http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Latest news from photographer Chris Johnstone Chris, Johnstone, photographic, photography, wildlife, pictures, images, photo, nature, environment, conservation, digital en Copyright 2010 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:28:19 GMT Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:28:19 GMT RSS DreamFeeder v 2.5.2 Nearby there is a good place to photograph snowdrops. I don't spend a lot of time photographing flowers but I'm amazed at how nature has engineered these organisms to respond to environmental factors. Because of the extremely cold weather, the snowdrops have kept themselves hidden. Now, with a couple of weeks of warmer weather, they are in full bloom. There is something very elegant about the way plants 'know' when to emerge. Nearby there is a good place to photograph snowdrops. I don't spend a lot of time photographing flowers but I'm amazed at how nature has engineered these organisms to respond to environmental factors. Because of the extremely cold weather, the snowdrops have kept themselves hidden. Now, with a couple of weeks of warmer weather, they are in full bloom. There is something very elegant about the way plants 'know' when to emerge. http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/blog/index.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:27:28 GMT Snowdrops, plants, winter, spring, white, snow, flora, beautiful, emergence, data:text/plain,manual:1268249299796:8650544088121637:http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml As part of the research for Spring and Summer projects I do a regular route around my local patch. Last night I checked out a kestrel roost at a nearby farm to check the activity. The female arrived around dusk but no sign of the male. Today I was considering giving my walk a miss so as to ensure the birds weren’t disturbed. As part of the research for Spring and Summer projects I do a regular route around my local patch. Last night I checked out a kestrel roost at a nearby farm to check the activity. The female arrived around dusk but no sign of the male. Today I was considering giving my walk a miss so as to ensure the birds weren’t disturbed. http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:02:16 GMT Chris, Johnstone, photographic, photography, wildlife, pictures, images, photo, nature, environment, barn, owl, raven, peacock, kestrel, roost, dusk data:text/plain,manual:1267383762572:15958443957343072:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml Over New Year I found myself caught up in the celebrations (as usual). Being neither particularly religious or a party animal, to me, the Christmas and New Year break serves as a time to catch up with family and friends that I would otherwise have trouble seeing living where I do. (The unending bombardment of commercial everything has long since taken the charm off the festive season anyway - much to my dismay.) Between drinks on Hogmanay I caught myself wondering what I was really feeling about the whole celebration. If I'm honest, I wasn't revelling in the birth of a new decade but wondering where the idea to celebrate a change in diary and digit came from - for really, these are the only visible signs of a new year... Over New Year I found myself caught up in the celebrations (as usual). Being neither particularly religious or a party animal, to me, the Christmas and New Year break serves as a time to catch up with family and friends that I would otherwise have trouble seeing living where I do. (The unending bombardment of commercial everything has long since taken the charm off the festive season anyway - much to my dismay.) Between drinks on Hogmanay I caught myself wondering what I was really feeling about the whole celebration. If I'm honest, I wasn't revelling in the birth of a new decade but wondering where the idea to celebrate a change in diary and digit came from - for really, these are the only visible signs of a new year... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:31:34 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266373780216:8498970583140784:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml The busyness has continued way longer than I had anticipated and I since my last post I've even changed workstations which has gone pretty smoothly. Luckily my lack of posting hasn't meant I haven't been out and about. I find this time of year quite exciting. As the weeks unfold the calendar of the photographer really begins to fill up. Spring is a busy time for nature and getting projects in place really needs to be sorted by the time the actions begins... The busyness has continued way longer than I had anticipated and I since my last post I've even changed workstations which has gone pretty smoothly. Luckily my lack of posting hasn't meant I haven't been out and about. I find this time of year quite exciting. As the weeks unfold the calendar of the photographer really begins to fill up. Spring is a busy time for nature and getting projects in place really needs to be sorted by the time the actions begins... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:31:34 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780216:8498970583140784:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml Who would have thought January could be so busy? Apologies for the lack of blog updates recently. I've had to move my focus... Who would have thought January could be so busy? Apologies for the lack of blog updates recently. I've had to move my focus... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:31:34 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780229:8997620258212512:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml Over the Christmas period I made a couple of visits to a local park. The adage that knowing your local patch is invaluable is indeed true... Over the Christmas period I made a couple of visits to a local park. The adage that knowing your local patch is invaluable is indeed true... