Tuscany looks Stunning

Tuscany looks stunning and I want to see the wonderful mountainous scenery or visit fabulous Siena.  Siena looks exciting and the famous Palio horse race where the atmosphere in the town in full of fun and expectation seems a must.
http://www.tuscanynow.com/villas-in-tuscany


I have never been to Tuscany but would love to. In the words of a chef I should have been born Italian.  I find this beautiful country pulls me like a magnet.

There are so many reasons I would love to go to Tuscany that I have created a Pinterest Board with the link below
http://pinterest.com/chrismse1/tuscany-my-italian-dream/

A walk in a vineyards watching the grapes rippen in the sun then drinking the sweet wine in the shade.  A Tuscany lunch of meats cheese and fruit watching the mountains glow in the sun would be memorable. I am sure I would be booking my next Villa holiday before I went home.

Visiting the historic building and meeting the people who live here would be  a highlight of my holiday. II Monte farmhouse looks like a perfect place to appreciate Tuscany and the views of Florence in the distance would be romantic.  

Getting the Light Right

close up zoom

St Marys church Hemel Hempstead



Practice run for trying to get the light right with the new camera.

Flower garden Gadbridge Park


Haven`t managed to get this right using a manual setting so will go back to the auto and try again.

Flower garden Auto setting




Time for something that moves now 

Quite like this one and its a manual setting

bit dark this one but I am managing ducks and geese ha

Fountain


The fountain looks really refreshing as its so hot today. I was trying to frame the shot to avoid the bus on the right.  The camera was on auto setting for this and I am struggling to get the light right on manual. will learn its early days.

cute



That`s my practice photos for the day the only ones I am prepared to share anyway. If you would like to see my other blog it is at http://www.alondontourist.com 

The Patient Fisherman

Heron stands waiting for his dinner

I was trying out my new camera today in St Albans park and luckily for me this beautiful Heron was fishing for his dinner.  He was a still as stone which was great for me trying to get a picture as first I had to tie Archie`s (the dog) lead to a bench.

St Albans Cathedral Roof top



The zoom on the camera works well then as I was quite far away from the Cathedral.

St Albans Park



This is where I was standing when I used the zoom to get the photo above of the rooftops. I am not impressed yet with the sharpness of colour in the photos but that is probably me not knowing the best way to use the camera.

                                              I am getting away from this swan he is bigger than me.




I like this photo the geese is trying to escape the swan after just eating some of the bread the swan had earmarked for himself.

  What have you got in that bag bread I hope.

The detail is much better with this camera and I am happy with this close up shot of the duck. I now know how to zoom and how to get a close up shot.  Just need to learn the millions of other things. 

Still Waiting

A Summer Day in the Country

A pretty  butterfly

 More butterflies land on the lavender bush




As I live in a town it is a joy to sit in a country garden and watch the butterflies flutter around the plants and flowers.


I was surprised that one large lavender plant attracted four different kinds of butterflies as well as bees in the few hours I watched.  It has been a beautiful day here in North Wales today and it seems we are not the only ones desperate for some sun.

A corner full of colour

You can see the bee behind the butterfly


A pair of bees enjoyed the lavender and other flowers in the garden.

Lavender bush

Pansies



A close up of some colourful pansies in their pots


Then a walk down the lane and some pretty wild flower sit in the dwindling sunshine.

Foxgloves

Hedge Wildflowers

These pretty wildflowers are just beginning to close

Then the sun sinks down to my left

A walk in the lane




My wish list has changed after today I am now coverting a better camera and a pair of decent wellies for when the sun is not kind. A pair of binoculars and a decent knowledge of wildflowers.  In the meantime I will watch the Olympics but look forward to another walk in the countryside tomorrow.