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Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
I just got back from a trip to the Flinders' ranges in South Oz: my favourite part of the world!
It was an Astro Camp: the skies are "Bortle 1", with SQM readings down to 22.1 on a good night. Not this time though, as the upcoming solarmax has meant the dark skies are a bit brighter than usual.
Here are a couple of non-astro pics from the trip...
One of the locals: a Wedge-tailed eagle. It is a very dark colour which would indicate it is quite a few years old
Some more locals: a flock of Corellas (a medium sized cockatoo). Some of them are carrying pieces of "paddy-melon"; a pest species that grows along the side of the road.
The entrance to Brachina Gorge, one of my favourite picnic spots:
...and, turning around, another local: a yellow-footed rock wallaby:
and finally, some 640M year old stromatolites in Parachilna Gorge. These are identical to the ones still being formed today on the mid-northwest coast of Western Australia!
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
Sophia and I had an early start this morning so we could get a walk in the Forest before we had to get back for our respective work days.
We had left our home by 6.30am and travelled to Roydon Woods Nature Reserve, Brockenhurst.
It was a beautiful morning. Sunny but not too hot (9℃ / 48.2℉).
This is an extract from the Roydon Woods website to explain what it is about -
"Roydon Woods nature reserve is an impressive patchwork of wildlife rich habitats, including grassy meadows and ancient copses of conifer and hazel. This nature reserve is beautiful all year round – whenever you choose to visit, you’re sure to be absorbed by the magic of this enchanting ancient woodland.
A great many birds and mammals call Roydon Woods home, including great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, skylarks, badgers, voles, stoats and a great many more.
Amongst the dense blocks of woodland are rich floral carpets, which attract a host of beautiful moths and butterflies, including small pearl bordered fritillary. These woods are perfect for birders and wildlife enthusiasts, with a tranquillity and magnificence that will enchant even the most hardened city dweller.
The woods are also home to fungi of all shapes, sizes and colours, including the delicate porcelain fungi."
It is so quiet here, apart from the chirping of the birds and our footfall on the gravel paths. The early morning smells are incredible. Definitely worth getting up and out early to experience this
I took a few photos to share with you...
The following plaque is attached to a gate in the reserve. It reads as follows:
“The reinstatement of the historic management of this area as heathland and pasture woodland is dedicated to the memory of Colin Tubbs without whose tireless efforts many such areas would have been lost.”
Colin Tubbs was an ecologist and author of books on the New Forest. You can read more about him here - Colin Tubbs bio
The last three photos brings us to a footbridge that crosses Lymington River. We took a few minutes to enjoy the sound of the river trickling through here...
Before we started our walk through Roydon Woods Nature Reserve, we parked in the car park outside St. Nicholas Church
A site opposite the church was chosen as a First World War hospital centre. The facilities were later taken over in 1916 and became the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital, where over 21,000 New Zealand casualties were treated.
There are Commonwealth war graves in St Nicholas church cemetery.
In the church car park is an information board and plinth...
Unfortunately, the wording on the board may not be readable in this image. The original size is too large to post here and I don't have a website to post it to either - sorry
DeanD wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 5:36 am
I just got back from a trip to the Flinders' ranges in South Oz: my favourite part of the world!
It was an Astro Camp: the skies are "Bortle 1", with SQM readings down to 22.1 on a good night. Not this time though, as the upcoming solarmax has meant the dark skies are a bit brighter than usual.
Here are a couple of non-astro pics from the trip...
One of the locals: a Wedge-tailed eagle. It is a very dark colour which would indicate it is quite a few years old
Wedgie1.jpeg
Wedgie2.jpeg
Some more locals: a flock of Corellas (a medium sized cockatoo). Some of them are carrying pieces of "paddy-melon"; a pest species that grows along the side of the road.
Corellas1.jpeg
The entrance to Brachina Gorge, one of my favourite picnic spots:
Brachina Gorge 1.jpeg
...and, turning around, another local: a yellow-footed rock wallaby:
Rock Wallaby 1.jpeg
and finally, some 640M year old stromatolites in Parachilna Gorge. These are identical to the ones still being formed today on the mid-northwest coast of Western Australia!
Stromatolites1.jpeg
Beautiful nature and Bortle 1 sky this is a dream come true trip! Thanks for sharing Dean.
Butterfly Maiden wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 9:21 am
Sophia and I had an early start this morning so we could get a walk in the Forest before we had to get back for our respective work days.
We had left our home by 6.30am and travelled to Roydon Woods Nature Reserve, Brockenhurst.
It was a beautiful morning. Sunny but not too hot (9℃ / 48.2℉).
This is an extract from the Roydon Woods website to explain what it is about -
"Roydon Woods nature reserve is an impressive patchwork of wildlife rich habitats, including grassy meadows and ancient copses of conifer and hazel. This nature reserve is beautiful all year round – whenever you choose to visit, you’re sure to be absorbed by the magic of this enchanting ancient woodland.
A great many birds and mammals call Roydon Woods home, including great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, skylarks, badgers, voles, stoats and a great many more.
