Blue Darner (Blaugrüne Mosaikjungfer)

I went for a walk two days ago just for exercise, without my camera - and there were hundreds of dragonflies in the national park. Yesterday I went with my camera: none at noon, at just a few later in the day. But by being patient, I caught this one in flight (along with several useless shots, of course). Update; I just noticed that the EXIF data disappeared somewhere. 1/1000th, F5.6, ISO 1000, looking south-east at 3:30 pm, i.e. the dragonfly was flying more-or-less south. I stood in one spot on the shore watching this one make big circles around it's territory and come back and hover.

Winter Jogger 2012-01-27 On her way through the Danube Park in Vienna's 22nd district.

Floating 2011-11-08 Nature produces lots of leaves - why shouldn't I take yet another leaf picture? This shot, with one floating leaf lit by the low sun, is a study in contrasts. I tried increasing the contrast (which made the water darker and in general played around with the light and contrast. But this version, almost the original, still seems the best to me. Thanks for the comments on my leafy cobbled steps in the park.

Underway 2011-09-21 As seen while cruising the Danube River. This poor monkey ball is floating towards the Black Sea - a long long way. Thanks for the comments on my collage - much appreciated.

Spires 2011-09-12 Looking slightly south of east with the sun behind Vienna's first mosque, dedicated in 1979 with a 32m high minaret. Behind it is the "Danube Tower", with an observation deck and restaurant 152m above ground. Yesterday's shot of stairs didn't meet with much approval (or with some hearty disapproval by a few). Oh well. Another day, another shot.

Lock 2011-08-10 The cathedral in Aachen (Aix le Chapelle) has several holy relics. These are kept locked away on shown only during the pilgrimage that takes place once every seven years. The case is locked with an ornate lock that is not unlocked but broken and replaced at each pilgrimage. This is one of those locks, displayed in the Treasury. The case has a mirror so you can see the back side as well. This shot is definitely not SOOC. Slightly rotated and the color balance adjusted, but most of the work was removing the dust. Thanks for yesterday's comments. Yes, the exposure was tricky on yesterday's shot - but the main problem was to find a shooting location where the overhead lights did not reflect off the gold.

Summer at the Seaside - cabins in England. Today has turned cool and grey again. So for a spot of colour, here is the scene at Whitstable, UK.

The mathematical bridge This bridge over the Cam was designed over two centuries ago out of straight pieces of wood - either tangential or radial, resulting in a self-supporting structure. That's a bit of Queen's College on the right, and a punter taking two tourists for a ride.

Sheep shall safely graze 2011-07-24 I thought that a suitable title for today's picture. This shot was taken on one of my early morning walks along the canal tow path. We moored up 'wild' half the time (i.e. in rural areas, driving stakes for mooring pins), and I would get up early and take my camera for a walk. I'm not sure where this shot was taken - somewhere along the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal. And many thanks for the comments on yesterday's dragonfly shot. You made it a 'front page' picture.

Why? 2011-06-06 This series is beginning to depress me, so this will be the last shot that I post to the dailies. For hardier souls, the entire series is available in my Vienna gallery, or just under http://www.jerrybarton.eu/keyword/cemetery. Many thanks for the wonderful comments on my shot of the wild cat.

What are you looking at? 2011-04-07 A flamingo at the zoo in Vienna has a drippy nose. Many thanks for the comments on my snake and turtle pictures!

Early Morning 2011-03-25 Short-billed Dowitscher, I think. Wading the flats of Tampa Bay just after dawn.

Blind Pass Beach at Sunset 2011-03-22 Hula hoop into the evening. Thanks for the comments on my osprey shots.

Standing Firm 2011-03-17 A Roseate Spoonbill getting ready to sleep. I ws beginning to think these were mythical, People would say 'oh, there are a lot of them just over there' and I'd walk/drive/paddle to the spot and they wouldn't be there. Finally I found them. I'm off tomorrow morning (at 5 am) to spend some time with a professional wildlife photographer.

Bad Hair Day at the Beach 2011-03-14 A snowy egret not letting himself be upset by a little wind. Boca Grande, Florida

American Kestrel 2011-03-10 As seen in Lemon Bay Park in Englewood, Florida And thanks for the comments on my flower. It is useful to have feedback on how other people see the colors. Enjoy the day.

Some kind of sea anemone 2011-02-12 I think that this is my favorite shot from the Vienna aquarium "Haus des Meeres". The whole thing was over a meter long, shaped like a giant clam. I may go back, just to find out the name (it is cold and rainy outside). Enjoy your Saturday

Browning's Pool 2010-11-13 Named after the English poet Robert Browning (who called this area Little Venice), this calm spot in London is the junction of the Grand Union canal and the Regents canal. It was a beautiful day for walking along the canal while my spouse was at a convention. Wonderful comments on yesterday's baby elephant. Thanks so much!

Here's looking at you, kid. 2010-08-22 Face to face with a Blacktail Prairie Dog in the Schönbrunn Zoo here in Vienna. This guy wasn't impressed by people - even ones with big lenses. He reacted to every moped sound. Perhaps it was near feeding time.

The Black Rose 2010-08-06: This is a rose bush in our garden. I started with B&W and worked for a bit and ended up with this. Then I couldn't decide what to call it. "Death and Rebirth", "Generations", "Remembrance", and finally decided to leave the title area on the picture blank. At any rate, I hope you enjoy it. Many thanks for your kind comments on yesterday's pasture picture. Walking through this nature park is always relaxing (well maybe not today, it is raining heavily). Have a nice day.

Castle Ruin 2010-07-31 The Kamp river valley is about an hour west of Vienna. In its flatter areas great wines are produced. In a steep part of its course is the small town of Gars. There has been a castle there since before 1100. It is now a ruin, of course, and owned by the town. The central courtyard is used in summer for opera productions. This one segment of the wall impressed me as stark - especially with the gathering clouds. As we went back to the car, lightning and rain started. Your comments on my amethyst picture yesterday were generous and appreciated. Thanks!

Herrengasse in downtown Vienna A friend asked me to take some "tourist pictures" of Vienna - so this is one. On the left, the Albertina, Church of St. Augustine (Court Church), a wing of the Imperial Palace and at the back a bit of the Spanish Riding School. "Photo of the Week" July 21st 2010

Singing in the rain It is always rainy underneath the spray of one of the fountains in the baroque gardens at Schlosshof

Edible Blossoms OK, I know I'm not allowed to eat them, but they are very pretty. The seasonal confectionery by Michael Diewald, who collects herbs, blossoms, spices and fruits to hand create sweet sensations. http://www.bluehendes-konfekt.com Seen in Vienna, Austria at the Genussfestival