A new year and a new beginning for the fabulous Soul Source photography thread. We've had so many fantastic contributions from so many members over two very long-running and very lengthy threads now, so it makes sense to start afresh.

For people who perhaps haven't contributed before, the idea is very simple: although the emphasis has been on nature/wildlife/flowers and scenic views, just post up and share pics you've taken of, well, just about anything.

Here's three from me, which were taken today in a small nature reserve behind Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Although it started out as a very clear and sunny afternoon, conditions changed very quickly and it became very overcast - and, I have to say, there was very little in the way of birdlife to see. Perhaps they'd all cleared off elsewhere as the place was pretty busy with people out burning off the Christmas calories.

 

Happy New Year!

  On 30/11/2016 at 20:19, Winsford Soul said:

Taken today at a very gloomy Burton Mere RSPB reserve.

A few firsts for me managed to see a Water Pipit, Greenshank, and I think my very first Hen Harrier. Unfortunately they were all viewed through binoculars as they where too far away to take any photographs

Steve

Wow! Thats fantastic Steve. Absolutely first class mate - and obviously very seasonal.

Pete

A Black Headed Gull reflecting

  On 04/12/2016 at 15:52, martyn pitt said:

A Black Headed Gull reflecting

Martyn. Reflecting on what

Steve

  On 04/12/2016 at 19:47, Winsford Soul said:

Martyn. Reflecting on what

Steve

Looks like water to me Steve, but it could be ink.

  On 04/12/2016 at 20:05, TattooDave said:

Looks like water to me Steve, but it could be ink.

I thought it might have been thinking about who's the guy with the lens that's bigger than he is.

Steve

  On 04/12/2016 at 20:50, Winsford Soul said:

I thought it might have been thinking about who's the guy with the lens that's bigger than he is.

Steve

Or the constant rise in the price of fish.  Do you mean a lens bigger than the gull or Martyn? Because that would be very cruel, and very funny at the same time.

  On 05/12/2016 at 07:47, TattooDave said:

Or the constant rise in the price of fish.  Do you mean a lens bigger than the gull or Martyn? Because that would be very cruel, and very funny at the same time.

That would be me he is referring to Dave, not cruel at all, but certainly funny and close to the truth

Anyway also clocked this record breaker as well yesterday, it is a Common Sandpiper and it should be back in sunny Africa now, this is the latest recorded date for the species on the reservoir ... it obviously likes the cold

 

  On 05/12/2016 at 08:36, martyn pitt said:

That would be me he is referring to Dave, not cruel at all, but certainly funny and close to the truth

Anyway also clocked this record breaker as well yesterday, it is a Common Sandpiper and it should be back in sunny Africa now, this is the latest recorded date for the species on the reservoir ... it obviously likes the cold

 

So every day it sets a new record?  Now there's a brave bird.

Well I've finally plucked up the courage and made a appointment with the camera shop as to a Canon 500 f4 L is usm lens. Decided to join the big boys after much thought, deliberation and  you know what. Fcuk it you only live once. Plus I want to be in Martyn,s gang 

Steve

I don't have a photo but on Saturday I was privileged to see a Sea Brown Trout in a little stream near me, they come to spawn and make the journey all the way to here. It was covered in white scales, this is something they gain to help them cope with the salt water. It was massive the fish I saw.  It must be so healthy the beck and was lovely to see 

  On 07/12/2016 at 02:00, suzannek said:

I don't have a photo but on Saturday I was privileged to see a Sea Brown Trout in a little stream near me, they come to spawn and make the journey all the way to here. It was covered in white scales, this is something they gain to help them cope with the salt water. It was massive the fish I saw.  It must be so healthy the beck and was lovely to see 

Nice one.We used to try and net them back in 70s off the Norfolk coast from my dads boat.

Not much luck but we had a couple of decent ones.

  On 07/12/2016 at 02:00, suzannek said:

I don't have a photo but on Saturday I was privileged to see a Sea Brown Trout in a little stream near me, they come to spawn and make the journey all the way to here. It was covered in white scales, this is something they gain to help them cope with the salt water. It was massive the fish I saw.  It must be so healthy the beck and was lovely to see 

Suz. That's a fabulous sight to see. Had the pleasure of it myself many years ago when I was camping on shell island . I was up to my waist in the sea / estuary and I actually had them touch my legs as they swam passed me. Simply awesome and as you say a privilege.

Steve

A couple of nice ones from this mornings dog walk, usual Robin photo included 

  On 07/12/2016 at 12:30, Winsford Soul said:

Suz. That's a fabulous sight to see. Had the pleasure of it myself many years ago when I was camping on shell island . I was up to my waist in the sea / estuary and I actually had them touch my legs as they swam passed me. Simply awesome and as you say a privilege.

Steve

It quite amazes me how they can spawn in the stream as it is quite shallow in parts, it goes into the River Gaunless where I thought they would spawn not the beck. The one I saw was huge, granted he was in the deepest pool.  I knew we had fish living in there as we have two pair of Kingfishers at least on there as well as have seen Dippers feeding too.  

