I have recently joined the local branch of the U3A, the University of the Third Age, more specifically, the Photography Group.

For those unfamiliar with U3A, it is an international movement whose aims are the promotion of life long learning, education and stimulation for those members of the community no longer in full time employment. The UK movement was started in the early 1980’s and now serves over half a million retired folk through 450 plus groups.

The Photography Group at my local U3A was recently formed and had decided on a day out to Pensthorpe Wildlife Centre a short drive from our home. Due to the threat of inclement weather only three of us actually made it. Nevertheless we had a good day’s photography and below are the best of my images.

Even on a dull day, the bluebells in the shady part of the woods shone brightly.

Bluebells using Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)

A 5 shot Focus Stack (5 images shot by the camera at the same time and “stacked” in post processing) enables top to bottom sharpness of the main subject. No tripods are used in the creation of this image!

Two shots of a Mute Swan, one of the many avian residents of Pensthorpe

Left: Goose of unknown sub species; Right: Goldeneye Duck

Chaffinch

This is a heavily cropped image of a Grey Squirrel. It was sitting on top of a squirrel proof bird feeder containing nuts. It had worked out how to lift the lid of the bird feeder reach its paw in and help him/herself. We sat and watched for ages, absolutely captivated by watching it work out how to access the nuts.

Another cropped image of a Grey Squirrel, this one on a tree stump below and in front of the hide we were sitting in. It spent much of the time we were there hiding between the tree stump and a fallen log you can just see in the bottom left corner of the image.

The weather remained dull and cool all day, but there is great joy in visiting these places and the the wide variety of wild life.