Sue Thomas

The Snowberry bush, is a low growing native bush. The flowers are quite insignificantly tiny, yet produce an abundance of food for pollinators. The berries start out black, then turn to white, to sustain small creatures throughout the winter months. The Snowberry Sphynx moth caterpillars feed on the leaves. Photo taken on Wednesday.

The simplicity of your calendar is undoubtedly ineffable. The vibrancy of the flowers captivates the viewers eye. Which in my view how it should be. May I make an observation? Check the quote. I believe the line 'are one it', should read 'are one of '.

Yes, you always measure at the highest point of the withers. Almost all equestrian discipline classes, especially showing, whether leading rein or ridden are categorized by height. Such as section A,B,C or D. Particularly in Wales and UK. Section A Welsh pony maximum height 12h. Section B Welsh pony maximum 13.2h. Then you have the Welsh cob Section. Regardless of the breed, anywhere in the world, a pony is under 14.2h, and a horse is over 14.2h

With all due respect, were you 5ft tall or the pony/horse? As horses are measured in hands. 4 inches is a hand. A pony is under 14.2h, anything over 14.2h is a horse.

I had missed it. Not an issue, I found it. Cheers!

I had missed it, anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to translate these documents. Jack is absolutely chuffed to bits to finally know what the documents say. As you rightly say, he wasn't Dutch, but Norwegian.

It is. I choose not to use a photo stacker, as it is a tedious process. Where you have to take a series of shots at different focal lengths using a tripod. Which also takes accuracy. That doesn't work so well when shooting moving insects. There isn't anything which is completely flat to obtain perfect depth of focus of a subject, hence I opt for trying to keep the camera absolutely flush with whatever I'm shooting, whilst more often than not positioning myself to achieve it. Which works for me. There are lots of photo stacking programs out there, many of them are free to download. When shooting macro, one has to understand the difference between depth of field and depth of focus. Mind you not choosing to use a photo stacker over the technique I opt for is my own personal choice. So I may have part of a subject slightly out of focus, like an antena of an insect, due to it being slightly angled away, so be it.

In order for me to take macro photos, whether they are insects, frost, leaves, lichen, or anything else I use what is called a conversion lens. It's a small round lens which I attach to the camera. It is the Raynox 1.50 or 2.50 macro lens. Not all cameras support a conversion lens. Mine being a Panasinic FZ300 bridge camera does. As for the camera settings I use AFS/AFF mode. Setting is aperture. F4, which is the sweet spot for my camera. ISO 100. 2 second timer on stills. Aspect ratio 4.3. I can increase each image 4 fold, without loosing quality. When taking macro photos I concerntrate on the depth of focus. Making sure that that camera isn't in the slightest bit tilted. As I don't use a photo stacker program.

Neither do we in the UK. I will have to wait for the temps to really drop, before taking frost and snowflake shots.

Lovely depth of field achieved in this shot.

Seeing as I didn't take the frost photo one day this week, here is a shot I took last night. First quarter, waxing crescent moon.

Week forty five. Well it's that time of year again, winter is moving in. We are already getting frosty nights, giving way to bright sunny relevantly warm days. Shooting hoar frost at this time of year doesn't give the best results, so this photo was taken last January when the temps plummet to 30 below and colder.

It's a custom shape by photoshop.

Corrie, here is the other document which accompanies the invoice you so kindly translated. Again, Jack would be most appreciative if you were to translate the front and the back. The initials L P stand for Lars Peter. Many thanks Sue

Oh my goodness!!!! When I read out your translation of the invoice to him, he was absolutely over the moon. The translation means a great deal to him. I copied and pasted it to a word document, to print off for him. On behalf of both of us, thank you ever so much for taking the time to translate it. There is another document which accompanies this invoice, which I will post, when I get it, for your to translate, if you would be so kind. Again, thank you ever so much.

It could almost be a mind teaser. A sinlge image with two owls in it even. lol I love earth toned colours, along with their patterns , shapes, etc which makes interesting works of art. I very much appreciate your words.

I have all of Carole's punches, which I love to use. Which allows me to choose a punch, that has a design that can be nigh on found in my subjects.

I'm pleased you could see why I used the technique I did. Many things I don't notice until I have downloaded the photos, unless they are almost staring me in the face. As I have to capture what I can when I can when it comes to shooting living creatures.

Here is my take on the sketch. "Do I have my back to you?" asks the owl. Although they are 2 photos of the same bird, the tree to the left of the round image, is almost a perfect match to the edge of the tree in the rectangle image, hense using the techinque I often like to use. Again, it isn't what you look at, but what one sees! lol

It's is the shortened version of it is or it has, where its is a possessive word, such as 'beloning to', eg. The bird flew to its nest. It's confirmation that it's on its way. Saying 'the bird flew to it is/has nest simply doesn't sound right. So yes, its is the correct word to use in Daniel's layout.

I'm asking for a friend, who has asked me if I knew of anyone who could translate this document. Some of you ladies immediatley came to mind. Jack is an old dear Saskatchewan friend, and it's his father who was hospitalized in Holland during WW1 in 1916 for 10 days. On behalf of Jack who would be greatly appreciative. Possibly , it says what he was being treated for.

These huge gatherings are a common occurrence at this time of year. When I first came here it was ever so overwhelming to witness. I still get overwhelmed at many of the sights.

I must admit there's so much beauty and wonder all around. Which compensates for it's long brutal winter. Yet, winter here has to be embraced with all it has to offer.

Week forty four. Whilst the smaller migratory birds have left, the Geese are now congregating in their thousands in our area. They are feasting on what the combines left behind in the stubble fields. I hear them as they fly over head throughout the night. The majority of these are the snow geese. Truly a sight and sound to behold. As seen through my eyes!

I use png too. For the same reason.