Glowing Docks

Rumex obtusifolius - or common broadleaf dock is a weed to most of us but here in the Avon Valley Nature Reserve, it positively glows with the backlit rising sun.

A colourful oasis in a sea of green, it's the browny-red that's caught the light - I've upped the contrast, not the colour here.

I seem to be somewhat bipolar with my lens choices recently - whereas most are happy with their standard zoom, I alternate between ultrawide and long telephoto. From 10mm to 300, then 12mm and now 500...!

I do not recommend you do as I did - use a 3kg combination of ultra big lens and DSLR handheld for such a shot - such a rush was I that I couldn't find my carefully stored monopod but is testament to the Optical Stabiliser on the Sigma 150-500mm lens that it's still sharp at 1/200 when in theory, I should have used at least 1/1000 sec for a sharp shot!

Have a closer look in LARGE

I ache somewhat from manipulating this beast in such a manner but that does preclude any foreseeable gym fees! The sunrise didn't really amount to anything much but this fiery study in crimson and green more than makes up for that, I feel.

And what a great lot you are, for taking my rescued Old Mill sepia Blip of yesterday well up into the Spotlight, where it currently still sits. Thanks truly! You might like to know that The Old Mill is in fact a posh restaurant, that I've never been in and no, I don't know if it has a star rating, and all that. Out of shot, on the left is a rather bulbous later addition, which is a Hotel and bar. On summer evenings it is buzzing, as you can imagine and as folk (often with their dogs, children and bikes) sit outside in a most harmonious way. It's a good watering hole for those on walks leaving or entering Salisbury's south-west side too.

Salisbury Journal published the pic this week that I submitted from Wilton's The Big Lunch, as mentioned in my Blip of 2nd June. They even crammed in the name credit - and on the same page as the actual photo!! (joke)

Have a great Friday, everybody and enjoy this warm sunshine!