Craig

4 hours ago, JohnP said:

Very nice images Craig, I had two Red Kites and a Buzzard circling over my bungalow a couple of days ago, I do get the odd Buzzard overhead but I've only ever seen a Red Kite once before. Like you I have been forced to take a long break from the forum due to my wife being so ill, sadly she died on Wednesday evening. I have not used my cameras  for over a year, I will have to learn to take photos again as I have pretty much forgot how to use my cameras.

Thank you for your kind comments John. 
I would like to offer my genuine sincere condolences for the loss of your wife, it has to be totally horrific for you all.

Craig
 

Superb

Spotted this flying over the house a while back...
Craig

27 minutes ago, Fogey said:

There are areas around the country where the Red Kites are fed daily.  It's just another source of income for the farmers, (charging the public to witness this feeding display), who have jumped on the conservation band wagon.

Red Kites are scavengers rather than predators - the dustmen of the animal world - although a gamekeeper acquaintance tells me he has seen Red Kites flying low over fields and meadows pouncing on the young of ground nesting birds.  However, that is anecdotal and could very well be the gamekeeper's bias

In Scotland, they are fast becoming known as a pest, continually raiding dustbins and the like.  Still with the protection of birds act, they are going to increase in numbers exponentially.

 

That would explain a lot...
I know very little about them to be honest.
We have a large estate called the Fitzwilliam Estate here which owns only the Lord knows how many acres of open land. 
What you have just said would fit perfectly into everything.

Thank you Fogey for the info. 
Craig

25 minutes ago, skullfunkerry said:

Stunning! I had a moody sky in front of my house when the sun set last night... I've entered this into a competition on another site; the theme for this month is "Silhouettes".

Thats incredible

8 hours ago, Fogey said:

Not a lot wrong with these Craig.  Really nice!

Thank you Fogey 

Close up (I wouldn't call this macro myself) photography is something i really need to practice. It's something outside of my comfort zone. There are so many skills with this that I still have to learn. Being a studio portrait photographer, this kind of photography is well and truly out of my knowledge base.

7 hours ago, Clicker said:

Some nice images there Craig. …. They are beautiful creatures…. Where was this ?

We have almost a dozen flying over and around my house everyday. I live right next to the biggest open space in peterborough. So lots of little mammals everywhere here for them to catch. I do however have to watch our two boys when they go out into the back garden, as I have seen them try to swoop down on them more than once.

7 hours ago, Fogey said:

That's what happens when they are hand fed, Craig.  They shouldn't be so familiar with humans.

We have at least 10 flying around all the time here. I have to say I have never seen anyone getting close to one as they fly off instantly. But I totally agree if people are leaving out food, I would imagine it wouldn't take them long to connect humans to food.

A few shots of some little critters from last year...
Close up work is something i really need to work on.

7 minutes ago, Fogey said:

It's very realistic.  Well done.

Thank you Fogey 

1 hour ago, Clicker said:

Aw sorry to hear that Craig… she was a cutie … good to see you back here as I know your health issues are a priority … so welcome back Sir

Thank you so much. It's been a long road that's for sure.

Yeah, Honey really was a little sweetheart, I miss her terribly every day.

It's great to be able to use the camera again. And equally as great to be back on the forum. 

5 hours ago, Clicker said:

Lovely to see you again Craig ... Have you still got that gorgeous little dog ?

Thank you Clicker.

Honey our old little girl tragically and unexpectedly passed away on 17th October 2022. So we only have the two boys now. 

8 hours ago, Hatter said:

Welcome back, Craig.

Thank you Hatter

Taken at our local firework display on 5th November 2023.

Great shot!
 

A great shot, i really like it. 
But like Clicker said sometimes less is more.
On the 2nd and third shots... Maybe concentrating on a specific part of the guitar might lead the eye, like you did on the 1st shot.
Craig

What an absolute stunner he is.
His eyes are amazing! 
Craig

What a great Mono portrait.
Full of expression and atmosphere.
Craig

Well... It's good to be back after quite a few years away from the forum because of various health reasons.
I have spent some time looking around to see if there are any names which I can remember...

I have certainly noticed new names and some people i already know on here. 
I can see the level of photography is still superb on all counts. 

I hope to be posting again really soon and actively contributing to the forum once again.
Craig

A lovely photo!
Its wonderful to see things like this. 
Craig

A gorgeous image John. 
Craig
 

Now there's a lady which knows how to travel..!
Great image! 
Craig