  On 20/11/2016 at 21:33, Winsford Soul said:

Love walking. Treated my self to a pair of Meindl vakuum gtx boots a couple of years ago.  Best described as 4x4 slippers. Awesome, totally recommended. Back on track pardon the pun. I've been to fountains Abbey, loved it. Used to go on my way to piercebridge soul night's and would spend hours walking around the place in all sorts of weather.

Steve

Are these the boots, Steve?

https://www.milletsports.co.uk/product/brown-meindl-mens-vakuum-ultra-walking-boot/241589_firstsport/?awc=5803_1481215940_88351bae874fdc8ffd27b847b5421e20&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=Communities+%26+UGC&utm_campaign=HotUKDeals

 

  On 08/12/2016 at 16:55, Steve S 60 said:

Are these the boots, Steve?

https://www.milletsports.co.uk/product/brown-meindl-mens-vakuum-ultra-walking-boot/241589_firstsport/?awc=5803_1481215940_88351bae874fdc8ffd27b847b5421e20&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=Communities+%26+UGC&utm_campaign=HotUKDeals

 

No mate. they're the vakuum ultra walking boot. Mine are the vakuum GTX walking boots

Steve

Steve. This is what the boots look like

Edited December 8, 20168 yr by Winsford Soul

  On 08/12/2016 at 16:55, Steve S 60 said:

Are these the boots, Steve?

https://www.milletsports.co.uk/product/brown-meindl-mens-vakuum-ultra-walking-boot/241589_firstsport/?awc=5803_1481215940_88351bae874fdc8ffd27b847b5421e20&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=Communities+%26+UGC&utm_campaign=HotUKDeals

 

Steve. 

Go on the go outdoors website. Click on men's then walking boots my boots are on the second row in the middle. £206.99. Hope this helps you

Steve

Edited December 8, 20168 yr by Winsford Soul

Taken in London a few weeks ago.

Here's  the very first picture taken with the new to me Canon 500mm f4.L is usm mk2 lens , not very sharp but holding four kilos will take some getting used to, cant wait to get out with it properly but back in work tomorrow till Wednesday

Steve

  On 16/12/2016 at 15:38, Winsford Soul said:

Here's  the very first picture taken with the new to me Canon 500mm f4.L is usm mk2 lens , not very sharp but holding four kilos will take some getting used to, cant wait to get out with it properly but back in work tomorrow till Wednesday

Steve

Did you have to get your nuts out to tempt the squirrel, Steve?

Snapped this big fella the other night, used a lighter for perspective.

  On 16/12/2016 at 19:17, Steve Lane said:

Snapped this big fella the other night, used a lighter for perspective.

I would have used the lighter to throw at it, arachnophobia could almost be my middle name.

The only one liner chat up line you will need........

Seasons greetings.

 

Ed

  On 17/12/2016 at 08:19, tomangoes said:

The only one liner chat up line you will need........

Seasons greetings.

 

Ed

just translated into proper english . (Lancashire) for every body

get your coat young lady you have a date

 

Steve

Edited December 17, 20168 yr by Winsford Soul

I worked with some lads from Barnsley and when young Carl said that he was getting his coit I didn't have a clue what he was talking about

I soon picked up the lingo though, another was spice (sweets) great bunch of lads the Barnsley scaffs

A Grey Wagtail in the gloom of the reed bed 

  On 18/12/2016 at 12:08, martyn pitt said:

A Grey Wagtail in the gloom of the reed bed 

Nice one as always Martyn

Steve

Our little pooch.....

 

  On 18/12/2016 at 21:05, Zed1 said:

Our little pooch.....

 

Bet the dog is better behaved than the lovely Debs mate.

Ste

  On 18/12/2016 at 21:17, Winsford Soul said:

Bet the dog is better behaved than the lovely Debs mate.

Ste

Ste.

One of them shits and pisses everywhere and doesn't do a thing I tell them....... I'll let you decide which.

 

 

  On 18/12/2016 at 21:26, Zed1 said:

Ste.

One of them shits and pisses everywhere and doesn't do a thing I tell them....... I'll let you decide which.

 

 

Gaz I bet I can guess which one that ishope you and Debs are both well

A regular visitor to my garden to fill it's belly ... a Green Woodpecker

  On 20/12/2016 at 12:48, martyn pitt said:

A regular visitor to my garden to fill it's belly ... a Green Woodpecker

Wow! What a super picture Martyn. 

And what a spectacular visitor!

 

Pete

  On 20/12/2016 at 12:50, Peter99 said:

Wow! What a super picture Martyn. 

And what a spectacular visitor!

 

Pete

Cheers Pete, our garden is one massive ant nest and Green Woodpeckers love ants and their eggs, we often get them in the garden, however they are extremely skittish and easily spooked so I have to be careful when I try to photograph them.

  On 20/12/2016 at 13:05, martyn pitt said:

Cheers Pete, our garden is one massive ant nest and Green Woodpeckers love ants and their eggs, we often get them in the garden, however they are extremely skittish and easily spooked so I have to be careful when I try to photograph them.

Yaffles are my favourite British native bird, mostly because I don't like ants.

