles and, having been recently restored, are Hanbury's crowning glory.

View attachment 23637

4. Emma Vernon inherited Hanbury in 1771 at the age of 16, using her fortune to alter the sitting room and drawing room.

View attachment 23638

5. Lady Georgina Vernon and Sir Harry Foley Vernon took great interest in the care of other people, opening The Mount as a convalescent home for soldiers injured in the Boer War in 1900, and both become involved in the Red Cross.

View attachment 23639

6. The original garden at Hanbury Hall was designed in 1705 by George London, the most celebrated garden designer of his time, creating gardens for royalty and nobility at Chatsworth, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace.

View attachment 23640

(Sources: The National Trust, Wikipedia)

Lovely capture of the details, Folks, especially the interior photos. Wonderful colors

 

[dgphoto8]

More of the usual suspects...

Venue - Hartshill Country Park, Warwickshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PhotoLab Elite, Adobe Lightroom Classic/ Photoshop and Topaz Labs Photo AI).

Phil


1. H-e-l-l-o...

View attachment 23863

2. Sitting on the fence...

View attachment 23864

3. What a cutie...

View attachment 23865

4. Hello bright eyes...

View attachment 23866

5. Waiting for the right moment...

View attachment 23867

6. Sorted...

View attachment 23868

Wonderful set of photos, love the robins

 

[dgphoto8]

A few photos from the last (very hectic) 1-2 months, starting with a half moon and full moon photo, taken with 1280 mm effective focal length with the R7 and 800 mm f/11.

This female white-breasted nuthatch is showing display behavior trying to project dominance. To be honest, these birds do this a lot and I don't think the other birds pay attention...

I captured this nice black-capped chickadee chilling out in the trees

A winter plumage American goldfinch in B&W

This pretty female eastern bluebird visited our feeder for a snack

The birds at the feeder were very concerned by a pair of red-tailed hawks circling high above our yard (one shown below), but were thrown into a tizzy by an attacking Cooper's hawk that crested over our house with the low winter sun behind, swooping suddenly down to the feeders. The Cooper's didn't catch anything and flew on, and I didn't get a photo of it

 

[PKM-UK]

Epic skies last night...


View attachment 24232View attachment 24231
Yesterday was hot - up to 32ºC - with a Norwester blowing over the Alps, creating the wave clouds to be lit from beneath by the setting sun. Sometimes they can be lenticular layers, last night they were outrageous streaks and lumps.

Edited fairly extensively in LRC, using the blue drama adaptive sky preset, tweaked to warm it up to match the colours I saw, then an inverted sky mask to brighten up the foreground a tad.

Not sure about the crop on the first one. If I take the left hand tree out, the crepuscular rays are no longer roughly centred, and the image looks unbalanced.

Hi Gareth,

What a fantastic sight - absolutely magnificent!

(Very well caught too).

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

Lovely capture of the details, Folks, especially the interior photos. Wonderful colors

Hi Don,

Thank you for those very kind words - appreciated!

The interior of Hanbury Hall is always a challenge - relatively tight spaces, lighting all over the place and very popular (so 'people-free' needs patience!).

P&K