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:32:34 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780230:8681048393016121:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml Undoubtly the most well known place to photograph red kites is at Gigrin Farm, Mid-Wales. As I'm back in Scotland for Christmas and Hogmanay I thought I'd pay a trip to the Scottish equivalent - Bellymack Farm... Undoubtly the most well known place to photograph red kites is at Gigrin Farm, Mid-Wales. As I'm back in Scotland for Christmas and Hogmanay I thought I'd pay a trip to the Scottish equivalent - Bellymack Farm... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:32:34 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780230:6332909698281968:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml Like most of the country, we've had a good covering of snow in Ashbourne and a couple of hours of low sunshine brings a fantastic opportunity to work with one of the most friendly and iconic residents of British woodlands and gardens... Like most of the country, we've had a good covering of snow in Ashbourne and a couple of hours of low sunshine brings a fantastic opportunity to work with one of the most friendly and iconic residents of British woodlands and gardens... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:32:34 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780231:46920945477588320:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml Juggling work and the weather can be a little frustrating at times. Here, the first frost of the year coincided nicely with the first of December. Work kept me from my camera but in high spirits... Juggling work and the weather can be a little frustrating at times. Here, the first frost of the year coincided nicely with the first of December. Work kept me from my camera but in high spirits... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:36:34 GMT 472F9119-27FD-4B1C-BB14-C1E0DEF7120C-502-000003AD1AB76C6A-FFA There is always something exciting happening in the natural world, no matter what time of year it is. Autumn is no different and one of the most interesting species to follow is the Grey Seal... There is always something exciting happening in the natural world, no matter what time of year it is. Autumn is no different and one of the most interesting species to follow is the Grey Seal... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:34:12 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780233:974038412736023:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml For the ten days I was fortunate enough to attend a series of seminars concerned with large carnivores living in the Zywiecki Beskidy Mountains, part of the Polish Carpathians... For the ten days I was fortunate enough to attend a series of seminars concerned with large carnivores living in the Zywiecki Beskidy Mountains, part of the Polish Carpathians... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:41:12 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780233:18:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml A spell of dry weather has ended here in Derbyshire and a cold crisp morning and this evening's rain confirms summer is over and autumn is really setting in. This time of year is one of my favourites... A spell of dry weather has ended here in Derbyshire and a cold crisp morning and this evening's rain confirms summer is over and autumn is really setting in. This time of year is one of my favourites... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:14:12 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780234:5842285518703408:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml A week ago I set up another perch at a deeper pool in the hope of witnessing her fish there since the river had been dropping slowly. The droppings over the perch and surrounding grass suggested she had been grateful for the new location to fish from... A week ago I set up another perch at a deeper pool in the hope of witnessing her fish there since the river had been dropping slowly. The droppings over the perch and surrounding grass suggested she had been grateful for the new location to fish from... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:34:12 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780235:4868177498964341:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml This year's selected images for Christmas cards are now available to order. Yep, it's only September but we all know what a rush it becomes... This year's selected images for Christmas cards are now available to order. Yep, it's only September but we all know what a rush it becomes... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:29:15 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780236:35994658403194236:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml Mid October means deer! Every year in the Autumn male deer challenge each during a period known as the rut. While checking out a location to visit in a months time, I heard the distinctive cry of a kingfisher... Mid October means deer! Every year in the Autumn male deer challenge each during a period known as the rut. While checking out a location to visit in a months time, I heard the distinctive cry of a kingfisher... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:20:15 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780236:9283116319790996:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml The site's main galleries have had an update in form and content... The site's main galleries have had an update in form and content... http://news.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/ Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:05:32 GMT data:text/plain,manual:1266873780237:5649402062818464:http://www.chrisjohnstonephotographic.co.uk/CJP_Blog.xml