Reflections and egret

click photo to enlarge
As I've said before, you often can't predict the way a watery background will appear when you come to look at your photograph. This is sometimes because the water surface is disturbed and the camera "freezes" it. Or, the reflections seem to be offering simplicity but delivers complexity. This photograph of a little egret at Hartleton Lakes near Ross on Wye is an example of the latter. In fact, the watery background almost reaches a psychedelic quality. Interestingly, none of my other photographs taken before and after this shot has quite this level of kaleidoscopic beauty.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P950

Bee on oregano flowers

We cultivate oregano for the attraction its flowers have for insect life: bees, moths and butterflies find it as attractive as buddleia and verbena (which we also grow). Photographing bees the other day I got this photograph. It's not the best I've ever taken, but I particularly liked the dreamy way the macro lens rendered the out of focus areas.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Small White butterfly - Take 2

I was reasonably pleased with my photograph of the Small White butterfly that I posted recently. But, this shot, taken as we walked by the River Wye, is much better. Both were taken in slight wind and required several shots taken at the most opportune moment. What distinguishes the more recent photograph is the background: it is less distracting and the colours complement those of the main subject much better. We are currently trying to identify the flower that the Small White is feeding on. It seems to be a wild or escaped cultivated aster of some sort.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2