Bee goes buzz

An Asian hornet was spotted in Cork recently. If they gain a hold in this country it could be very bad news for bumblebees like the one in this photo.

This particular bee had 3 of us surrounding her with cameras trying to photograph her as she fed on the nectar of this little flower.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO4000
Shutter speed1/500s

Nature’s Spotlight in Ballincollig Park

It’s sometimes hard to believe there was a gunpowder mill in this area, but look around and you’ll see the ruins everywhere. Here though, I found a winding, worn path running parallel to the neat tarmac of the modern path.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1s

A Chimpanzee’s Afternoon Siesta

A Chimpanzee in the Bioparc in Valencia has a nap in a warm afternoon sunshine.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length240mm
ISO1000
Shutter speed1/500s

Golden Dawn Through the Trees

This morning, the sun rose through a beautiful orange haze. This was some 600m away through the eye of a long lens, and it looked even better in real life.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length600mm
ISO800
Shutter speed1/4000s

All Stripes and Horns

A Bongo Antelope at Bioparc Valencia was relaxing under the shade when he looked behind at the humans visiting. The baboons in an enclosure nearby were getting most of the attention, though.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length240mm
ISO160
Shutter speed1/500s

A Coastal Haven in West Cork

The Baltimore Beacon on one side and Sherkin Island on the other, while we travelled to that island on a day trip, the same day as this photo of the Wallis Buoy.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/640s

Look down on Dunquin Pier

I remember the day I took this photo, in August 2020. When I arrived, a group of young women were taking selfies at this spot and from my perspective, they looked like they were standing on the edge of a cliff. It’s still dangerous, but it was a calm evening and there was plenty of space if you’re an invincible teenager, unafraid of your mortality.

At the time, only pubs that served were alllowed to open due to Covid restrictions, but B&Bs and hotels were open. Breakfast in our B&B in Dingle was strictly monitored, with guests having to book their times so the dining room didn’t become too crowded.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length38mm
ISO100
Shutter speed3.2s

Nature’s Art: Fungi Patterns

I spotted this fascinating looking fungus growing out a dead tree trunk last weekend. I’d no idea what kind of fungi they were until an AI identified them as a Polypore.

This is a good sign, for that small forest I found them in, just outside Kenmare:

Polypores have been used as indicator species of healthy natural forests or old-growth forests in Europe. They are good indicators of invertebrate diversity on dead wood and include many endangered species. Polypores make good indicators because they are relatively easy to find – many species produce conspicuous and long-lasting fruiting bodies – and because they can be identified in the field.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO800
Shutter speed1/500s