Monday 23 September 2013

A view from the air...

So I'm sat on a plane returning from an incredibly sad goodbye with my beautiful girlfriend. I have however found a way of distracting myself. I've been taking pictures out of the window of the plane.

 

I forgot the joys of travelling through clear daytime skies in an aeroplane. The views are truly stunning and it is a great game to play 'guess what part of the world your flying over now'. So, without further ramblings, here are some pictures from a plane.

Madrid airport...

Shortly after take off...
 

 

Some views of Spain as we climbed...

 

 

I was fascinated by the natural plateau in that last one.

As we climbed into the clouds (not that there were many)...

 

Looking from a plane at the plains in Spain...

 

As we got to cruising altitude...

 

Heading into the Bay of Biscay (I think)...

 

Over France...

 

A large amount of cloud hiding the the English Channel and England...

 

A strange 'lake' in the mass of cloud...

 

 

Never ending cloud...

The descent (and subsequent pressure changes) plays havoc with my bottle (no wonder my ears are popping!)...

A break in the cloud as we descend towards Stansted, am I going to be lucky with a clear landing? I'm literally writing this live in the air so I have no idea!

A peak of England through the cloud...

England basking in Sunday evening sunshine...

 

We have banked round in preparation of landing. Photo fun over..

Stansted airport in the evening...

Home now so I can publish this blog!

 

Sunday 8 September 2013

Some recent pictures...

Just thought I would compile a very quick blog of some of my latest pictures.

Let's start with this very obliging Mediterranean gull that was showing off at Sandwell Valley last weekend (31/08/13).

Med Gull - Sandwell Valley - August 2013 - Mike Ixer

Med Gull - Sandwell Valley - August 2013 - Mike Ixer

Had a very rewarding trip to Upton Warren on Tuesday to make the most of my last day of freedom before returning to work. Little stint was a year tick and good to see having only ever seen one before. This willow tit was a surprise whilst photographing other 'common' birds around the feeders.

Willow Tit - Upton Warren - Sept. 2013 - Mike Ixer

Willow Tit - Upton Warren - Sept. 2013 - Mike Ixer

Almost missed the willow tit whilst photographing this great tit - would have been a bit irritating.

Great Tit - Upton Warren - Spet. 2013 - Mike Ixer

Finally a slightly shaky shot of a spotted flycatcher taken yesterday during the all day bird list challenge at Sandwell Valley.

Spotted Flycatcher - Sandwell Valley - Sept. 2013 - Mike Ixer

I'll try to update more often with simple posts like this and keep the long rambling posts for special occasions.

Until next next time...