ARG Photo Trip to the New Forest Arboretum

On friday our Astronautics Research Group decided to make the most of the most beautiful weather and potter out to the New Forest. Our target was the arboretum which proved a fantastic spot to shoot some autumnal scenes. I met some other photographers there doing exactly that who showed me to some of the local fungi.

The leaves on the trees were perhaps past their best and unfortunately we couldn't find a Canadian Maple Leaf but the results were still good. As the sun begun to sink we drove off to find a watery spot to shoot the sunset. The drive proved worthwhile with some great sunset shots despite it not being really that amazing. The abstract log in the water came out especially well.

Nick Bailey
www.nickbailey.co.uk

Low sunlight glowing through the trees on the path to the arboretum Posted by Picasa

A typical autumn scene in the arboretum Posted by Picasa

Light shining through the trees of the arboretum Posted by Picasa

Not quite a maple leaf Posted by Picasa

Macro on some knobbly mushrooms Posted by Picasa

Round nobble mushrooms - yes they look like brests Posted by Picasa

Mushroom umbrella


Mushroom umbrella Posted by Picasa

Mushroom with film grain effect


Mushroom with film grain effect Posted by Picasa

Autumn leaves Posted by Picasa

Shadowy orange fungus Posted by Picasa

Elevated orange fungus Posted by Picasa

An island silhouette Posted by Picasa

Ducks on the pond enjoying sunset Posted by Picasa

Stunning Sunset Clouds


Nearly last light by the waters edge Posted by Picasa

Stick in Water Reflecting Sunset Clouds


Stick in water with ripples Posted by Picasa

Sunset clouds elected in the water


Stick in the water Posted by Picasa

Sunset Beyond the Lake


Portrait sunset beyond the lake Posted by Picasa

Long Exposure Lake


Long exposure with graduated ND filter Posted by Picasa

Longish exposure with a graduated ND filter Posted by Picasa

A tree backlit by the last light of day Posted by Picasa

A New Sunset

It was getting on for 4 yesterday when I sudenly told myself to get up and get out of Southampton. I'd been at home most of the weekend, reasonably productive, but not particulary uplifting nor inspiring. I'd also been gaining ground with God but needed to feel inspired about the life that is in order to feel excited about the life to come.

So I packed my camera bag, got on my bike and headed off to Fair Oak, which is just North of Soton, to the East of the airport, just on the OL map of the area and showing a little wood to have a walk in. I arrived just as sunset begun to glow in the sky and was quite surprised as I'd not expected to see anything much. I was greaful and so fired off a few shots with some interesting effects.

It was really encouraging to be outside and in view of fields and trees and life! It was also important to observe sunset at the new earlier time, to come to terms with it's change (or our change as I'm making myself aware) and so not feel that there is a sudden, unexpected darkness that's decended over the Earth. There are still day times, just a little shorter now.

sunset over a distant forest

streaky traffic on the M27


motorway lights

Sunset with zoom Posted by Picasa

Visit with Mum to Portsmouth

Mum was down visiting this afternoon so she took Chris and I to Portsmouth to have a climb up the Spinnaker Tower. On the way we installed James into his Portsmouth placement accommodation.

The Tower rises out of a rather large outlet center which was a great surprise for Mum. I nearly found a pair of shoes I liked. We then went up the tower, sadly by lift as you can't climb - spoil sports - but the view was excellent despite the poor weather conditions. We then had a lovely coffee in the cafe at the bottom, which strangely didn't have a glass roof despite being situated right below the tower. Chris and I then took some shots of the waterfront before heading back to Soton for a lovely evening meal.

I do so love it when Mum visits.

The Spinnaker Tower from below Posted by Picasa