Autumn stroll

The last week has been a complete wash-out, photographically.  I don’t need glorious wall to wall sunshine to feel inspired but a glimmer would be nice!  Even on the dreariest of days I force myself out, even if it’s just to give me a break from the computer.  I’m quite lucky in that I can hop in my car and in less than 10 minutes be in woodland.  It’s good for the soul and always gives me inspiration for new images.  It’s also important as a nature photographer I think to keep regular contact with what’s going on out there.  This is particularly true in the spring when it seems that each day something new appears, whether it be a bird or a flower.  

I’ve had a bird feeding station set up in a local woodland for the last 6 weeks but hardly anything is turning up at the moment, a testament to the mild weather we have been experiencing of late.  I understand it’s due to change in the next few days.  I’m hoping for goldfinches this winter and with niger seed feeder in situ I have my finger”s crossed that they notice it. 

The image below is a reminder of the wonderful autumn we had here in Kent.  I went out one afternoon for a stroll to some private woods I have access to and as usual took my kit with me.  Leaving it at home only means one thing…that a great photo opprtunity will be missed!  As it turned out I had quite a productive few hours, shooting some tiny mycena sp. fungi amongst others and this.  I liked the feeling it gave of being at a junction.  Left for the woods or right along a hard track.  You can guess which path I chose!   The colours, light and depth cried out to be shot as a panoramic.  One of the most useful pieces of kit that I have purchased over the last 18 months is a camera leveller made by Acrotech.  Having read various reviews I opted for this model and have found it to be indispensable for this kind of work.  It’s beautifully made and makes levelling the camera a breeze.  They were then stitched using PTGui.

Tags: autumn, fungus, nature photography, panorama, technique