Kern Morris at Penshaw Monument

Durham based Kern Morris dance team were due to perform at the Monument Pub in Penshaw but decided to turn up early and do a few dances at the Monument itself. The light wasn't good, but that didn't stop the Kern dancers from enjoying themselves.

Click on any image for an enlarged view.

Some of these photos are available for sale on Alamy

Canon 5DII 24-105 f4 L Nissin Di622 II flash

Blue Tit arrives at nesting box

I made a new nesting box over the winter and have been rewarded by the appearance of a pair of blue tits who, by the evidence of the noise, have managed to start a family.

My aged Tamron SP 500mm mirror lens was used for these shots. The depth of field is about 2.5 inches at this subject distance, so accurate focus is essential.

I found that live view with 10 x magnification was better for focusing than the optical viewfinder with a Canon angle finder giving a 2.5 x magnification. This may be down to my eyesight, I can use my reading glasses with live view, but not with the optical viewfinder.

I may also try the Sigma 100-300 f4 with 1.4 converter and compare the results.

Canon 5D II.

Beamish Museum Steam Gala

The weather was variable, not very warm but with a bit of sunshine some of the time!

Traction engines and a steam lorry in the station yard

A vintage fire engine from the US of A

Speed blur on a tricyle

Plenty of steam on a dull day!

These photos and more similar are available for purchase via Alamy.

Canon 5D 24-105L