Digiscoping..

Above are two images taken using a technique known as 'Digiscoping'. These two images were produced using a combination of a Contax U4R digital camera and Leica Spotting Scope. It may take over 100 attempts to produce one superb image. Below are a couple of my early attemps. The Great Spotted Woodpecker for example is slightly off focus as the camera's automatic focus decided to hone in on the tree not the bird. A slight shadow on the top right of the Mallard is due to the fact that I haven't zoomed in enough on the bird with the camera and the scope image shadow can still be seen.

Frozen In!

This cold snap in November 05 took us by surprise! Despite weather forcasts indicating a snowy few days, our snow arrived two days after the rest of the country. You wake up the next morning to find our resident Mallards wandering about on the ice.
Staying in a marina for the Winter has it's advantages. On the canals, or 'The Cut' as us boaties refer to it, you rely purely on your battery power. However, the marina has the advantage of shoreline. With shore line we have the same advantages as any householder plus in the event of a power out, we just refer back to our battery power. SWEET!

'Quidditch' Arrives Home

Above Right... After her 2 week maiden voyage in June 2004, from Northwich Cheshire, to her first home at the Thames & Kennet Marina, Reading, Dee navigates from Goring to Reading along the River Thames.
Above Left... This is the view from the pontoon at the Thames & Kennet Marina. The whole journey took 14 days travelling at an average 9 hours a day! Dee completed 141 locks en route!!

Canals in sequence : -

Trent and Mersey
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Coventry Canal
Oxford Canal
Grand Union Canal
River Thames

'Quidditch' Navigates Harecastle

Below... 'Quidditch' approaches the reputedly haunted Harecastle Tunnel in June 2004 on her maiden voyage from Northwich, Cheshire to The TK Marina on the River Thames @ Reading in Berkshire, her first home.

Below 2.... 45 minutes later 'Quidditch' appears. What an amazing experience. Both Dee & I were soaked thru' and fortunately by being forewarned wrapped up well. Despite being around 30 degrees outside the temperature drops sharply when your in the tunnel. Plus, being 6'4" tall I had to duck on several occasions! We have since completed the tunnel for a 2nd time on our 2005 tour and our plans for 2006 also means another visit!
For more information and history on the Harecastle Tunnel click Here.