Flickr wetpixel group

I have been quite active on Flickr for some time, and like it as a place to put pictures that I would like to show to a larger audience than I might get on my web site alone. It is a social place, and getting and giving feedback is great for the soul (and ego!)

I have recently been made an admin for the wetpixel group on Flickr. This is a spin off from the great Wetpixel main site here. We have a great group of admins, who have some ideas to make this group the best underwater photography site on Flickr.

If you haven't joined Flickr yet, click here. It is free and a great place to view fantastic images of all descriptions

Sunny walk around Heysham HDR images

Last Monday, I went out for a walk around the Barrows at Heysham. It was a beautiful sunny day, but there was a strong wind blowing. The contrast in the woods was very stark, so I made my first attempts at HDR images. These are the result of 5 pictures, at +2 and -2 exposures, blended via Photomatix pro. The colours are amazingly vivid, although the wind has caused some leaf movement, and hence some ghosting.

Black and white moray images aka Monster

Monster
Originally uploaded by andythirlwell

What a fantastic Image.

Swimming with a sea kayak

Went out for a paddle today-yesterday, beautiful flat calm, today force 5-6 easterly.

Anyway the wind was making life tough-together with wind over tide swells on the incoming tide. So to cut a long stort short, I fell out of my boat. Fortunately, I wasn't a long way off shore, but the wind/tide was quite hard to swim against, particuarly holding my kayak and paddle

Lesson learnt-anyone going to teach me to roll?

Diving at Capernwray last Thursday

Dave Morgan and I went for pleasure dive late last Thursday, cameras in hand. I was using my 10-17 with a 1.4 teleconvertor to try and get those up close and personal pictuers of the Sturgeon, but it was not to be! No sturgeon to be found! Still, the trout were on form, and the sun put in a brief appearance! Thank Dave for a nice dive!

More shark video

Shark Angels - on Shark Finning from Shark Angels on Vimeo.

We are at war on the last frontier.

The conflict between exploitation and conservation of the world’s natural resources is at a tipping point – and the oceans are the most volatile battleground. Surprisingly, sharks, the creatures we fear most, are battling for survival, putting our oceans – and ourselves – in dire peril. The sharks are in desperate need of guardian angels, and we just might be their last hope.

Shark Angels

Keep sharks in the seas, not on plates!

Food for thought!

Shoot Tiger Sharks from Oceanicallstars: Duncan Brake on Vimeo.

Diving and trout feeding at Capernwray Today

Another glorious day! Caron and I went for a few dives. Visibility was excellent, and the trout were on form!

Alex Mustards Manatee pictures

I stumbled across this album, from Alex's profile on Facebook. the crystal clear water and the poses these amazing animals have made (and his ability to capture them) are fantastic.

Apparently, if you scratch their tummies, they roll over and clasp you with their flippers! How cute! Another destination to add to the growing list. How much are flights to Miami?!