Demob happy!!

No pix to show you at the moment - but hopefully, next week should see a plethora!

I'm off to Cornwall with two friends for a week's pure indulgence!  Nothing but photography!

The NY hurricane is threatening to blow us off the cliff tops - but the rain doesn't seem to be too much of a problem!  From Tuesday, things are definitely looking good!

Watch this space for updates from the 19th September!!

Byeee!!!

Plymouth Fireworks competition August 2011

Each year, Plymouth hosts the National Fireworks Championships - a real feast for photographers.  This year, I went on both nights.  On the first night - I used my new acquisition - the Canon EOS 5D11 - which I bought to do weddings.  Not very easy to use - and it took me all of the first competition to try to suss the technique.

Not the most exciting image!

Not much better!

The second night, I opted to use my little Canon G10 compact camera.  Used it last year when my 'proper' camera was being repaired, and was amazed at what it did!  It didn't disappoint me this year!  Have to admit, thought, it did look a bit daft perched on top of my bloomin' big tripod!!

So easy!!

  

Much sharper!

Loads more images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/snaphappyann/

Sidmouth Folk Festival - 2011

Last Sunday saw three of us visit the Sidmouth Folk Festival - the second year running for me.
As ever - a really good day out with lots of photography.  The best thing is that people are not at all camera shy - and in fact, revel in having a camera poked in their face!

One of the Morris dancers.

So typical of the happy-to-be-photographed faces!

Some wacky headgear to be seen!

Here's another one!

Scary dancers in action!  Bet some kids had nightmares that night!

Charming little girl taking it all in!

A scary dancer taking a break!

Lots more images have been posted on my Flickr site if you want to see them.  

Go to   -  http://www.flickr.com/photos/snaphappyann/

Foxy Lady

I was recently asked to photograph a friends mare, which is up for sale.  She wanted some "special" pictures as a memento - and I was privileged to be asked to take the photos.

Meet Foxy.  Five years old, and with perfect manners and disposition.  She will make someone a really wonderful ride.

The glorious Foxy!

Without her bridle - and perfectly behaved!

Showing off her conformation . . . 

. . . .  and her gait.

With her young rider on board.

It's not as easy as you might think, taking pictures of a horse - which is for sale!  You need to show off all its best features - and when they move - it is really important to have the legs in the right order!!  The left foreleg has to lead, with the left hind in just the right place - and the opposing legs have to demonstrate that the hind hoof is slotting into the place left by the off side front!  And then there's the rider's legs!!  But we won't go there!

Suffice to say, we'll be having another go to get all the legs 'just right'!!

Hooray!!!

The loud "hooray" is because another sister is showing signs of being interested in photography!  This time, it's the baby out in Oz.  Unfortunately, Maggie's bought a Nikon camera - but you can't have everything in life, can you?!!

Two of her first efforts!! Not bad for a novice with a Nikon!!!

Palm leaves

Elephant Ears

And here's one from my Irish connection!!  This one has needed a bit more work on it - like cutting out the figures and pasting them onto a new background.  Clever little thing, isn't she?

Flooring the opposition.

I'm trying to persuade them both to set up their own blogs - so who knows?  In the meantime, Janet, the Irish Connection has a Flickr site - see more of her efforts at  - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jay_birds_pics
Maybe this posting will persuade her to upload more of her work?

More of my news on the next post!

Wildlife day out

Following my previous Blog - here is a selection of images taken on the day out to the Westcountry Wildlife centre.

'Ratty' AKA a water vole.

The male polecat getting stuck into a grey squirrel.

The sweet, but somewhat reticent little female pole cat.

A muntjak deer.  Just look at those wicked little tusks?

A vixen looking cute.

Challenging her three-legged friend for food!

A Scottish wildcat.  Don't try stroking this wee beastie!!

An otter - posing nicely on a branch!

Click on an image to view at full screen.

A Grand Day Out

In company with members of Ivybridge Camera Club, twelve of us spent Saturday at the Westcountry Wildlife Park (http://www.wcwpc.co.uk) near Lifton.

"We see no foxes!"

The Paparazzi getting serious with polecats!

An abundance of captive British wildlife were around for us to photography.  While I'm not a fan of taking pictures of captive wild creatures - I have to admit it does make the task of building up a portfolio of pictures much easier.  When the little set-ups are carefully constructed such as it appears that the animals are indeed living 'wild and free' - it does make the whole thing more enjoyable.

Scottish wildcats?  What wildcats?

Creeping up on the wild boars!

We were lucky enough to have the services of an experienced photographer.  Launceston Camera Club (http://www.launcestoncameraclub.co.uk) member, Chris Robbins (http://www.chrisrobbins.co.uk) was on hand to guide us through the day.  His website is well worth a visit and is really inspirational.

Thanks to Ivybridge Camera Club for organising this day out, fixing the weather so efficiently - and all involved with the Westcountry Wildlife Park!