The force of nature !  The morning after a tree came down whilst fishing in france earlier this year. My bivvy is underneath just left of the trunk, my mates to the right. We had vacated them less than 2 mins before when a rather scary storm arrived. Lost a lot of gear but lucky to escape unhurt.

 

  On 20/12/2016 at 17:33, bbrich said:

The force of nature !  The morning after a tree came down whilst fishing in france earlier this year. My bivvy is underneath just left of the trunk, my mates to the right. We had vacated them less than 2 mins before when a rather scary storm arrived. Lost a lot of gear but lucky to escape unhurt.

 

Looks like a quaking aspen, notoriously shallow rooted and grow by water, not a clever place to pitch a bivvy.

Now you tell me !!  seriously though you cant sit out in 40 degrees of sun for a week. a 'Quaking Aspen' - I think it was me & my pal that were the 'quaking' ones...

my neighbour (a tree surgeon) reckoned it was a Lime - either way we will have to avoid trees in future!

Edited December 20, 20168 yr by bbrich

  On 20/12/2016 at 18:25, bbrich said:

Now you tell me !!  seriously though you cant sit out in 40 degrees of sun for a week. a 'Quaking Aspen' - I think it was me & my pal that were the 'quaking' ones...

my neighbour (a tree surgeon) reckoned it was a Lime - either way we will have to avoid trees in future!

I've a degree in botany, grown bonsai for 45 years, and can guarantee it's not a lime.  Populus tremuloides, the quaking aspen, would be my bet, but that's just from the photo.

  On 20/12/2016 at 12:50, Peter99 said:

Wow! What a super picture Martyn. 

And what a spectacular visitor!

 

Pete

Martyn will be chuffed calling him a spectacular visitor, he normally gets. Oh no not you again.

Steve

not really my pictures , but found these interesting , sorry if they have shown on here before , hope the link works https://brightside.me/article/30-captivating-historical-photographs-which-you-need-to-see-2355/

  On 20/12/2016 at 20:52, gogger said:

not really my pictures , but found these interesting , sorry if they have shown on here before , hope the link works https://brightside.me/article/30-captivating-historical-photographs-which-you-need-to-see-2355/

Gonna get a bear for my wife

Thought you lot may enjoy this clip

Edited December 20, 20168 yr by NCFC

  On 20/12/2016 at 21:31, NCFC said:

Thought you lot may enjoy this clip

That's one lucky dog

  On 20/12/2016 at 21:45, TattooDave said:

That's one lucky dog

Nice looking dog too. 

  On 20/12/2016 at 21:54, Peter99 said:

Nice looking dog too. 

I think it might be in Spain Peter, Repsol is a Spanish petrol company with higher than normal prices (called ripoffsol by me and others), where whether dogs are good looking or not they need a lot of luck to survive, at the end of each hunting year lots of dogs are just turned out into the countryside where they soon perish as roadkill or die of starvation.  There's definitely a 1000 Euro fine imposed on people feeding feral cats, which I do daily, and it may well imply to dogs too.  You get small semi rural packs of dogs terrorising neighbourhoods all because they are hungry as on the whole the Spanish are not animal lovers and haven't the sense to placate them with food, trap them in cages and have them neutered, thereby preventing unwanted offspring to continue the bad habits.  I have a feral cat that I used to feed about 200 yards away that is now a resident on my doormat, her brother has come about half way, but he's more adventurous and knows where there's other food available. 

This ridiculous country has communal waste bins that it's illegal to deposit rubbish in during the day, and recently someone wrote into the paper about the police telling him off for deposit a bag of dog poo during the day while out walking his dog.  They still condone the needless slaughter of bulls for public show, so you can't really argue with them as their mentality is barbaric. 

  On 21/12/2016 at 07:51, TattooDave said:

I think it might be in Spain Peter, Repsol is a Spanish petrol company with higher than normal prices (called ripoffsol by me and others), where whether dogs are good looking or not they need a lot of luck to survive, at the end of each hunting year lots of dogs are just turned out into the countryside where they soon perish as roadkill or die of starvation.  There's definitely a 1000 Euro fine imposed on people feeding feral cats, which I do daily, and it may well imply to dogs too.  You get small semi rural packs of dogs terrorising neighbourhoods all because they are hungry as on the whole the Spanish are not animal lovers and haven't the sense to placate them with food, trap them in cages and have them neutered, thereby preventing unwanted offspring to continue the bad habits.  I have a feral cat that I used to feed about 200 yards away that is now a resident on my doormat, her brother has come about half way, but he's more adventurous and knows where there's other food available. 

This ridiculous country has communal waste bins that it's illegal to deposit rubbish in during the day, and recently someone wrote into the paper about the police telling him off for deposit a bag of dog poo during the day while out walking his dog.  They still condone the needless slaughter of bulls for public show, so you can't really argue with them as their mentality is barbaric. 

Hi Dave

I do like Spain but dislike their attitude towards, and treatment of, animals. 

 

  On 21/12/2016 at 09:10, Peter99 said:

Hi Dave

I do like Spain but dislike their attitude towards, and treatment of, animals. 

 

I'm with you all the way there Peter, I have arguments with them all the time.

Just like our music, this alcoholic beverage is not everyone's 'cup of tea'........

 

Ed