Amongst the dense blocks of woodland are rich floral carpets, which attract a host of beautiful moths and butterflies, including small pearl bordered fritillary. These woods are perfect for birders and wildlife enthusiasts, with a tranquillity and magnificence that will enchant even the most hardened city dweller.
The woods are also home to fungi of all shapes, sizes and colours, including the delicate porcelain fungi."
It is so quiet here, apart from the chirping of the birds and our footfall on the gravel paths. The early morning smells are incredible. Definitely worth getting up and out early to experience this
The following plaque is attached to a gate in the reserve. It reads as follows:
“The reinstatement of the historic management of this area as heathland and pasture woodland is dedicated to the memory of Colin Tubbs without whose tireless efforts many such areas would have been lost.”
roydon-woods-26May23_05.jpg
Colin Tubbs was an ecologist and author of books on the New Forest. You can read more about him here - Colin Tubbs bio
The last three photos brings us to a footbridge that crosses Lymington River. We took a few minutes to enjoy the sound of the river trickling through here...
Been going through some old images I took back in 2017 when I traveled to some places in Europe. There are many I didn't process at the time but are still worth salvaging. This is the little coastal village of St. Abbs, Scotland.
Lyle In Utah
Telescopes: William Optics Zenithstar 73 III APO, ZWO 30mm f/4 Mini Guide Scope
Cameras: Sony a7IV Mirrorless, ZWO ASI120MM-MINI
Mount: Sky Watcher EQM-35i
Control: ASIAIR Plus
DeanD wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 5:36 am
I just got back from a trip to the Flinders' ranges in South Oz: my favourite part of the world!
It was an Astro Camp: the skies are "Bortle 1", with SQM readings down to 22.1 on a good night. Not this time though, as the upcoming solarmax has meant the dark skies are a bit brighter than usual.
Here are a couple of non-astro pics from the trip...
One of the locals: a Wedge-tailed eagle. It is a very dark colour which would indicate it is quite a few years old
Wedgie1.jpeg
Wedgie2.jpeg
Some more locals: a flock of Corellas (a medium sized cockatoo). Some of them are carrying pieces of "paddy-melon"; a pest species that grows along the side of the road.
Corellas1.jpeg
The entrance to Brachina Gorge, one of my favourite picnic spots:
Brachina Gorge 1.jpeg
...and, turning around, another local: a yellow-footed rock wallaby:
Rock Wallaby 1.jpeg
and finally, some 640M year old stromatolites in Parachilna Gorge. These are identical to the ones still being formed today on the mid-northwest coast of Western Australia!
Stromatolites1.jpeg
Beautiful nature and Bortle 1 sky this is a dream come true trip! Thanks for sharing Dean.
Yep: I try to get up there at least twice a year, whether I need to or not: and have been fortunate to have done so since 1996!
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
We had another early start today, leaving home by car at 6.30am to visit Anderwood Inclosure near Burley.
We wanted to be out early as it is a Bank Holiday weekend and the area can get quite busy.
It was sunny and dry but quite fresh.
This is the start of the path from the car park...
A lot of Foxgloves are appearing now...
It had been quite damp overnight and the spiders have been busy building their webs over all the bushes and grass...
There are a lot of Southern Ant nests here. This one is particularly large. It is about 15 feet away from the footpath, and is about 5 to 6 feet tall as it is wide...
We stayed for about 1½ hours before returning home.
"I am more than a sum of molecules.
I am more than a sum of memories or events.
I do not one day suddenly cease to be.
I am, before memory.
I am, before event.
I am"
John Donne wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2023 10:25 pm
Nesting Pileated Woodpecker in our yard.
It took them about three weeks to make this nest in a dead Red Oak.
Captured with Nikon D810 mounted on my F9 Evostar 100.
Pileated Net.jpg
They must be keen to hollow out a nest in dead wood: I would think it would be much harder than a living tree. Very cool to have Woody Woodpecker in your backyard though! (Does reference to him date me? )
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
I posted an image of the "blood lillies" at my grandson's local park a while back: all flower and no leaves. Now the flowers have dies off, and the leaves have appeared, so here are the "before" and "after" images:
Before:
After:
These big fleshy leaves die off completely during the summer, leaving bare ground until the flowers emerge.
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
"I am more than a sum of molecules.
I am more than a sum of memories or events.
I do not one day suddenly cease to be.
I am, before memory.
I am, before event.
I am"
John Donne wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2023 10:25 pm
Nesting Pileated Woodpecker in our yard.
It took them about three weeks to make this nest in a dead Red Oak.
Captured with Nikon D810 mounted on my F9 Evostar 100.
Pileated Net.jpg
They must be keen to hollow out a nest in dead wood: I would think it would be much harder than a living tree. Very cool to have Woody Woodpecker in your backyard though! (Does reference to him date me? )
They work like crazy to build the nest.
She is sitting on eggs now. They should hatch in a week or so. I think...
Date you ?
Of course not.
Everyone who studies world history should know "Woody"!
My wife and I are thinking of a name for her and Bonnie says "Whilhemina" and "Woody".
I think we should give this pair a new set of names.
"I am more than a sum of molecules.
I am more than a sum of memories or events.
I do not one day suddenly cease to be.
I am, before memory.
I am, before event.
I am"
