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2013-05-31 23:14:05 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

Many thanks for all the kind comments about my film on BBC Springwatch last night. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0214fhh/Springwatch_2013_Episode_4/ (18 mins from the beginning)

2013-05-31 00:14:00 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

2013-05-29 12:15:27 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

2013-05-28 16:45:51 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

2013-05-28 01:13:26 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 32 +1s)

Symonds Yat - This is the view from Symonds Yat, a popular local viewpoint. This photo was taken in spring, although admittedly it doesn't look like it.  I've been busy with various things which have really slowed down my landscape photography. There's been some, but not as much as I'd like, and I can't wait to rectify that!

2013-05-28 01:00:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

2013-05-27 20:11:05 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

If you're in the UK and staying in tonight, you can see me on TV on Springwatch on BBC2!
edit - postponed for another evening :)

2013-05-27 15:08:01 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

2013-05-27 14:51:10 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

2013-04-28 20:15:39 (7 comments, 12 reshares, 66 +1s)

Otter - This was one of my wildlife highlights of last year, even if it's not one of my better pictures. An Otter preparing to dive back in to the River Stour. I wish I could have been lower down at the eye level of the Otter, but after two days of searching, I was just happy to manage to get so close without causing a disturbance.

2013-04-28 13:02:27 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 73 +1s)

Poole Harbour - the sun sets over Poole Harbour, from Littlesea.

2013-04-28 12:59:44 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 54 +1s)

Goldfinch - I really need to post more to G+. It's been a long time...

2013-03-07 20:55:12 (10 comments, 6 reshares, 109 +1s)

River Severn - Taken at sunset from the Welsh side of the River Severn, on the outskirts of the Forest of Dean.
258 secs, F10, ISO 100

2013-02-04 18:11:25 (19 comments, 5 reshares, 115 +1s)

Durdle Door - Here's one for +Olivier Du Tré's #minimalmonday . This is Durdle Door in Dorset. It's one of the most photographed landmarks in the UK, so it's near on impossible to get an original composition from this place. It's a great location though.
190 secs, F13, ISO100

2013-02-04 11:55:22 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

10 TOP Google+ Photographs for January 31

#PlusPhotoExtract

YOUR photo could be in the SUPPORTER SECTION in the next daily Google+ TOP!

How? It's easy:
.

1) Share publicly this G+ post

2) Choose one of the best photographs you have published on G+ and leave a comment with a link under the original G+ post:
https://plus.google.com/+JarekKlimek/posts/3qWoxzhSvcn
Jarek Klimek will manually choose one of those photos and place it in the supporter section in the TOP for the next day!


Indicate your best photographs to the Plus Extract algorithm:
https://plus.google.com/111873853137122484021/posts/37u6oWycU3K

Plus Extract FAQ:
https://plus.google.com/111873853137122484021/posts/LqrTRbP7Cpb

#photography              
#potd  
.

2013-01-31 13:53:27 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 70 +1s)

Seasons (2/4) - When I took the autumnal scene in November last year, I didn't do it with the premeditation of taking the same shot in the future. I've spent most of my time out and about in the forest since the snow came, and when I trudged my way to this spot, I was reminded of that first photograph. Recreating the exact composition from memory was a challenge, and although I came close, I decided to return the next day with a copy of the original on my phone. It's still not exactly the same, but it'll do - I swear some of those trees have moved! I hope to re-shoot this scene again in the spring and summer to complete the set.

2013-01-31 13:48:51 (15 comments, 2 reshares, 71 +1s)

Wild Boar in Snow - Much like the rest of the UK, we had a nice deep snowfall here in the Forest of Dean recently, and I was out enjoying it every day. It's a shame it thawed so quickly once the rain came. Moments after this shot, the nose went up in the air, the alarm was raised, and the boar was gone.

2013-01-31 13:34:28 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 40 +1s)

Rat and Reflection - just a Brown Rat and his reflection. Taken on the riverbank whilst looking for Otters.

2013-01-28 01:09:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

We did it!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Looks like we made our goal of raising $25,000 for book publication of #plusonecollection2012. $10,000 of that came in just the last 24 hours. Wow!

