Fogey

Brilliant set of images, Geoff.

"Size is less than half the full stop on your keyboard!" I just love it when you talk dirty to us, Paul. (Sniff).

At this stage of life they'll be as fat as Billy Bunter. Wait until Mum stops feeding them - they'll have to live off their hump until they learn to fend for themselves.

You have used the light to good effect, Matt. I think both images have equal merit.

Cracking shot Denis. I love this sort of shot, but have yet to capture one.

Excellent shots of a Red Kite, Denis. I know just how difficult it is to get these birds in flight - so well done you.

I have been trying to give some of my shots a dose of the dramatics.

Congratulations, Matt. A great shot. Good choice, Clare.

Still wouldn't be big enough, Polly - anyway I could buy a prime nifty fifty for how much that costs.

I have bought a hat that has a built in mosquito net, Polly, so together with that and long sleeved shirts, all I have to worry about is my hands. Thanks for the tip for mosquito repellant - I have ordered two. Yes I know exactly where I'm going. The map above is the location of the hotels I'll be staying at. I'm hoping I'll be able to fulfill the majority of my bucket list this year. The problem is, once I have packed my camera equipment, computer, chargers, and the like, I'll need an entourage of porters to carry the damned stuff. I have decided when I'm going, but on a public forum I'll announce when I'm going when I get back.

The advice I was given was to make an itinerary and plan to that as there is so much to see and do.

As an aside, Fooj. Where was that taken? I ask because none of the garden centres round here have bedding plants.

Oh! I see now - a sign of the times.

I have decided, as I have had a couple of really crap years, to spend some money on me and do the NC500. I've allocated 3 weeks to do the trip, taking a leisurely two days to get to Scotland. I shall spend some time in the Cairngorms where I shall be moving on to Wick where I'll spend 6 days visiting the entire north coast. After that I will be travelling down the north west coast in two day stops until I get to the Isle of Skye, where I will stop for 4 nights. Then It will be off to the Trossachs National park for a further stay of 4-5 nights, before returning home. I anticipate I will be travelling 1800 miles in total and I'm sure I'll be totally knackered by the time I get back. I'm just hoping against hope that Sturgeon woman doesn't mess up my plans.

That was very well said Denis. I did notice your break and I guessed the reasons for it. I have always said that the forum is its members and without membership participation this would become an empty platform. Perhaps we need a forum 'away day'.

Well, all see is a severe profile.

Lovely shot Denis. I assume it's near you?

Wow! Denis - and Wow! again. What a cracking subject and composition............so atmospheric and a sky to die for to boot. A shot deserving of a place on your lounge wall.

Thank you Denis.

Thank you, Kobione.

Thank you Clicker. I must confess to continually falling over backwards as they were wheeling right above me......and I was wielding a 600mm lens as well, so I was easily overbalanced.

Thank you. Yes it is tagged but I'm not surprised. We aren't too far, (as the crow flies), from the release site in Wales. I think this bird has migrated from there. I couldn't get over the wingspan of this bird - the spread was enormous.

The local farmer was cutting his grass for silage this afternoon, which meant there was a plethora of seagulls, one Buzzard and one Red Kite. Of the three species flying around, the Red Kite was the most obliging.

Well done paul. A worthy winner.

The second I really like - a cracking image.