i m a g e o f t h e m o n t h - 2 0 0 6
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DECEMBER 2006
Maple leaf and reflected sedges
An unusually late autumn and windless day meant I was able to capture this solitary maple leaf against reflected sedges and peat stained waters by the edge of a pool in the Upper Derwent Valley, Peak District National Park.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 180mm f/3.5L Macro lens - f/16 @ 1 second - ISO 100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
NOVEMBER 2006
Ladybower reflection
Perfectly calm days in the Peak District are comparatively rare and when combined with vibrant autumnal colours make for some very evocative imagery.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 17-40mm f/4L lens - f/16 @ 1/4 sec. - ISO 100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
OCTOBER 2006
Burbage Brook
Overcast light and heavy overnight rainfall provided the ideal conditions to capture the silky flowing water of Burbage Brook in spat. The saturated moss and lichen encrusted boulders are typical of this ancient woodland gorge in the Peak District National Park.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 17-40mm f/4L lens - f/18 @ 3.2 seconds - ISO 100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
SEPTEMBER 2006
Red Grouse
I have spent literally hundreds of hours photographing the Peak District's red grouse. Partially hidden by a thicket of ling this cock bird would occasionally peer over the vegetation to investigate it's surroundings, before announcing it's presence with it's distinctive go back! go-back! go-back! go-back! back! back! ba! ba! call.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 300mm f/4L IS lens plus 1.4x extender @ 1/250 sec. ISO 200 - Beanbag.
AUGUST 2006
Lyme Cage painted with torch light
This distinctive folly overlooks South Manchester was lit by torch light at 9.45 p.m. This was my first experiment with painting with light which has opened up a multitude of possibilities for future projects.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens - f/8 @ 30 seconds ISO 100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
JULY 2006
European Preying Mantis
The typical behaviour of threat posturing is used as a defence method by many species of preying mantis throughout the world, it's also accompanied by a loud hissing sound produced by the wings rubbing together.
Canon 5D - 180mm f/3.5L macro lens - f/11 @ 1/15 sec. ISO 200 - Gitzo 1548 tripod.
JUNE 2006
Oxeye Daises, Viper's Bugloss & Weld
Ox-eye daises are a common enough site throughout June as they grow en-masse along our roadside verges. While out searching for butterflies to photography one evening I stumbled upon literally thousands upon thousands of ox-eye daises interspersed with impressive spikes of viper's-bugloss and the delicate spikes of weld.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 24mm TS-E f/3.5L lens - f/8 @ 1/4 sec. ISO 100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
MAY 2006
Golden Eagle
For sheer majesty the golden eagle has no competitors. With a wing-span exceeding 7 ft, they soar high above the Highland peaks in search of mountain hare, ptarmigan and carrion. A solitary eagle posed momentarily on the skeleton of a dead pine in Glenfeshie Forest before once again taking to the air. A once in a lifetime opportunity captured in the blink of an eye.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 500mm f/4L IS lens - f/8 @ 1/60 sec. ISO 200 - Beanbag.
APRIL 2006
Edinburgh skyline
Edinburgh is one of the world's most enchanting cities, steeped in history and visited by tourists from around the globe. It's skyline as charismatic as that of any city in the world. I waited until the warm tones of rising sun light glanced over the city before making this exposure at 5.45 a.m.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 17-40mm f/4L lens - f/16 @ 1/6 sec. ISO 100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
MARCH 2006
The Mystical Lake
Transformed from the ordinary into the extraordinary as a veil of mist shrouds this lake in Cheshire. A grey heron oblivious to my presence sits motionless in a birch. Soon the wisps of mist will disappear and the lake transformed back to the familiar.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 500mm f/4L IS lens - f/8 @ 1/15 sec. ISO 100 - Beanbag.
FEBRUARY 2006
White Peak dawn
The Peak District despite it's name has very few peaks. The name "peak" originally deriving it's name from an ancient tribe that once inhabited the region. The distinctive peaks of Parkhouse & Chrome Hills (pronounced "chrume") nestle amongst the gently rounded hills of the White Peak.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 300mm f/4L IS lens - f/16 @ 1/6 sec. ISO 100 - Beanbag.
JANUARY 2006
Crested Tit
The pointed crest distinguishes the species from other tits. Confined to the Highlands they forage amongst Caledonian pines in search of insects, though juniper berries are also eaten during periods of extreme weather.
Canon 1D MkII - 300mm f/4L lens plus 1.4 extender @ 1/30 sec. ISO 200 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
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