Who was there at the finish line? Turns out we had a photo finish and a tie between two great dudes. First there was +Erik Giberti who donated $50. I know Erik! We work together at +SmugMug. He's one of our super talented engineers. Then there was +Eric Bass who donated $33 at the exact same time. Good job guys!!! Special high five to you, and go give them a follow. And my guess +Sam Breach was trying to do the same - so big high five to her as well. 

Going forward, all funds raised will be used for our charitable cause. I'll speak more on that in the coming days and weeks because we have a very good project we can now do. In the meantime, +Andy Lee is goingto g... more »

2013-01-21 12:14:02 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

Added photos to A celebration of IMAGES OF SNOW photographed in United Kingdom.

2013-01-14 21:33:52 (16 comments, 11 reshares, 158 +1s)

Bohemian Waxwing - I spent quite some time trying to see these Scandinavian visitors to the UK, and finally was rewarded close to home, here in the Forest of Dean.

2013-01-14 12:24:54 (9 comments, 21 reshares, 45 +1s)

Helicopter Dog - I thought I'd seen everything while out in the Forest of Dean photographing the local wildlife, but I'd never seen this before... The branch is hanging from a tree, and the dog didn't need any encouragement from his owner to do this. Apparently he's been doing it since he was a puppy. He's called Stanley, and when he wasn't spinning from a branch, he seemed a lovely friendly dog.
Recorded at 120 FPS for slow motion playback.

2013-01-13 00:45:01 (14 comments, 6 reshares, 111 +1s)

Broadway Tower (infrared) - Broadway Tower in Worcestershire, photographed on a day out with +Chris Day in October last year. This was photographed in infra-red (5D mk2 with a Hoya R72 filter), followed by a straight black and white conversion.
60 secs, F8, ISO100.
+Jarek Klimek's #photoextract  
+Joel Tjintjelaar's #bwfineartle  

2013-01-12 17:05:50 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

A nice surprise to discover...
https://plus.google.com/113408942588672463601/posts/5yYKxxevgEv
Thank you +Rinus Bakker!

2013-01-12 12:08:44 (18 comments, 1 reshares, 136 +1s)

Here's my submission to the 2012 Plus One Collection. For full details of the project, follow this link https://plus.google.com/u/1/+IvanMakarov/posts/h7A4z7eTdNz by +Ivan Makarov. There's still a few days left to submit your photographs.

The photo was taken at West Bay, formerly known as Bridport Harbour, which is situated approximately two miles from the centre of Bridport on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, and is at the confluence of the River Brit. 

#PlusOneCollection2012

2012-12-22 19:12:49 (21 comments, 4 reshares, 138 +1s)

Merry Christmas! - OK, so it isn't the most festive of images. This little dilapidated hut sits on the outskirts of the Forest of Dean, near the River Severn. Shot in infra-red with an 80 second exposure on a windy day, cropped and converted to black and white.
Circumstances have led me to neglect G+ a lot in the second half of this year, but I wish everyone on G+, friends, followers and passers-by a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to look at or comment on my pictures, and particular thanks for all the kind messages of support in what has been a really difficult year for my family. The year is ending more positively - Alli has reached the end of her treatment and all has gone well. 
Well done Alli ♥

2012-11-22 11:18:25 (28 comments, 9 reshares, 117 +1s)

Do you have a photography page on Facebook, Flickr or Twitter? - Feel free to add links to your pages in the comments for me and others to follow you. Here's mine...
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/frotcott/
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/BenLockePhotography
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ben909 and https://twitter.com/BLPhoto

Sgwd Ddwli Isaf - I've no idea how you pronounce that, but that's the name of this waterfall in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. This was shot during a recent outing with +James Clegg and +Julian Provis. The falls must look particularly impressive today, judging by the amount of rain that's fallen recently.
#photoextract  

2012-11-09 17:40:07 (17 comments, 4 reshares, 137 +1s)

West Bay, Dorset - Looking west from West Bay for 61 seconds in August.
#photoextract  

2012-11-07 14:39:14 (11 comments, 17 reshares, 142 +1s)

Red Squirrel - Here's one for #wildlifewednesday , a Red Squirrel :)

2012-11-07 13:40:10 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

Many thanks +Jarek Klimek :)

2012-11-07 13:13:45 (7 comments, 2 reshares, 15 +1s)

Khubananukh - We recently went to see Dead Can Dance at the Royal Albert Hall. It was a concert I'd waited 20 years for, and it lived up to all expectations. The 'warm up' act was provided by the incredible percussionist, +David Kuckhermann, who played an excellent set, and was kind enough to sign his CD for me.  If you enjoy this video, be sure to check out David's youTube channel. Amazing stuff.

2012-11-04 16:29:58 (39 comments, 13 reshares, 201 +1s)

Calm - This is one of the last photos I took before my wife went in to hospital earlier this year. That's also the reason I've been quieter than normal here for many months. Early in the year, Alli was diagnosed with cancer. Since then she's been through numerous tests, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, etc. It's been a hugely difficult time for both of us, but thankfully Alli is making very good progress and recovering well, thanks to the brilliant people at the hospitals, and also to her own strength and bravery. She is amazing.

This picture was taken during an impromptu break in Dorset which we did to mark the end of a key phase in Alli's treatment. We took a drive down to Lulworth Cove after a meal and found the calmest of scenes. The tide was high and the mist thick, and ghostly moored boats slipped in and out of view on the still water.

 ... more »

2012-11-03 17:12:42 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Scary but is that time of the year again. Share your best Halloween photos for chances to win B&H gift cards!
http://www.viewbug.com/contests/halloween-contest
#photography   #photocontest   #photographycompetition  

2012-09-21 15:52:14 (15 comments, 3 reshares, 43 +1s)

Wild Boar - I found this wild boar skull here in the Forest of Dean, and returned a couple of months later to collect it. I've been photographing wild boar for a number of years now, and this is quite different to my usual pictures of them, but it seemed a shame to just leave it there!
I've been particularly bad in terms of spending time on G+ lately - for the majority of this year in fact - there's been good reason, but things are finally starting to look up again, although there's still some way to go. 

2012-09-18 11:44:27 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 53 +1s)

Added photos to Share ONE Canon Photo (September 18, 2012).

2012-09-13 12:35:55 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 65 +1s)

Added photos to September Photo Contest by Peter From –– Theme: AUTUMN.

2012-09-04 21:21:50 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 124 +1s)

Nash Point - This was taken on Sunday, on an outing to Nash Point, Wales, with +Julian Provis and +Stuart Dyckhoff (and +James Clegg couldn't make it - get well soon James!). Instead of a setting sun, we had mostly grey skies and later on, mist. Good weather for black and white though :)
I couldn't decide between this cropped version and the full size colour version, so I might post that at some point too.
for +Jarek Klimek's #photoextract , +Joel Tjintjelaar's #bwfineartle  and +Julia Anna Gospodarou's  #seatuesday  

2012-09-04 23:37:16 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 54 +1s)

In-between Days (iPhone pic) - I've lost count of the amount of times lately that I've been out to shoot a good sunset, and been confronted with something entirely different. Most recently was an outing to the South Wales coast, where we ended up having to check our watches to see whether the sun had set or not. That's fair enough - this is Britain after all. What is annoying though, is that all the 'in-between days' seem to be taunting me. If you want a good sunset, and I've got my camera with me, get as far away from me as possible! We went out for a meal this evening, and on the way home I had to stop the car five minutes from home and grab a dodgy iPhone picture. If I plan to re-shoot it properly tomorrow, you can guarantee it will rain, or the hay will have been taken away.

2012-08-31 13:06:01 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 85 +1s)

Winspit - A long exposure taken from Winspit, Dorset, after a long day photographing wildlife. I've since returned there but the tide was very high and choppy, and it was thick with humid mist. It sounds great for some atmospheric pictures, but really it was just a bit too unsafe, so I didn't hang about long that time.
www.benlockephotography.co.uk
For +Francesco Gola's #longexposurethursday  
+Jarek Klimek's #plusphotoextract  

2012-08-27 16:47:20 (13 comments, 2 reshares, 90 +1s)

Portland View - A 220 second view towards Portland from Durdle Door, Dorset. at sunset.
www.benlockephotography.co.uk
+Olivier Du Tré's #minimalmonday , +Jarek Klimek's #photoextract

2012-08-27 16:43:41 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 50 +1s)

Smooth Snake - A lucky find in Dorset - our rarest snake, the Smooth Snake. Smooth snakes are Britain's answer to the boa constrictor. Though harmless to humans, reptiles and small mammals have much to fear. Smooth snakes kill or subdue their meals by squeezing the life out of them before finally swallowing the unfortunate victim whole.

