I needed a change to my normal shooting environment of the Peak District, I fancied something a little more varied, so I went over the border into Nottinghamshire and visited Clumber Park. This is managed by the National Trust, has a large lake and is known for its wide variety of trees and wildlife.

The weather was delightlful, quite warm but overcast almost misty at times, these conditions are ideal for shooting pictures as the diffused light is much easier to work with. I was concentraiting my efforts on finding patterns and structures, I basically shot with one lens for most of the day, which was the 55-200mm zoom. I was also trying out my new battery grip on the Xt1, which felt perfect, and made shooting with the big zoom  a real joy.

Picture opportunities were around every corner, a true spring day. I hope you enjoy the images. All images taken with the Fuji Xt1 with 55-200mm  lens.

Clumber Park lake

A multitude of gulls over the lake.

Grebe searching out its next meal

A pair of displaing Greta Crested Grebes.

A bed of Bullrushes contrasts against the water.

Last years reeds lit perfectly by diffused light.

Spring is here, new leaf growth.

Twisted remains of a once beautiful pine.

Silver Birch curiously formed.

Remains of last years reeds.

A spider lays a trap.

Forlorn Bullrushes

Silver Birch reflections.

Getting out and shooting pictures, finding the light is where I am most comfortable. Somedays I go out and shoot nothing, and there have been many days like this over the winter. 

 So I look forward to those few hours when I can get out and leave everything else behind, I can whistle, I can shout, I can swear, I can laugh at myself, afterall there's no one else around to hear me.

Recent outing above Dovedale away from the crowds that wander upto the stepping stones. I was searching for a different view. I was not disappointed.

The weekend saw me shooting my first portrait session with the Xt1, the shoot was in a wee cottage with not a great deal of light. However the Fuji handled everything so well, focus was never an issue, not one out of focus picture. Even though the images are static, these two did not hang around constantly moving. Skin tones I find a little smoother than the X pro 1 renderings, but in the case of portraits thats no bad thing.

I like the way it renders. All the images were shot with the 18-55 zoom which is a fantastic performer. Many occasions last year saw me humping around my D3 as a backup to cover the X pro 1 when things got a little fast. I can honestly say that those days are gone, the Xt1 performs that well.

With thanks to Helen, Norman, Max and baby Isabelle.