Making Progress

Shot of the Year

Not being a much of a portrait photographer I was particularly proud of this portrait of Ross so it's my choice as Shot of the Year 

After breakfast I went to the Health Centre to get my toe dressing changed, this doubled up with an appointment to get my blood checked to see if I was on the correct dosage of warfarin. The nurse was pleased with the progress my toe was making and agreed to let me dress it on my own after tomorrow and report back next Thursday. When I left the Health Centre I did my weekly turn at filling the bird feeders at the Moorland Feeder Station. All the feeders and boards were completely empty, there must be plenty of hungry birds at the moment. The wind was so bitterly cold there was no pleasure in hanging around so I went to Wauchope cottage for coffee and scones with Tootlepedal and Dropscone. Tootlepedal informed me that the new hide was due to be erected next week at the feeders. 

As it's far too cold to venture out with the camera today my collection of shots that I took throughout last year which I had made up into a calendar.

January

 

February

 March

 April

 May

 June

 July

 August

 September

 October

 November

December

Cover 

I

Not Toe Bad

Shot of the Day

My festive break has been extended due to a rather nasty ingrowing toenail that had to be surgically removed. My toe has been getting dressed on a daily basis and is slowly improving. I decided to give it a test run yesterday and took up the offer of wee stroll round Gaskell's Walk with Tootlepedal.

Tootlepedal is in fine form after his recent knee operation

I had a go at a macro shot of this lichen on top of a fence post but you really need a steady hand which I haven't got these days or to use a tripod. Tootlepedal refers to theses as miniature gardens, which I think is quite appropriate.

Even in winter this view of the Auld Stane Brig is quite obscured. 

The landscape along the walk is starting to regenerate after the clear felling that was done two or three years ago. It looks quite barren at the moment but come spring and early summer the slopes will be covered in Foxgloves and Rosebay Willowherb which will be worthy of a few photo excursions.

After walking a short distance the polypores on this tree that had been snapped in two by the recent high winds caught our eye.

The new bridge that was constructed last year to span a gully that seems to get deeper with every storm.

Unfortunately you don't get the full effect through the camera lens.

We continued on past Stubholm Farm which is possibly one of the oldest in the area. Where there was some signs of early an early spring.

Continuing on down the track towards the river Tootlepedal pointed out a fungus covered log that he had discovered on recent jaunt. I tried to get some arty shots but it was difficult to get myself in a decent position.

Due to the cold damp weather everything seems to be coated a thick layer of moss and is permanently damp.

By this time my toe was starting to protest and I was keen to get home and get my feet up. At the time of writing this blog (Wednesday 14th) have managed another walk round the Castleholm and there has been much improvement in my toe so hopefully by the weekend I'll be well on the way to full speed.

This image of a street musician that I took in Edinburgh earned me third place in the digital class in the second open competition at Newcastleton Camera Club on Monday night.

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Going Bionic

Shot of the Day

Glasgow

Today's blog photos come from a recent trip to Glasgow to visit my friend Margot. Arriving at Central Station on Friday teatime we headed for George Square which was all lit up with festive lights and a Fair was in full swing.

We then visited a colourful continental market close by which was selling a great variety of colourful goods.

On Saturday we headed for the Transport Museum which also known as the the Riverside Museum. Designed by award winning architect Zaha Hadid this is a wonderful example of contemporary modern architecture which Glasgow seems to have embraced. The museum itself hosts a wonderful collection vehicles from different eras. In one part of the museum a street with shops and vehicles from the late 19th century has been created, along with people dressed for the period going about what would have been their everyday business.

A wall of motor cycles

As most of you already know, Tootlepedal has recently went bionic and got himself a new knee. He is rigidly sticking to the exercise plan he was given despite the constant pain he is baring at the moment. I try to visit on fairly regular basis without overstaying my welcome as I can see he gets tired very quickly. On recent blog he mentioned a rather fine portrait for him to see, although I'm not a portrait photographer I was very pleased with this one.

Ross

Capital Pictures

 Shot of The Day

I took up the offer of a lift to Lockerbie with Mr & Mrs Tootlepedal on Friday and accompany them on the train to Edinburgh. The plan was; they would go off and see the worlds greatest baby and I would have a day in the city mainly devoted to photography. 

Lockerbie Station

We were going very fast

Mr & Mrs Tootlepedal in a relaxed mode and enjoying the journey

I got off the train at the Haymarket as I wanted to experience a ride on the new tram system. There's been  serious amount of money spent in getting the system up and running but now it's in operation we may as well enjoy it rather than bemoan it. I traveled down Princes Street and got off at St Andrews Square. 

I spent the rest of the morning having a pleasant walk round the New Town before having lunch in the Standing Order on George Street. 

King James Shopping Centre

After lunch I headed for Calton Hill passing the two giraffes that featured in Tootlepedals blog recently. I liked them. 

The view over the city from Calton Hill as always is breathtaking, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves

I spent  some time taking arty shots.

I left Calton Hill pausing at this building on Waterloo Place.....

.....it's where the reception was held when my son got married.

I think Victoria Place always photographs well

I like the concentration on both the artist and the subjects face.

Halloween Queues at a novelty shop 

More Queues

This guy was standing at the door of the novelty shop and looked straight at the camera and smiled as I took the shot

Street Photography

The main reason for the visit to Edinburgh was to try my hand at street photography, I got plenty of these kind of shots......

..... but I persevered and the following is in my opinion the best of the bunch