My goodness...

Steve

Smooth Hawksbeard is the closest I can find in Mrs. L's wildflower book, so that must be what it is. The book says it grows in "rough and waste ground", which is a pretty good description of where it is growing in the garden. The picture was taken in the kitchen, having found that the breakfast bar gives a solid base for macro photography. It's a focus stack of many (possibly too many...) images taken with K3 + Irix 150mm. I didn't notice the greenflies until doing the stacking. Had to do some careful cloning because one of the wretched things moved during the image sequence . And every greenfly found anywhere in the house over the summer is now doubtless due to me taking this photo...

Thoughts, comments etc. welcome as usual.




Steve

Wouldn't that mean it isn't pointless and thus invalidate the whole point of it?

Steve

Cheap beer for life! That's what Piddle brewery has awarded me and others who have bought from them during lockdown. Prices were discounted when pubs had to close, they're now going back up again - but not for us. Saves about 20%. Can't complain about that!

Steve

There's woodburners and woodburners. One of my children had an ultra-modern, pollution-friendly one installed, that's apparently legal and environmentally OK. Older ones can send all sorts of nasties up the chimney. Reminds me of the good old days of London smogs, so thick you couldn't see your hand if you held your arm out and you could taste it even with your mouth closed. At least you could see what was out to get you then.

Steve

How nice to find a fellow photographer who understands and appreciates the ways of houseleeks .

Most people who see the collection can't get excited about them and probably think I'm a bit odd (which might in fact be true, but not for that reason...).

Steve

You sound very relieved!!!

+1 for wrapping strap round wrist if not round neck. And when camera is left for a while, the strap is looped up with an elastic band or cable tie so it doesn't go all over the place when camera is picked up.

Incidentally, just because the strap caught on a drawer handle doesn't mean it has to come straight off. My trouser pockets often catch on door handles, but you'll all be pleased to know that I'm still wearing trousers!

Some similarities to what happened to me 15 years ago. Wife and I on holiday in the Outer Hebrides. Stopped at a remote bit of coast to buy smoked salmon (as you do). Rocky beach looked interesting for a photo or two. Clambered down onto rocks covered in wet seaweed, being very careful of course. Wife stayed in car. I slipped, went horizontal. Heard bang as camera (P30 film thing) hit rocks. Sharp pain in foot, so stayed on ground for a few seconds working out how to get up without immediately going down again. Lorry pulls up, big bloke gets out, asks if I'm OK and helps me get up and back to the car. Wife has been silent throughout. Some 'interesting' words exchanged. It turned out she had thought I was doing something silly to get a good angle for a photo...

And the camera and lens? A bit of a ding on the rim of the filter, but otherwise OK. Pentax builds 'em tough. Tougher than me - a badly sprained foot that took a couple of months to get back to normal and still gives the occasional twinge.

Steve

You've got it! It's one of a few places on the circuit to stop and take in the view - and know that I'm just the latest person in thousands of years to be doing so.

Steve

Thanks. You're right about needing a larger image - funny how small things often look their best when seen big.
The Irix is an impressive lens. You'll enjoy it - particularly knowing that it's cost you a lot less than I had to pay for it at the beginning of last year!

No depilatory cream on my houseleeks, thank you. The grown-up versions aren't obviously hairy so presumably they start doing it themselves when they reach adolescence.

Steve

Thanks
It really was. The ears were level with mine. Never seen it so high before. And during a very dry couple of months, too.

Steve