2012-08-27 16:43:04 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 72 +1s)

Scarface - I came to refer to this little wild boar as 'Scarface'. He has a nasty looking wound to his right eye, although it doesn't appear to impede him. The last time I saw him he was getting on fine.

2012-08-03 19:18:45 (28 comments, 4 reshares, 133 +1s)

Lighthouse On Legs - I've visited this lighthouse many times. It's a favourite place to give the dog a good run. Every time I've been I've wished for the tide to come in and surround the lighthouse, but it's always been the wrong time of day, or the high tide simply wasn't high enough. Finally, earlier this year I got my chance. Could have been a better sunset, but I quite like it.

2012-08-03 12:11:49 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 68 +1s)

Badger - A young badger in the Forest of Dean, photographed last week. I was lying down on the forest floor to get this shot, and I think I got a mosquito bite for every minute I was led there. This is a sett I've been watching occasionally for a few years, and there appears to be more badgers in there this year than previous years.

2012-07-05 21:35:17 (23 comments, 6 reshares, 91 +1s)

Rainbow Falls - This waterfall is called Sgwd yr Eira, in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. I think it's one of the most impressive falls in the area, but there's a good amount to choose from. To get to this particular spot, it was necessary to walk behind the falls. It was a hot day, and the roar and the spray behind the curtain of water was really refreshing. Finding that there was a rainbow visible from the other side was an added and unexpected bonus. This was my favourite picture of the day.
Photographed during a walk with +James Clegg and +Julian Provis in May.
+Francesco Gola's #longexposurethursday
+Jarek Klimek's #plusphotoextract  
+Mark Esguerra & +Giuseppe Basile's #thirstythursday

2012-07-05 11:10:45 (27 comments, 8 reshares, 143 +1s)

Untitled - This old building stands on the edge of the River Severn, which was behind me as I stood to take this picture.  It was shot in infra-red over a 2 minute period, then converted to black and white. The building is stood in a field of long grass. There was a howling wind, which helped create all the cloud and grass movement, and was probably responsible for my eyes swelling up in the evening!
I've had so little time for G+ recently, or anything else to do with my photography. To those who know why, thank you so much for your continued support.
Suggestions for a title welcomed :)
+Joel Tjintjelaar's #bwfineartle  
+Marina Chen and +Fineao Fang's  #fineartpls  

2012-06-08 00:12:24 (26 comments, 2 reshares, 118 +1s)

Bat's Head, Dorset - Bat's Head is the name of the chalky outcrop at the back of this photo. Photographed from the beach at Durdle Door. The shingle of the beach drops away very steeply, but occasionally the waves would breach the slope, leaving large pools of water on the shingle. The pools would only last for seconds, before melting away between the stones, which left this interesting effect on a 3 minute exposure.

2012-06-08 00:05:17 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 17 +1s)

Badger video - Back after another lengthy and unplanned break from G+, I thought I'd share a bit of video for a change. This family of badgers was filmed around their sett in the Forest of Dean.  I've spent time photographing badgers in previous years, but this is the first year that I've been seeing them in reasonable light.

2012-05-14 17:38:38 (16 comments, 1 reshares, 110 +1s)

Old Rope - This is another shot from the recent trip to the River Severn where I shot the previous photo I uploaded. This isn't the shot I was after, but after trudging through the mud to reach these posts I had to take something. I couldn't reach the view I was actually after as the mud got too deep on the river bank. Anyway, this is my contribution to today's #minimalmonday by +Olivier Du Tré.

2012-05-12 19:51:39 (28 comments, 3 reshares, 99 +1s)

I'm still here! My recent absence from G+ has been due to some very bad news that has kept me away from most of the things I'd normally do. I won't go in to the details here, but just wanted to apologise to all friends and contacts for not being able to take the time to look at your posts lately... and to the people who've provided much needed friendship and support to me and Alli in the last few weeks, thank you so much - we're extremely grateful.
Anyway, it's really about time I started posting (and shooting!) again, so here's a shot of a pink sunset taken a couple of nights ago on the River Severn, on an outing with +James Clegg and a couple of other friends.