Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
There have been new additions to Phil's Picture Page. This is currently on our frontcover and I am sure many will see it there and appreciate it as we know many do. Phil's pictures on Doverforum were something of a pioneering event, an event that even influenced our colleagues in the local newspapers. Surely no sez you... but yes indeed sez I.
Was I imagining it or did they suddenly increase theire nature coverage from non existent to substantial. And shure why not ...
Phils Picture Page is still part of the old magazine section which did NOT have a COMMENT facility or a COUNTER facility but we will make a new page No 2 if Phil manages to get new pictures in the coming weeks. Its not always easy to get these pictures and we cant take em for granted. But good luck to Phil and many thanks as ever.
I love the pictures, the orchids and the latest slow-worm. Dont miss them.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
Now that's one spider I don't mind - spider orchids!
The worm is lovely too. Great photos as always Phil.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
lol!! Jeane
I remember your fear of spiders but yes you will be safe there.
Its a stunning page.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
that must be the best yet from phil.
i wish i could take pics like that.
the lizard in particular is stunning.
i did not know about the slowworm eating slugs, saw my first one last year in my garden, sadly my cat and the slowworm had a bit of a falling out and i had to rescue it, and put it over the wall where there was a lot of vegetation,
so it could escape.
Guest 666- Registered: 25 Mar 2008
- Posts: 323
Cool Pics!
WOW digital so good these days, ah well back to the Patterson and Ilford for me...
Oh Boy!, That'll be the day.........
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
Paterson & Ilford lol! (all changed now, Paterson gone west, Ilford is now Harmann), I remember my big brother developing pics with the Omega in the bathroom at home, those were the days.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
Oops! nearly forgot, Great Pix Phil!
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Super Super photos yet again Phil! Those orchids are exquisitely beautiful. Ah! those lazy hazy days of summer...
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Thank you for your kind words as ever chaps. Just to emphasise, the Early Spider Orchid is only around for a couple of weeks so if you wish to see one go to Samphire Hoe in the next week or you may be disappointed this year.
Howie, macro pics are not that hard to do, I'm sure you could do excellent pictures. All you need is a macro-lens for your digital camera, get in close and set the camera to shoot loads of shots in a burst. It requires a lot of patience, squatting and lying flat, but you'll be amazed how professional some of your pictures look with not a great deal of effort. A top tip is to try and focus on the eyes of the beast you are aiming for if possible, any other area somehow doesn't look quite right. Quite honestly, I know hardly anything about photography, but do get rather persistant in bug hunting and looking them up afterwards. I really need to get out more.
Anyone seen an Adder this year yet? Please let me know if you do as I am desperate to finally get a decent picture of one.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
phil
the best wildlife shot was last year of a cricket/grasshopper on my arm.
for some reason they started appearing on my garden wall, one specie had long antennae that touched my arm and hand all over but would not jump on, the other had shorter antennae but just jumped on and felt around when it was there.
i find all nature fascinating(other than slugs), most creatures are much more tolerant of other species around them than us humans are.
my understanding that is only us and cats that would kill or torture something or someone without reason.
all the others kill to eat and survive.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
The Early Spider Orchids are back with a vengeance at Samphire Hoe. Given that they are so very rare even on chalk downland, this is excellent news. No count is in yet, I believe, but the numbers may well exceed last years. I advise that if you want to see them, go to Samphire Hoe in the next couple of weeks. You'll see them along both sides of the edges of the back path running adjacent to the Folkestone railway line.
Here's a couple of pics I took last Saturday to help identify them. Also attached is the first of this year's Common Lizards - I don't think I've seen them as early as this before. Look for them basking on the wooden fences by the tea hut.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
that last one is brilliant.
no doubt you will blow it up to show that samphire hoe has turned into jurassic park.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
I thought I'd leave the Giganotosaurus carolinii for the front page as you've all seen dozens of lizard pictures before. Primeval was largely filmed in Samphire Hoe you know - it saved on costly computer graphics.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
wow!! Phil great stuff. Love those pictures! Its always a delight to see nature pictures and they are very popular. That Samphire Hoe is a little gem of a place, but I admit to my shame Ive only ever been there about twice. I must get down there again to enjoy the sea breezes and take a look to see if I can see any wildlife.
I saw a piece in the newspapers last week that there was a walk at the weekend to try and spot the orchids. So well done managing to get us a hot topical shot above there.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
I do love the lizards
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Superb photos yet again Phil
love the Spider Orchids, must get over to Samphire Hoe soon although I'll be wary of the lizards when I'm having me cup of tae
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
phil
Great shots
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Thanks for the nice comments.
Compare this poor little male lizard to the above one - it has clearly recently lost it's tail leaving a pointed stub. Of course they can deliberately do this to help them escape predators but I don't think they ever grow back fully, though please correct me if I am wrong.
The butterfly is a Peacock also at Samphire Hoe last Saturday. Alas it wouldn't pose for me fully open before flitting off, but it's good to see them around.
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Really good picture's Phil a trip to samphire Hoe looks on the cards looks like a very pleasant place on a sunny afternoon.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
I bumped into our man Phil this lunchtime along Barton Path armed with camera on his way to the Western Heights, so all reptiles should put on their bib n' tucker to look their best
