A pictorial diary of my walks around the parks and wild areas of Leicestershire, and occasionally farther afield.

If you're new to my blog, you might like to have a look at the pictures in the older post as well (click on button at the bottom of the page).

I am also a writer, using the pen-name John Gwynant, and I'll occasionally announce my latest book release on the blog.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

An Hour in the Woods - 23 May 2014

We managed to slip out for an hour between rain showers yesterday and took Skipper to Swithland woods. I sat in the car while Maja spread the bird food and took the dog for his walk.

At first I thought I would be unlucky, but after ten minutes a Nuthatch did a flyby and shortly afterwards landed to partake of the free meal.
1/250 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 400mm
1/400 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm
I don't think he was sure which was his best side so he showed me both during his frequent visits.

A Robin approached from the other side of the drive but wouldn't come to the stump and get food,  I guess it was in another Robin's territory. So I took pictures of him on the low fence posts.

1/400 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm
1/400 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm
I think he heard the camera shutter though because he looked straight at me.

Then I caught a movement on one of the trees behind him and realised it was a treecreeper. I have occasionally seen treecreepers but never managed to photograph one, so I was over the moon to get these pictures.
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm
1/125 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm
1/100 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm

Some of these subjects were some distance away and in low light so not as sharp as they might be, but I was just pleased to get them, particularly the treecreeper.

All taken on a Canon EOS7d and EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Thursday, May 22, 2014

I like Great Tits - 18 May 2014

This tit was uncertain about the food I left on the stump below him, but he eventually tried it after several fly-bys and a few bump and goes.

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm
1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm
1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm
1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm


All taken on Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm lens

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

My latest book is available on Amazon 
as a  paperback or ebook.



With the heroic death of their father in the Spanish wars, Lady Grace Fenland and her brother Lord George are left with just a small allowance from their mother's will.

The situation is barely improved by the sale of George's paintings, which is their only other income.

When George accidentally sees his sister naked, Grace offers to pose nude for him. The resulting painting is hailed as a Masterpiece.

Its fame spreads, and while the Prince Regent wants to make her his mistress, Grace's best friend Jane Parsons and Lord Henry Moreville fall in love with her.

The subsequent tangles need to be sorted out, but how and by whom?