Hastings Country Park this afternoon - lots of pics

[Mike Jackson]

We headed over to the country park late this afternoon so i took the camera to show people what to expect if they come on the walk on the 17th.

The guys always have a good time


CQ9R8251 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Not sure the same can be said for the wildlife though.


CQ9R8253 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8256 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Happy dogs


CQ9R8258 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8267 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Lovely views.


CQ9R8271 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8274 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8278 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Playing catch the treat


CQ9R8282 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8283 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8288 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Exploring


CQ9R8289 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8291 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8299 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8301 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Posing time


CQ9R8310 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

More views


CQ9R8312 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8321 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

And more gratuitous schnauzer pics


CQ9R8330 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8333 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8286 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

[BeeBee]

Can't wait, looks great

[Eddie]

Some good pictures. I like manual settings, what sort of camera do you use?

[Mike Jackson]

Can EOS 1D MK IV with a 70 - 200 f/2.8 L IS USM II lens on today. I was shooting in aperture priority. f/2.8 for most of the dog shots and between f/4 and f/5 for the landscapes. The focus was set to AI servo with high speed shooting active. ISO 100 due to the bright day.

[Dwarf family]

Those are brilliant pics. I could spend all day looking at great schnauzer pictures

[Mike Jackson]

Woke up early this morning so headed over for a walk around the route I've planned for the 17th. Took me about 1 1/2 hours so we should be looking at 2 - 2 1/2 for a group. It's very hilly in parts but there is an alternative if anyone can't cope with the worst hills.

I didn't get there in time for sunrise but the sky was still looking good.


CQ9R8569 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Only 3 vehicles in the car park


CQ9R8570 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

The light was great for picture taking, you can see why it's called the golden hour by photographers.


CQ9R8573 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8580 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

This is the sort of view we can expect but don't panic it's not as near the edge as it looks,


CQ9R8607 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

The guys led the way for most of the walk.


CQ9R8609 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8610 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Although I did get them to hang back for a few photo opportunities.


CQ9R8611 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8612 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Fairly steep but navigable with a bit of care.


CQ9R8615 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Never miss the opportunity to pose.


CQ9R8620 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8630 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8648 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8671 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

A view in the old quarry


CQ9R8644 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Wait for me


CQ9R8685 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

[BeeBee]

Superb photos Mike, really great. Can we get down to the sea at all during the walk, doesn't matter if we don't of course, just interested.
What beach is it in the pictures?

[Mike Jackson]

No access to the beach from the walk but it did occur to me that we could head off to the beach in the afternoon after lunch if anyone fancied a paddle.

The beach is at the base of Ecclesbourne glen. There used to be access down at the next cove along but the steps got washed away and the council never replaced them.

[Dee sharp]

Fantastic pictures Mike, you had some gorgous light for some of your shots. Your boys look as if they had a fantasic day out.

[BeeBee]

No access to the beach from the walk but it did occur to me that we could head off to the beach in the afternoon after lunch if anyone fancied a paddle.

The beach is at the base of Ecclesbourne glen. There used to be access down at the next cove along but the steps got washed away and the council never replaced them.

Great, if it's a good day to hang about, I'll definitely be keen to go out to the beach in the afternoon.

[Mike Jackson]

As it was such a lovely evening we had our dinner early and headed back up for another walk.


CQ9R8729 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

We met some new friends


CQ9R8732 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


CQ9R8750 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

Harassed more wildlife


CQ9R8742 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

And finished up with a shot to match the first one today.


CQ9R8740 by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr

[black beard]

Beautiful pictures

[HighPeaker]

Fab pictures. You must have got up early to get that early morning lighting at this time of the year...wish I could manage to get out of bed that early.

You use quite a wide aperture for your landscapes....I tend to use F9 upwards to increase the depth of field but then I'm not out and about at the same time of day and mostly not using my telephoto for landscapes (I realise you were using this lens to get good shots of the dogs). I'm only a keen amateur, and have a Canon 20D, so just being curious really and trying to learn more.

[Mike Jackson]

The depth of field is enough for what I want at those apertures and the sharpness starts to drop off slightly above f/5.6 although not a great deal on the lenses I've got. I rarely shoot narrower than f/8 unless I'm doing macro stuff when I'm at f/16 or narrower. I also like a bit of the foreground to be slightly out of focus as I like that look, I think it helps to focus the attention on the bit of the scene that I'm looking at.

It's all very dependant on the lenses you're using as a lot of lenses have a sweet spot around f/8.

[HighPeaker]

Thanks for the insight....I need to do more experimenting with apertures on my longer lens although it won't go wider than f4 I think.

In the mean time I'll keep enjoying your pictures....