It was in September 1978 that Anne & Nancy Wilson released the Heart album "Dog and Butterfly". I'd been made aware of their musical talent, when they released the first album, Dreamboat Annie, 1975, purely because one of our school mates, Terry Archer, had decided to see the world for himself and enrolled as a trainee chef with the Merchant Navy. Heart have featured quite prominently in the musical soundtrack which has accompanied my life's journey ever since. So why all the nostalgia? Bruno, of course, our daily wanderings have become the catalyst for my increased awareness of the invertebrates which share the environments I am fortunate to be able to wander.. Added to this is the undoubted ability of modern digital image capture to compensate for the short-comings of the long-haired twat holding the kit, which has resulted in my being able to obtain some very pleasing images of subjects which I would have previously overlooked/ignored?
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| Black-tailed Skimmer - male |
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| Banded Demoiselle - female |
It would seem that I'm past the worst period, following Bev's passing, and am now beginning the slow readjustment to where my life will now call normal. I think it's fair to say that I certainly wouldn't have done it on my own and, as such, am indebted to family, friends and neighbours, who've been there for me during this whole ordeal. The one factor which I'd never thought about, until recently, is how much Bruno has impacted on this situation? He can't speak, yet is always there when I need him. Crazy when you think I never wanted a dog!
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| Five-spotted Burnet - along Harrison's Drove, Grove Ferry NNR yesterday |
Although I've not made much fuss over the contents of the garden MV moth trap, in 2025, it certainly has provided some entertainment during these last few weeks. Nothing to cause major ripples amongst the local "moffas", yet still very pleasant to behold when I examine the egg trays each morning.
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| Male Four-spotted Footman - certainly not an annual visitor to the garden MV trap. |
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| (Dark) Pine Knot-horn (Dioryctria abietella) |
P.S. - I am grateful for an email from Steve Gale who corrected a major error in the original offering, concerning the parentage of Anne & Nancy.
Good to hear Dyl, that things are improving for you. Your mention of the role Bruno has played as a source of comfort or distraction at least, is nice to hear as well. As for the images of late. They are getting pretty decent from my side of the monitor. Just wondered if you used a small tri-pod or mono pod as a means of support. I'm assuming those items pin down the very last pieces of sharpness in a shot.
ReplyDeleteCheers Ric, I'm certainly feeling a lot better in myself and am eternally grateful for the support offered by those around me during this time. As for the improved image quality, I am convinced that it has been due to my using shutter speeds in excess of 1/1600 th sec and the technology being able to produce non grainy results. I certainly don't need to be carrying mono/tri - pods as well as all the other kit I take with me.
DeleteHoping all is well at your end? Take care & stay safe - Dyl