Canary Wharf update...

I had a couple of hours to spare this afternoon, so hopped on the DLR for a quick mooch around Canary Wharf. About two minutes after setting up my tripod, I was aware of a hi-vis bib to my right.

"Good evening, sir," said the security guard. "Is that a Pentax? Which one? K-5 IIs? Ah, I have a K-30 - absolutely brilliant camera, love it to bits..."

He then started to tell me about his favoured locations for shooting within the Canary Wharf complex, but never once questioned my purpose.

Not necessarily the conversational direction I'd anticipated...

"D'you think we'll be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year if we tackle the next hill?"


"We've gpt more chance than any of the cricketers..."


"Andy bloody Murray?"


Route and branch.

Yes, ta to all for the excellent company. Made it home by 19.45 via the A515, M1 NCP and central London. Not sure I have many keepers from the day. Some of the later landscapes were vaguely OK... except that I failed to notice raindrops on the DA17-70's lens surface. Might be able to salvage a couple, but come what may I enjoyed the fresh air (and pea soup).

That sounds OK to me. Might get there slightly ahead of schedule if I can find a nearby café that serves pints of coffee and slices of toast.

I'm still up for it, once where and when have been conjured.

I'd probably plump for the first if I had to choose, David, but as ever the standard is high.

More nice stuff, Nigel. I had half a mind to pop over to Docklands after work last night, but was overcome with the urge to dash home for a chicken curry and the tripod thus remained in its bag.

The Canary Wharf security bods can be awkward - as I know from experience. I used to work in the area quite often and once left the main Canada Square tower with an electric bicycle, to ride it around while it was photographed. Getting it out was straightforward, but trying to take it back in required United Nations levels of diplomacy.

In photographic terms, though, you only need a permit to shoot if you are doing so commercially or professionally. So long as they aren't causing an obstruction, hobby snappers should be OK.

Should does not necessarily mean "will", though.

Another fine shot, Steve. I had a rare, motorsport-free weekend. Pity I didn't know there was something happening at Llandow: I might have been tempted.

I accept David's point about it being trickier to anticipate what might happen next in ball sports. Having worked trackside at many Formula One events, however, I should mention that the driving patterns of Pastor Maldonado and Felipe Massa tend to be fairly random, so they are harder to photograph than most...

...or a collage from recent trips to UK zoos. Taken with K-5 IIs and Sigma 100-300mm f4, except for the snake (K-5, Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro)


1 - bespectacled bear, Chester


2 - Whipsnade wolverine


3 - "Wolverines? They're rubbish..." - Chester lioness's shock claim


4 - push-me, pull-you turns up unexpectedly at Marwell


5 - cheetah cubs being cheetah cubs, Chester


6 - where thick glass comes into its own, Marwell


7 - tiger behaving domestically (ish) at Whipsnade


8 - young snow leopard, Marwell

Some nice stuff there, Steve - and a useful outbreak of 'right place, right time' syndrome. Like Steve E, I'm particularly struck by the Impreza and its glowing discs. It's also a reminder that some thoroughly modern MINIs are the size of an Austin Maxi...