My husband was ordering our online shopping last night and thoughtfully asked if I needed any more almond milk for my indoor photography projects. I didn’t know what to say. It’s been good to have something to do during our third lockdown in a year, but to be honest, the dandelion seeds are wearing a bit thin. We’ve been very lucky of course, with the animals to keep us busy and plenty of space outside when the weather has been good. The projects have been a useful distraction during the winter, or when we weren’t allowed to drive anywhere for recreation.
Looking back through my images from the very first lockdown on 23rd March 2020, I did pretty well, all things considered. I photographed my very first spiders and caught a bee fly and hoverfly in flight. Once the reserves started opening, I probably had more than my fair share of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. I even found a longhorn beetle that I befriended from the year before.
I found a new passion for astrophotography, capturing both the Milky Way and Comet Neowise on some of my nocturnal wanderings.
I taught myself how to focus stack living insects, something I would like to develop further once we are allowed out again.
I watched the sunset at Birling Gap with a random group of strangers, before stopping to chat with another photographer until well after dark.
On one crazy day, I took myself on a five hour round trip to a brand new reserve.
Once autumn was underway, I very nearly ran myself into the ground to capture the colours before they disappeared. Once again, I drove for hours to visit places I had never been to before. I also found new parts of very familiar places, quite close to home.
We adopted another kitten from Bulgaria in the middle of the second lockdown and he has been a source of constant entertainment.
Finally, there have been lockdown projects. Water beads photographed in a cheap glass bottle bought from Amazon. Endless dandelion seeds in containers of milky water and water drops that to date, have refused to splash artistically. (Although I do have a cunning plan involving the bath, my backdrop stand and a few cheap bits from an aquarium shop. Thank goodness a new supply of almond milk arrived about an hour ago).
The image featured above is perhaps one of my favourites from last year. Taken in Ashdown Forest, a 20-minute drive from home, it was the final photograph of my final outing in 2020. The sun was very low in the sky and the woods behind the little tree were already in deep shade. The last rays were lighting up the leaves in a magical fashion and as I raced to set up my tripod, I very nearly fell down a large rabbit hole.
Steve Cullum
23 Mar 2021Nice blog and what a year! It’s going to be nice, yet strange to get out to some reserves soon, but very welcome 🙂
Zooey
24 Mar 2021Certainly very strange. I’m still not sure how far we are allowed to travel. It will just be nice to have a bit of freedom 🙂
Sid
24 Mar 2021Good morning!
Happy One Year Anniversary ❤️
That shot is impressive. It is a magical fashion, for sure! And a rabbit hole is not a good place for a tripod but the photo is a masterpiece 😜💕
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Sid
Zooey
24 Mar 2021Thank you, Sid. I should have made it clear. It was one year ago yesterday that we had our first lockdown. A lot has happened since then. I will remember your advice with a smile. A rabbit hole is certainly NOT a good place for a tripod 😀