Sweetest things

Saturday 19th February 2021

What do you do when it's raining? Edit some photos. I have quite a few catalogs to edit, which will keep me busy when I feel motivated, as, at times, I can be un-motivated to edit them.

I spend an hour when editing, as it's easy to get lost in the editing world. After a while, I lose the freshness if I am editing for a long time. Hopefully, by keeping it short, I can look at my photos in a different light and bring a creative view to them.

I use Adobe Lightroom Classic for editing. Occasionally I will use Photoshop but not that often. I am still learning and exploring the software. There is so much technical side to know, but it will come gradually. I go with my gut feeling for the time being and make sure I am happy with them.

Below are the photos I have worked on. I don't normally do too much to them, just a slight adjustment as sometimes I don't get it quite right when taking the photos.

Sunday 21st February 2021

I managed a walk today with my camera. It was dry when I left home, soon the heavens opened. I decided to carry on, as I knew I needed to be out in the open, in the fresh air as I always feel better afterward. The weekends are the only chance I get to go on long walks. Today, my route was walking to Monkton Park (Chippenham), onto the old Railway track, and back along Abbeyfield School track. Head back into Chippenham Town Centre.

My first stop was the Town Bridge. Swans always hang by the river bank as this is the feeding spot(along with Pigeons and Seagulls, which fly above you when they get chased by children). I was lucky today, as they were not hanging around at this particular time.

This Swan and his partner in crime are the bosses. I love watching him, snapping away to get lovely shots of him (hoping to get some action photography); as he rules the roost, the other swans must obey him.

I took so many photos of the Swans; this is why it takes me time to edit them. Lucky I have a star rating to select the images which I like to edit/publish.

The path to the park leads me to a couple with their children. Their little girl was riding a bike in the complete opposite direction. She was so sweet, saying "hello," I said "hello" back. I chatted to her parents (Socially distanced). They were hoping the park would tire her out. It's nice seeing families enjoying the fresh air and open spaces.

I still haven't seen the Otter (apparently in the River Avon). One day maybe, if I am lucky.

I would maybe take some photos; sometimes, I like to walk, listening to the birds singing away and soaking in the fresh air. I escape into a world of my own.

Eventually, it stopped raining, yay. At this time, I managed to pick up a stone in my shoe, which was annoying me. I continued with it in my shoe as I didn't want my hands or camera to get filthy (Lazy, I know).

I continued in my world when I could hear this noise; Canadian Swans were flying in the sky, making a racket; I quickly snapped away, fingers crossed that I managed to get a shot, which I did 😊. It's not the most fantastic photo, as I am still learning action photography (it's tricky). Flying birds, Swans, etc., are hard at times to get it right. Sometimes I try not to worry about the technical side; for me, it's about getting outside and escaping the world for five minutes and living in the present time. The technical stuff will get there eventually.

I headed off to the old railway track (onto the trail, there is a slope). I could hear cyclist's coming down the hill. Both cyclists, covered from head to toe in mud. Rather them than me🤣🤣 . I am glad my days, washing off the dirt from my wellies and horses, are well and truly over; I do not miss this at all. One thing for sure, I am not getting on my bike until it's dry, lol.

I made my way up onto the track, across the bridge which I don't like very much (walked instead quickly over it), met an old gentleman and his little dog, she has tiny legs, totally muddy. They wash her in the sink, which she doesn't mind as long as the water is warm, which I don't blame her as I wouldn't want cold water either.

It's nice to talk to people when out and about (of course socially distanced).

We both said to have a nice day; then I caught something out of my eye, there was something in the field. Ducks were swimming in the flooded area, obviously not happy with a big river. This Duck wanted a little adventure. It's not the perfect picture as I was quite far away, but I like it because it has an arty feel.

Next on my spotted list were horses.

They were enjoying being out in the field eating grass.

As I headed towards home, down the track towards the farm and Abbeyfield school, I came across another pony.

Which spotted me, was happy to pose. I continued walking up the track, and I spotted birds in the bushes, which I managed to capture, as they can be tricky at times, especially if they wish not to play.

I haven't been that lucky capturing birds today; one minute they are in front of me, I get my camera ready, off they go again; I need to learn to get quicker or hope they will be nice to me one day. Hopefully, I will get there; for the time being, I enjoy giving it ago. Sometimes it pays off when if I have luck on my side.

I took a pit stop at Greg's Bakery to treat myself to lunch. (Baguette, a naughty doughnut, and drink)

I continued my journey home. I couldn't resist taking more photos of the Swans.

The sweetest things for me today are feeling lucky to have fantastic walks in my local area, enjoying the wildlife, dry weather when it arrived, and treating myself to lunch.

Most of all, the sweetest thing is that spring is coming, according to the flowers and fingers crossed warmer weather.