Dave Frost Photography – Canvey Island

Dandelions are fairly nondescript, yellow weedy pests. Until you get up close.
When viewed through a 50mm lens attached to 36mm of Kenko Extention tubes, these common weeds can become objects of wonder and even beauty. From the patterned tips of the petals to the pollen laden stamen, the detail that nature puts into these nasty flowers is surreal.

For some reason, this one’s generated quite a lot of interest on Flickr as well (otherwise I very much doubt I would have posted it here).

Despite the blanket ban on flying, the panicked wheeze of chronic asthma sufferers and the cries of ‘we’re all doomed’ from the latter day god botherers, the ash cloud purportedly smothering the UK in it’s toxic arms hasn’t it seems spoilt the views of the skies over Essex. The wonderfully clear skies have remained so during the night allowing us mere mortals an unobstructed view of both stars and moon.
The tripod was in the car, so this one was taken hand-held with the 300mm at full stretch f5.6 @ 1/320 sec. A bit of cropping and a light dusting of unsharp mask in Photoshop complete the processing and voila.

These bundles of noise and fluff weren’t born. They’ve pretty much doubled in size over the last 7 days and I’m pleases to say that they’re all doing rather well.

They’re still only named as Number 1, Number 2, Number 3 and Number 4 but sure that will change as they start to get more mobile and inquisitive.
Plenty of people have expressed an interest in having one (or more) but so far, no deposits……..

“Woody” and his mate used to live in the Leylandi trees at the back of the garden. Last year however, the trees went and he was forced to move next door but one.
Don’t think he bears a grudge though as he often drops in to say hello and aggravate the dogs.

Quite tricky to get a shot off as he moves about quickly – it’s also very gloomy out there at this time of the year.
Was pleased with this attempt, especially as the patio doors haven’t been cleaned for weeks. The Sigma 70-300 is definitelty out performing the old Tamron in pretty much every area at the moment.

Nothing new to add this week, so I dug out an old photo from last year and applied a bit of processing to suit the mood of the day.