A Country Garden; Flowers, and Birds

I travelled further afield, and put the camera to the test once again to capture the Summer Colour of late Spring in an English Country Garden, and the beauty that abounds. Some flowers are now beginning to fade, but new ones begin to take their place, all under a cloudless sky and in very warm sunshine.

On my journey, it was noticeable how recent talk from the government had already had an effect on the volume of traffic, both of vehicles, and upon both families and individuals taking advantage of the great outdoors. Fortunately, I found that overall behaviour seemed controlled and relaxed, I just hope that the coming weekend retains the same reserve, and that common sense prevails and restraint is observed, so that no rise occurs in infection.

The gallery on this occasion depicts interesting young birds being fed by a parent, and the colours of flowers at this moment in the season. I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to capture the results of the owner’s hours of diligent work.

Once again, all these photographs have been taken using the eminently versatile LUMIX FZ10002, and handheld, and had I not been wearing a bright blue shirt,  I might have been able to approach a tad closer on occasion, and it was certainly a joy to work silently and not disturb the young Starlings whilst being fed. I am exceedingly pleased that I bought the camera earlier in the year, because my much heavier gear being toted around during this enforced Lock Down would definitely have attracted adverse comments whereas this camera attracts no interest by either humans or the wildlife!

I was rather surprised by a Mallard on a nearby roof ridge, that was not what I expected of a duck! Altogether a very satisfactory way to spend an afternoon.

Riverpark, Bedford — What LockDown?

I decided that although I was very much aware that almost anywhere I chose to visit would be crowded, so would require careful navigation — there were two possible Bedford locations large enough to make keeping my distance acceptably straightforward. On this occasion, that destination was Riverpark. Close by the car Park, was a quiet enclosed area which naturally drew me in! Though my camera was  to hand, the reaction of a Muntjac is way faster, especially for a mirrorless camera, but despite my speedy reaction, it had disappeared from view way faster than I was capable, I did marginally better with a rabbit a while later, but rear ends of most animals fleeing are rarely of great note! But, I kept the two shots of its exit.

An overflying light aircraft gave the chance to practice my skills at shooting distant, moving subjects when out and about with this mirrorless LUMIX FZ10002. The most serious handicap with this camera is focussing in fussy scenes, or more detailed backgrounds behind a small or diffuse subject. I need to speak to someone with an understanding of how to set up custom controls so I can speedily alter apertures to define the depth of field I might need.

Other subjects that I managed at least some shots were damselflies and Demoiselle butterflies, ducklings, goslings, Swans and Jackdaws, and an overflying helicopter, which is testament as to how versatile is the LUMIX with its fixed zoom lens. I enjoyed the exercise, and it was good to see that all the youngsters behaved well with the birds and their young, and everyone I came across were very respectful of distancing at all times.

There are numerous well-shaded paths, that wend their way around small lakes, and I spent quite some time sitting on a conveniently sited stone by one of those small lakes capturing shots of the activity in amongst the reeds. When I next venture out I will likely visit the river Great Ouse, but walk in the opposite direction to the one I took on my last a fortnight or so back.