Wednesday 26 January 2011

Getting Ready for Spring

With the temperature reaching the heady height of 10.5C yesterday I spent a little time tidying up in the garden and Bobby managed to sprawl out on the grass for an hour or so. At the same time I was on the lookout for things to practice my macro photography.

On checking the fruit cage I could see buds on the blackcurrant bushes were showing signs of life. Actual size about 8mm. 25 photos stacked using CombineZP.

Blackcurrant Bush Bud

Also showing were lots of buds on my large Leylandii tree.
Actual bud size about 7mm. 12 photos stacked using CombineZP.

Buds on Leylandii Tree

By the end of the day we were back to gloomy wet weather and it was no better this morning on our perambulations. It looks as though we are going to be back to frosty weather soon but it was great to have one day of pleasant weather and to breathe in some fresh air.
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16 comments:

  1. ADRIAN26 January 2011 at 08:27

    The Blackcurrant bud is really good. Did you use your stepping machine? It's not nice up here either.

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  2. Midmarsh John26 January 2011 at 08:41

    Thank you Adrian. Yes, all automated for taking stacked photos. I experimented converting RAW to TIF but either Irfanview introduces minute errors or CombineZP works better with BMP files. Also experimented with lighting. Strong light on one side, weaker on the other.

    My next thought is to find a way to get a stepper motor to operate the microscope.

    BTW. I tried trial versions of two commercial stacking programs. Neither gave results to match CombineZP for crispness and accuracy of detail though CZP can introduce some errors like colour fringing next to bright sections.

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  3. Matron26 January 2011 at 09:40

    That is a sure sign that Spring is just around the corner!

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  4. Roy26 January 2011 at 10:52

    Spring cannot come soon enough John.

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  5. holdingmoments26 January 2011 at 16:36

    Excellent shots of the buds John.
    Spring can't be far away, surely?

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  6. Wilma27 January 2011 at 02:52

    You just keep getting better, John! I love it.

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  7. Glo27 January 2011 at 04:49

    I think you have this down to a fine art, John! I just find it fascinating to be able to see nature with such detail. Your interest in the macro world and the experimentation you are working on is commendable!

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  8. Midmarsh John27 January 2011 at 08:42

    I hope so Matron. There is so little colour about at the moment.

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  9. Midmarsh John27 January 2011 at 08:42

    Too true Roy. I've had enough of this Winter to last a lifetime.

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  10. Midmarsh John27 January 2011 at 08:44

    Thank you Keith. Outdoor photography has come to a virtual stop here as the lighting conditions are so dismal.

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  11. Midmarsh John27 January 2011 at 08:45

    Thank you Wilma. I'm always trying - some would say very trying ;)

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  12. Midmarsh John27 January 2011 at 08:49

    Hello Glo. It's being able to see the finer detail which captures my imagination. There is so much beauty in nature, right down to the microscopic level. Experimenting, though very frustrating at times, beats vegetating in front of the idiot lantern (TV).

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  13. ShySongbird27 January 2011 at 13:15

    Hi John, that was a pretty good temperature for January, it wasn't as mild here.

    Fabulous macro work!

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  14. Midmarsh John27 January 2011 at 13:32

    It was a good day Jan, even though the Sun didn't shine much.

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  15. mick27 January 2011 at 18:59

    Beautiful macro photos of the buds. However, I wonder what will happen to them if you get some more cold weather?

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  16. Midmarsh John31 January 2011 at 13:31

    Thank you Mick. I think they are tightly closed enough to survive everything except really exceptional cold weather.

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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