Photography (1)

[Stuart H]

Nice photo Dave

I have ordered a Sigma 50-500 telephoto zoom today whch should come by the end of next week. I am looking forward to doing some astronomical shots! See you at Cadogan Hall - I wont need that lens there as I'm in the front row (unless we want shots of nasal hair!!!! )

Stuart.

[Steve H]

Hi Dave,

I thought I would have a go!

This was taken 9.30PM Suffolk UK on a Minolta 5D with 100-300 Minolta Zoom with a 2X converter, F11 at 1/2500th Sec exposure (Manual)

Looks like the same Moon

Steve H

[Stuart H]

...There's a lovely moon out there - so I joined the club and snapped it. This was taken 10 minutes ago using a Sony DSC H2 with 2x converter attached to the 36-432mm lens thus giving 864mm at 1/800th second at ISO 200.

Stuart

[Andrew]

Hi All,

As today was a such a beautiful sunny day in the Scottish Borders, I attended the "Royal Burgh of Peebles Highland Games Association" Event in Haylodge Park. Competitions are held and awards are presented annually for the best pipe band performance, best Highland dancing and for the winners of games such as putting the shot and tossing the caber. I really enjoyed being out in the sunshine today . Lots of fun was had by all! Here are a few photos. There will be some more to follow too.

Regards,

Andrew

[kmsmith8]

To everyone that has posted a picture of the moon -- keep the great pictures coming.

Andrew,

I like the Scotland pictures. It is interesting to get a glimpse of the culture over there.

Katie

[Joe]

Hi Andrew...

Thanks for sharing the pics of the highland games in Peebles. It was certainly a lovely day for it. It is wonderful to see the younger generation keen on competing.

Joe

[postscript]

Oh Andrew. The skirl of the Scottish pipes and Scottish lassies dancing!

I have made a note in my diary to check next year's dates and perhaps tie it in with a holiday. I should have enjoyed joining you.

With all due respect to others, and there are the Irish, Greek and English pipes, although more accurately 'Northumbrian' pipes, as there is nothing quite like a Welsh choir there is nothing quite like the skirl of the Scottish bagpipes. In my view the pipes are best heard massed rather than, other than for a specific moment, solo.

Peter S. Englishman!

[Andrew]

Dear All,

Here are some more photos from the "Royal Burgh of Peebles Highland Games Association" Event in Haylodge Park, which I attended yesterday.

Tossing the caber

This is undoubtably one of the most spectacular and popular events of the Gatherings. It became a sporting event as far back as the 16th century. It’s origins are believed to go back to the crofters. When transporting newly felled tree trunks cabers, back to the croft, if a fast flowing stream had to be crossed, the cabers were tossed so that they would turn end over end. With one end landing in the middle of the stream, the other end would continue to travel forward and fall on the opposite river bank, where it was dragged ashore.

BTW... for the benefit of anyone who may be worried... Those are not real calves in the background of the pictures!

Throwing the 56lb weight/ hammer for height

This originated with the standard weights used for weighing farm produce. Farm hands would try to throw the weight into the hay loft. At gatherings the weight is thrown over a bar between two uprights, similar to system set up for pole vaulting.

Regards,

Andrew

[Andrew]

Hi All,

There were a few sporrans for sale at one of the stalls at the Highland Games Event yesterday. The black and white one on the front left of the picture was actually made from goat hair. The sporran to the right of this is very unusual indeed. I've never seen anybody wear a sporran made from a fox like this one before. Personally I don't like it! It would probably only be worn by eccentric farmers!

Here are some of the glittering cups and trophies which were presented to winning competitors.

Regards,

Andrew

[Caitlin]

Hi Steve and Stuart!

Your moon photos are fantastic! Funny, it looks like the moon here across the pond.

Andrew,
How funny! I went to a Highland Fling weekend this past weekend too. Your pictures are great! Tossing the caber or the 56lb weight I can hardly imagine. Thanks for these lovely photos!

<3 Caite

[Caitlin]

Hi! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Like Andrew (who had great photos...see above if you haven't seen them already) I went to a Highland Games event this weekend. Only I was in Minnesota, not Scotland! The event took place at the Renaissance Festival, where I was last weekend in the rain. It wasn't raining this time, but it was chilly: only 52F.

When my friend Kirsten and I first arrived we decided to watch the royal court dance. I was choosen by the Prince to dance with him and other members of the royal court. Pictures and video (thanks to Kirsten) are below.





www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qyPz6WKCQU

After dancing with the Prince, the King and two other members of the court (one of which was the caller and was quite loud!) Kirsten and I moved on to watch Scottish dancing. Pictures and video are below.





www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHAQyA6Nbio

more to follow...
<3 Caite

[Caitlin]

We just couldn't get enough (okay, I couldn't) of the bagpipes so when I heard this group of pipers I immediately went on over. After they finished a song I asked if one of them wouldn't mind playing 'Highland Cathedral' while I sang. They said they didn't mind in the least so I sang the lyrics I wrote to the song 'Highland Cathedral' while a piper played. Unforunately Kirsten wasn't around so she couldn't flim me! The last picture is me with the group of pipers after they finished performing. Kirsten caught most of us off-guard!






And finally, enjoy a part of a song by the pipe and drum band!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Esnc9RfPww

<3 Caite

[Richard]

Wow!!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Thanks for sharing all those great photographs, Caite and Andrew!

Caite, it was wonderful to see you dancing with the Prince, but next time I want to see you dancing with Andrew in a Scottish version of Swan Lake. You could call it Loch Ness!!!

Exit, stage left...

Richard

[postscript]

Well, Caite, so you love the skirl of the pipes too and also 'Highland Cathedral'. I was first introduced to 'Highland Cathedral' at the ceremony of our handing back Hong Kong. A very emotive piece of English pageantry for me. Apparently it is a favourite of Chris Patton, the last British Governor. He too heard it by chance, it was played by a piper during a regular morning piping and he wanted to know what it was. He asked for it to be played regularly, which is why they played it at the handing over ceremony. He too was caught up by the tune. I think it is lovely. Do you feel like sharing your creativity? You said you had written some words to it.

Peter S.

[Mark]

Hi Caite & Andrew

What fantastic pictures. Its funny to think that the same theme was being acted out in different parts of the world. You looked right at home with that prince Caite ! That must have been before it rained as you looked dry. I am looking forward to posting a few pics soon, I bet they won't be as good as those !

Best wishes
Mark.