A creative use of blown highlight! Works very well I think. I'd tone down the white-point on the ground area though, to emphasize even more the 'white-out' in the distance.

My main concern is that Louise does not feel it is her fault, just another damn thing caused by the disorder. People are very self-centred, and often only see things with their own interests at heart - especially where money & time are involved ... (My Money & My Time = big important things to big important me!) Anyone can run up against this as well - its being able to spot it in action that is a big help!

I saw the original thread, as far as it got, and I want to offer support to Louise as a member of our community ... but I was a bit uncomfortable with the way it was going and the way that support was being offered. Every person was very well meaning, caring and concerned. But we were responding to a personal matter between two people, complicated by the issue of Louise's Asbergers which makes social interactions and empathy towards another person's position more difficult for her. And we were responding to the view of that matter from one viewpoint.

I suspect that what Louise needs help with is to see things from a wider perspective ... to be able to visualize the other point of view from that other person's own inward-looking perspective ... a perspective colored by ignorance and selfishness perhaps (not understanding Louise, not being interested). And most importantly I suspect Louise needs help to see things in a more balanced context, to understand the relative importance & significance of events and what others do (ie, not very important most of the time!)

I did not think it helpful to reinforce feelings of difference & bad treatment when offering support .... the other person was labeled a 'bully' I recall, with very little to go on about the exact circumstances that lead to the misunderstandings and hurt for Louise.

Nothing I'm saying here means I think Louise is wrong to feel hurt. But offering up large dollops of disgust & outrage in isolation from the people, the understandings and expectations on both sides, is not all that productive I feel ...

Now I'm not trying to excuse any moderation actions here (Ken that is) - I don't know the true reasons for the thread deletion - (I hope it was well thought through) - but if it was on the basis that it was unlikely to lead to greater understanding of complex social interactions for Louise, the sufferer of this disorder, and that the other party was personally identifiable, then I support the removal of the thread.

Yes Ted you're right - that one is special with its looking-down view. I love the way the sun catches the wings as well and there's a nice amount of space ahead of the bird also.

All good shots well captured! Personally for this kind of image I like muted colours in the backgrounds, like grey skies, to offset the birds - I don't think deep blues complement it so well - it is something we have a fair bit of control over in PP, so I'd probably reduce the saturation a bit.

Yeah, looks like I ended up being pulled in a third direction. I think I will get another lens or 2 though as well - lots of suggestions to consider thanks to everybody. Very pleased I can keep the K7 though!

I couldn't really see a huge advantage of moving to one of the K5 varients - not many more pixels for cropping and I'm not doing low-light / high ISO flowers. It seems in summary that most here feel that the extra cropping potential from a K3 would only add up to a fairly small IQ increase on the final image (with my current glass), and that better close-focussing optics (however its done) will ultimately give better quality even on the K7.

So Glass NOT Pixels ... now, I have to find out more about those photon blocker things ....

Sorry Doug, you've lost me there ...

I think that might be for a whole new thread there !. In my case at least, my primes offer better IQ generally, so I would imagine that would translate to better IQ also with tubes. Although the Pentax M 75-150 has been referred to here as very good with tubes, so I will be trying that for sure.

I may try and get a better standard zoom as I only have the 18-55WR - very good for general walkabout shooting but not really for critical stuff.

I've been right through this whole thread and listed every suggested item .... here's a list of every lens or tube etc mentioned, without duplications : ....

Extension Tubes Kenko Telelpus x2 Macro Converter Raynox Macro Adaptor
49mm to K Reversing Ring +5 Achromatic Close up
Sigma 50mm f2.8 Sigma 105mm f2.8 Tamron 70 / 90
Sigma 90mm Kiron 105mm Vivitar 55 / 90
Pentax A50mm 1.7 Pentax 100 f2.8 macro Pentax K55 f1.8 . f2.0
Cosina 100mm f3.5 Vivitar 100mm f3.5 Pentax F 35-70
Pentax 50mm f4.0 macro Sigma 70mm DG macro FA 50 f1.7
Vivitar 135 close focus Pentax f 35-70
Sigma 70-300 macro DA ltd 35mm macro DA 16-45
Sigma 55mm f1.8 Adaptall SP90 Adaptall SP35-80

A great selection. I've got my research to do now. I might start by looking into the Kenko Teleplus Conveter, plus a new prime macro, or even one of the suggested short zooms. Plenty to get on with. Thanks again to all who have contributed such excellent advice.

Scary - I imagine it could be used as the set for one of those horror movies where some deranged spirit is living in the walls ... would have to be nighttime of course, with the lights flickering and then going out!

David, I did find tha Sigma quite a solid and weighty item - but my Canon fit was new back in 2001 - I wonder if the design has changed over time? In any case based on your recommendation I'll certainly consider it. It appears to be still an excellent quality / value macro option.

Just out of interest anyone, where's the best online source for new extension tubes?