Tag Archives: West Berkshire

Heavy rain and sunshine at the Kennet and Avon Canal

22nd May 2016 Armin Grewe 1 Comment

As it was mostly cloudy today with only occasional bright moments I decided to just go on a short walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal. I still took my camera, this time with the 50mm prime lens, giving me a different challenge compared to the zooms I usually use. About a mile and a half into the walk a very heavy rain shower arrived (not forecasted when I left, but then suddenly showing on the weather app…). I decided to wait it out in the shelter of the tree, using the opportunity to try and take pictures of the rain. After about half an hour the rain stopped and for a short while there was even some bright sunshine.

Picture of heavy rain splashing on a canal — Heavy rain shower at the Kennet and Avon Canal

Picture of wet leaves in a rain shower — Wet leaves in the rain

Picture of a canal in bright sunshine but dark clouds in the background — Brightening up after the heavy shower

Picture of leaves after a rain shower — Leaves after the rain

Picture of the Kennet and Avon Canal after a rain shower — Kennet and Avon Canal after the shower

Picture of a lily after a rain shower — A lily after the rain

(click on the pictures for the larger versions)

Pictures

Pictures of the Flying Scotsman passing Aldermaston

21st May 2016 Armin Grewe 7 Comments

Following on from the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive passing Aldermaston Station video here are my favourites from the still pictures I took on the occasion:

Picture of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive in the distance — First view of the Flying Scotsman

Picture of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive approaching — The Flying Scotsman approaching

Picture of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive steaming along — The Flying Scotsman under steam

Picture of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive closing in — The Flying Scotsman closing in

Picture of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive from the front — The Flying Scotsman from the front

Picture of the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive having just gone past — The Flying Scotsman has gone past

(click on the pictures for larger versions)

Video

The famous Flying Scotsman in my village

21st May 2016 Armin Grewe 7 Comments

I only found out less than an hour before it was due so I didn’t have much time to prepare, but this morning the famous Flying Scotsman steam locomotive passed through Aldermaston Station. Here’s a short video (incl an initial false alarm as we didn’t know the exact times) of the pass:

I also took a few pictures, if they are any good (haven’t looked yet) I’ll post them in a separate entry later.

Pictures

Early spring flowers at Moor Copse, West Berkshire

15th May 2016 Armin Grewe 1 Comment

After yesterday’s Great Spotted Woodpeckers at their nest something a bit different today: Instead of the telephoto lens I took the wide angle lens and went to Moor Copse for a few pictures of the early spring flowers:

Picture of Bluebells in an opening in a woodland — Bluebells in an opening in the woods

Picture of Buttercups in a meadow — Buttercups in a meadow

Picture of what I believe to be an Early Purple Orchid — Early Purple Orchid (I think)

Picture of a view over a meadow with buttercups and other flowers — View over a meadow with buttercups and other flowers

Picture of flowers on the verge of a path — Flowers on the verge of a path

Picture of some purple flowers — Some purple flowers

Picture of white flowers next to a dead branch — White flowers next to a dead branch

Picture of a sunny day in the woods — A sunny day in the woods

Picture of a view straight up on a sunny day in the woods — A view straight up on a sunny day in the woods

(click on the pictures for the larger versions)

Pictures

Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at their nest

14th May 2016 Armin Grewe 6 Comments

As I was running late this afternoon I only went for a local walk with my camera. However, I was lucky: While taking pictures of a Coot with its young I happened to spot a Great Spotted Woodpecker on a nearby tree. I soon realised that it was at its nest and that there were two of them. The next hour I spent hiding in some bushes, watching and taking pictures of the pair of woodpeckers coming and going. Here is a selection of my favourites: