A hard week (Days 253 - 262)

Day 253 - Fungi gills

I'm actually surprised at the images I'm putting up for this 10 day section as I have felt really rushed and a bit 'snappy' (in a photographic way).  It's the first time I have felt like giving up the challenge. But then it is coming into Autumn, my favorite time of year for images - and when all else fails there are plenty of mushrooms around.

Day 254 - Holy webs

I couldn't resist this cobweb that was dusted with willow herb seeds and had a hole punched through the middle.  The spider had long gone! The seeds from the willow herb were so plentiful it looked like it had been snowing.

Day 255 - Splash down

 I had forgotten how messy water splash photography can be.  Thankfully the weather was nice this evening so the students were able to carry out this exercise outside.  Waterproof electrics and splash guards on lights are essential.

Day 256 - Wreck at Lochranza

I  have no idea what the story is behind this wreck at Lochranza but I would guess a storm blew it up the shore and the resulting damage made it unworthy of repair (or removal).  It's a shame as it looked like it was a grand boat in its time.

Day 257 - Laid back blonde.

People often holiday with their dogs and I always try to accommodate students who want to bring along their four legged pal.  This lovely lady proved to be very calm and pottered around our tripods and slept at our feet while we did our stuff.

Day 258 - Misty morn

Not quite light, very grey, and the cloud hung about 50 feet off the floor when I took this shot.  But it proved to be the only one of the day that I did for myself and hence it became the days subject.  Not overly inspiring but as I would say to my regular course students - it's straight!

Day 259 - Food shoot

Today I did a food shoot.  These are always a challenge, lighting, table settings and a multitude of other things that have to be considered to get the shot right.  But today's bonus was a  dessert based on icecream - it just had to be eaten as I went through the photographic process.

Day 260 - The jug

Two mushrooms in one blog - not ideal but I imagined this could be an inspiration for a jug design. The mushroom had 'bowled' and created a pouring lip.  The gills added pattern and the dark line around the edge definition.  I should also say this was about 8 inches across, so a pint sized jug.

Day 261 - Laptop

Time to have a clear out and the old laptops need to go.  So the Arran Weebay site is being tested again.  I'd sold the first one within the hour.

Day 262 - Waston before he got too wet

An hour off and time to take the dogs out for a really good play.  One tennis ball, one large pool of water and a ball thrower = hours of fun and 2 wet exhausted dogs.  It will be peaceful this evening.

Finding the money tree (Days 241 - 252)

Day 241 - Forest track above Lamlash

The cani-cross training continues and Watson is getting really good a tripping me up - I can't believe its only a couple of weeks before our first event!  Good job it's just for fun.  But I have to say that he ran really well on the way home after running along the forest trails above Lamlash.

Day 242 - Brodick Castle Gardens

Today I had the pleasure of photographing in the gardens of Brodick Castle which were in full bloom. The formal walled garden is set around a sun dial and further areas include some water pools and the Bavarian summerhouse.

Day 243 - White tailed bee?

A short walk today with the dogs and there were lots of small bees around with noticeably white bottoms. They are probably white tailed bumble bees but I'm no expert on this.

Day 244 - Mushroom season

It's the time of year where mushrooms spring up everywhere, and this was no exception.  Standing about 5 inches high, and lucky for me on a bank so I didn't have to lay on the floor, it caught the sunlight. I don't actually like mushrooms so having to decide if the are safe to eat or not is never an issue.

Day 245 - High on Sannox

A scorching day with clear blue skies and a heat haze that July or August would have been proud of. The dogs forged through the bracken and the brambles snagged at me.  Despite the glorious weather there was no money in this tree.

Day 246 - Flagging Bowser 

Bowser is struggling again with his back and when he has walked far enough he takes himself back to the car and patiently waits for me to arrive.  The only snag is, he waits at the back of the nearest car he finds (or any car if we've walked direct from the house)!  I have to watch out for him disappearing so I can retrace my steps to find him.

Day 247 - Hazy heat at Lamlash

Another hot and hazy day, this time the walk is at Lamlash.  The dogs were in and out of the sea to cool off and the water shimmered. The yachts barely moved in the flat calm waters.

Day 248 - Seals taking a break.

A bit chillier this morning and grey!  What a shock to the system, I thought the sunshine was going to last forever. But all the seals were out taking a break and were in lazy mood, paying little attention to my careful manoeuvres.

Day 249 - Dragon Fire

This is the dragon head on the Viking boat that will be burnt later this year at Corrie and Sannox.  It seems such a shame to destroy such a lovely piece of work.

Day 250 - Low flying aircraft

I felt my hair part when this passed me by.  I was on the beach just north of Dougarie and I think you can tell by the angle of the shot just how low this was flying and so close to the shore.  I think there may be an air show somewhere near?

Day 251 - Roots

I love this tree and how it is clinging to the rock.  The branches look more like roots and it fans out across the cliff face.  But this is not the money tree.

Day 252 - Money Tree

 On one of my frequent walks I have noticed a tree acquiring some money.  Mainly 20 p pieces wedged into the bark, mostly at head height.  I have no idea who or why this is being done, although I have seen it before at some popular mainland sites.  At least if I ever need money for a pint of milk I know where to go!

Shoot and run (Days 232 - 240)

Day 232 - Scaffold around the old Lamlash Church

The last 10 days have been fairly frantic with weddings, workshops and plenty of commercial jobs to complete. Most of the photo's for the project have really be grabbed along the way - some on my pocket compact as flash cards filled up with jobs and batteries were charged.

The conversion of the old church into residential property seems to be taking a while but with the scaffolding up I'm sure it will suddenly be finished.  Looking forward to seeing them.

Day 233 - Brambles

I love this time of year, so much colour in the berries, the mushrooms are starting to appear in great numbers and there is still plenty of wildlife around.

Day 234 - Cooling swim

Still managing to get some cani-cross training in with Watson despite the busy week.  He enjoys a swim when we're near any water and it's good for him to cool off and see the training as fun.

Day 235 - Graveyard shift

 Monday evening class and a trip to a couple of graveyards for tonight's exercises. I like the old graveyards as the stones tell more of a story giving a feel for the people who have gone before.

Day 236 - The happy couple

Today I had the privilege of  photographing Vivienne and Angus's wedding.  The swans floated by when we were on the bridge and stayed in shot for a short while.  It was a beautiful day.

Day 237 - Bambi

Full day workshops and an island tour taking in the deer at Lochranza, including this little 'bambi'. So cute.

Day 238 - In full sail

More workshops and back to Kildonan. The day was hazy and it gave a mystical feel to the sailing ship.  I wish it had been a little closer as I think it would have looked spectacular.

Day 239 - Nuts

Today it's editing day and I try not to be too distracted by the wildlife outside my window.  But it is good to give the eyes a rest and focus on something a little further away every so often (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it).

Day 240 - Lunch grab

Another quick lunch time job but the upside is I get fed at this one. And what a view from the restaurant at Altachorvie.