You'll be telling me summer has arrived next...

[Ian]

With unbelievable timing, a month and a half late, the summer has arrived here in the UK just 5 days before the 2012 Olympics start in London. I thought I'd make a record of this rare condition and so went snapping with a Pentax K-5 earlier today:


Strummin' in the sun.


Cloudless blus skies in Hemel? Shock horror!


A Moorhen contemplates a cooling dip in the Grand Union Canal.


Cluck cluck! Any idea what this bright hot stuff is?

All shots developed from PEF Pentax RAW files in Lightroom 4.1

Ian

[Pol]

Nice selection and definite proof that we're having a glimpse of summer.

Lovely shot of the strummer and I'm also ever so pleased to see a picci of the chooks looking so strong, healthy and happy.

Pol

[Ian]

Yes, chooks going well, especially now that it's dry. Their run was turning into mudbath during the monsoon, so I have plans to extend the roofing and so keep more of the rain out in future. Very nice eggs at the moment (basically you need to make sure they are eating enough of the layers mash - it's not their favourite, but it's much better for good quality egg shells and for their own health too).

Ian

[Pol]

Originally Posted by Ian

Yes, chooks going well, especially now that it's dry. Their run was turning into mudbath during the monsoon, so I have plans to extend the roofing and so keep more of the rain out in future. Very nice eggs at the moment (basically you need to make sure they are eating enough of the layers mash - it's not their favourite, but it's much better for good quality egg shells and for their own health too).

Ian

Are these the same chooks you got maybe a couple of years ago, the ones that had such floppy and sad 'crowns' on their heads?

I'm amazed by how big and strong they're looking now - strong legs, chunky bodies and strutting with confidence and pride.

Pol

[OlyPaul]

And isn't it grand.

Love the first one Ian, he looks a character.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by OlyPaul

And isn't it grand.

Love the first one Ian, he looks a character.

This was taken with the Pentax 50-200 (75-300 equivalent) and I took another closer in using 200mm but that was motion blurred. After being spoiled by the OM-D EM-5's IS I have come back down to earth

He's definitely a character and gent - I asked him for permission and he said no problem.

Ian

[Pops]

I love that character in the first. I'm sure he would have some strong opinions of life should you engage him in conversation.
Your cluckers look healthy so your obviously treating them good.

[DennisP]

Hi Ian - What is all this - touting around with a Pentax K5 is it one that you have on loan to try out and and comment on your findings with it.?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by DennisP

Hi Ian - What is all this - touting around with a Pentax K5 is it one that you have on loan to try out and and comment on your findings with it.?

I get all sorts of cameras to play with Pentax demo'd the new K-30 a couple of weeks ago but they don't have any spare review cameras at the moment so I said I'd have a look at the K-5 in the mean times as I've not used it before.

It's a nice camera - quiet shutter, great sensor, OK kit lenses (although nothing special to be honest) but the AF (with non-sonic motor lenses) is very agricultural in audible terms, although impressively quick in normal mode. Rather slow in live view mode.

Ian

[yoshi]

Originally Posted by DennisP

Hi Ian - What is all this - touting around with a Pentax K5 is it one that you have on loan to try out and and comment on your findings with it.?

Hi Dennis,
This is almost what I thought when I had a look of this thread. Ian IS a Pentaxian now?

BTW both you two seem to have nice blue sky. Our raining season ended five days ago and expecting to have summer sky soon. I just don't like the humidity here.

yoshi

[Ian]

Originally Posted by yoshi

Hi Dennis,
This is almost what I thought when I had a look of this thread. Ian IS a Pentaxian now?

BTW both you two seem to have nice blue sky. Our raining season ended five days ago and expecting to have summer sky soon. I just don't like the humidity here.

yoshi

I forgot to mention that we are aware of some very bad flooding in Kyushu island in Japan recently. I feel very sorry for the series of disasters that seems to hit Japan one after another!

I have been to Kyushu when I visited Canon in Oita. I remember it is very volcanic and there were hot springs everywhere and something unique I think - steam coming up through the sand on the beach

It was over ten years ago (June 2001) but I remember it well:





Taken using a Canon EOS D30 (3 megapixels!) and 17-35 f/2.8 L. The shot of the Beppu beach sand bath sign was taken from inside bus, hence the reflection on the window you may just be able to see.

Ian

[yoshi]

Thanks for that. This is anyway a country of natural disasters since these islands were created. What we do not like is that we are now having political disasters on top of that.

You seem to be already many places of Japan. I've never been to Kyushu although I've been to all other prefectures. I somehow like the northern parts especially this season. But your photos charm me to go there.

I once wanted the 17-35/2.8L.

yoshi

[Ian]

Originally Posted by yoshi

Thanks for that. This is anyway a country of natural disasters since these islands were created. What we do not like is that we are now having political disasters on top of that.

You seem to be already many places of Japan. I've never been to Kyushu although I've been to all other prefectures. I somehow like the northern parts especially this season. But your photos charm me to go there.

I once wanted the 17-35/2.8L.

yoshi

The 17-35 L may have been a good lens for film, but it wasn't very good for digital and was soon replaced by the 16-35 - evan that was quickly updated to Mark II spec.

Ian