2017 Project 52 - 3rd Quarter by Geoff F

[skitterbug]

Here is a square crop from a slightly different angle. I think the first image does have more apparent depth to it.

I like this one but I agree that your first pic has more depth and therefore it is more interesting to view. 😄

[Cantab]

I like this one but I agree that your first pic has more depth and therefore it is more interesting to view. 😄

I agree with Sandy.

Geoff, I'm intrigued by the hill with large rocks dotted around on it at random. Is it what's known as a tor or is it simply a hill on which glaciers left loose boulders (i.e., not bedrock)?

[Geoff F]

The geology around here is rather complex, Bruce. There are quite a few volcanic outcrops scattered around and there are some more substantial lumps on the right side of that little valley which goes to the right.

Some of these outcrops have weathered and split apart while others have been deliberately split for building materials. Much of the surrounding land has been cleared for farming with the debris deposited in those rough areas which aren't suitable for ploughing.

I'm not really sure what constitutes a Tor. The large hills on Dartmoor with similar outcrops on top are definitely tors; but there are several small areas around this spot which have been named as . . . Tor.

[Cantab]

Geoff, thanks for the geological info. I've watched a number of episodes of BBC's(?) Coast on TV. One recent show had comments about the geological history of Britain, including glaciers, etc.

[Jim A]

I thoroughly enjoyed looking at these, thanks, Geoff! :-)

[Geoff F]

Week 37. At the Beach. I was walking from an insect photo session which led me past this beach; which is an area that I have previously photographed, although from different angles.

Going to the Beach. A very quick lens change and shoot without any thinking time as this couple walked along the beach path.



7D with Tamron 24-70. 1/200 F14 Iso 400. Originally I included a little bit of fencing on the left side but that had a patch of out of focus grass in the bottom left corner. So I cropped a little tighter to remove that area.

Watching the Wind Surfers.



1/500 F11 Iso 400. Whatever lenses you take you never have the right one, so I had to crop a little to get to the main action. I tried several scenes but thought it really requires some people on the beach, like this shot, to create a more interesting composition. This was the only one which had a little bit of surf. Maybe crop just a fraction tighter at the bottom and left side?

Zooming in with a tighter crop to show the wind surf board which had a 'keel' that went down to a smaller triangular plate under the water. As speed increases the board rises out of the water controlled by the underwater board.



Going home after another day of excitement.



I tried an alternative with a square crop and less foreground sand which concentrated more on the woman, but somehow I seem to prefer this version.

[skitterbug]

Nice series Geoff! I'd be happy if they were mine! Water scenes, even with people included, draw me. In fact, the first one of this series, makes me feel that these two are longing to explore.....

[Geoff F]

That is what I was thinking, Sandy, that couple stood there at the edge of the beach for a couple of minutes, obviously wondering which way to start their walk; while I was frantically getting my camera out of the backpack and changing lenses.

Week 38 - So Many Options. Life is full of decisions isn't it.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. 1/400 F11 Iso 200. A merge of two Raw conversions from the same shot.

And a few yards further on, a glimpse of the harbour through an autumnal hedge.



1/200 F11 Iso 200 and another merge of Raw conversions.

A bit of a rush now to catch up from where I started to fall behind by a few weeks.

[skitterbug]

I'm enjoying your landscape pics! Makes me want to get out to see if I can find anything of interest around here. Most of it is currently planted in corn that I can't see over or soybeans. And that's not too inspiring! Your pics contain so much information and of course you always do an excellent job of capturing the scenes! Thank you for sharing your settings and your neighborhood!

[joebranko]

The 'Harbour' is really nice shot. Love it!

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments.

Week 39 - Caterpillars. Recently I have been encountering some colourful moth caterpillars

Fox Moth. These get big; over 3 inches in length when fully grown.



7D with Sigma 180 macro lens. 1/200 F14 Iso 400. Flash.

And a little bit closer.



Knotgrass Moth



Ruby Tiger Moth. Probably this species although Buff Ermine Moth caterpillars are rather similar.

[Urbanflyer]

interesting critters! Not nearly as colorful once they are moths! Nice find!

[Cantab]

These caterpillar photos are wonderful.

A caterpillar that can grow to three inches!

As I was looking at the photos, especially #2, I wondered what the purpose of the sticking out hairs is. Presumably sensory (like a cat's whiskers)?

[Geoff F]

Those are chiefly defensive spines, Bruce. These caterpillars are feeding in the open so they have developed an 'eat me if you dare' strategy for survival.

Fox Moth adults are just as stunning as the caterpillars and have a wing length up to 30 mm which makes them seem more like small birds than normal moths! Somewhere I should have a photo of an adult.

In the meanwhile, here is an unusual coloured moth, from a month ago, to prove that not all moths are drab coloured. Called Burnished Brass Moth for obvious reasons.

[skitterbug]

Stunning creatures! Nice photo work!

[Geoff F]

Thanks Sandy.

Now on to the 4th Quarter.

2017 Project 52 - 4th quarter by Geoff F