I used my telephone lens and my extension tubes together for the first time. I also had a Ring Light attached to the lens for extra lighting. The depth of field is really tricky (small) to get just right. Here are a few that I am happy with.
New Lens – Test run
One of my photography friends in Glasgow Scotland took some amazing evening shots with an Ultra Wide Lens. I was so impressed, I started saving some pennies and kept an eye on local sales and finally the stars align and I purchased a Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC ultra-wide zoom lens. It arrived in the mail late yesterday afternoon.
After doing several errands and some work around the house today, we took it out for a quick test run. I am quite please with the results.
mer bleue bog boardwalk 
mer bleue bog boardwalk 
mer bleue bog boardwalk 
mer bleue bog 
The Laird and Lady 
mer bleue bog 
mer bleue bog 
mer bleue bog 
mer bleue bog forest walk 
mer bleue bog forest walk 
mer bleue bog forest walk 
mer bleue bog forest walk
A few shots in the Garden
We helped our close friends with an errand and while we social distance chatted to each other on their garden deck, I noticed a little Chipmunk in their garden. They said he was super tame, so I grabbed my camera while he posed for me.
Big Changes at Home
Major change in our living room today. We took down a picture that has been up in our living room in our various houses for over 33 years and replaced it with one of my photos that I took in Scotland in December. I used a company called Canvas and Decor. 100%
Before 
After
Covid 19 Photos
I have to say that the social distancing lockdown has put a real crimp in my photo taking. The following group of photos have been taken while out and about on my walks that we are allowed for exercise and also a couple of indoor photos. Things are sounding like they may open up a bit. I cant wait to get out and take some photos that are not just in the backyard.
Empty Streets 1 
Empty Streets 2 
Abandoned House 
Spring Moss 1 
Crocus 
Spring Moss 2 
Light and Shadows 1 
Lights and Shadows 2 
Daffodils 1 
Daffodils 2 
Daffodils 3
Virtual Challenge Update – End of April
End of April update on my virtual walk from Lands End to John o’Groats. I am 37% done in 33% of the time. 637 km down, 1,107.2 km to go. I am a two day walk away (at my current pace) from Stratford Upon Avon. I am slightly ahead of pace. The red marker is my pace marker.
Back Yard Visitors
Behind our house is virtual flyway for all kinds of birds. Most are fairly shy and hard to capture. Bluejays especially are hard to entice to stick around.. but I have and idea for them. Here are a few of the visitors in the past couple of days.
Covid Macro Photography
Not being able to get out and about, or at least not very far has lead to some creative indoor photography. I took my extension tubes out to do some macro photography. I grabbed some liquid hand soap, some hand sanitizer and some old telephone wire that my kids used to make bracelets out of. The following are the results.
Urban Sunrise
This morning I took the mobile photo studio to the local dealership to have the snow tires switched over to the summer tires. I wanted to be first in line so I was there at the crack of dawn. While I waited for the garage to open, I was rewarded with this spectacular urban sunrise.
Photographer of the Month
Earlier this year I was asked if I would be interested in being the featured photographer in an upcoming issue of the Orkney.com newsletter.
Today, a nice surprise came out. I am very honoured that Orkney.com chose a Canadian amateur photographer to highlight a very special part of Scotland.
Check about half way down this months newsletter under the Focus on Photography heading.
Stay safe and healthy everyone, so we can go back again soon.