New camera

Just one more blog tonight, but a significant one: I was lucky enough to be given my very first digital SLR camera for Christmas (thank you sooooooooo much T-Bone!!!), a beautiful Nikon D3100.  It is just a dream to use, and it takes just amazing photos!  I have taken over 300 photos already, mostly experimenting with different settings, and here are some of my favourite shots.  I am soooo pleased with it, I am a very happy girl!!!  I just need to practice some more .........!

Sam - gay cat

Trying out the night settings - this is in my town Beastly Eastleigh

Trying out non flash indoors

Lovely piggies!!

Beautiful Wiltshire

On the farm

Dogwood, I do believe

Just loving this amazing camera!

Sunset

Fire

This is a photo of the recent fire which started in a small business premises next door - scary as it was only a few feet away from my home.  I think we counted 11 or so fire engines from all over Hampshire that arrived to help put the fire out.  It was a freezing cold night, but I got out with the children, as I was so worried about the fire spreading to the house.  Luckily for me no damage was done to my house this time, unlike 3 years ago when a similar fire caused quite a lot of cosmetic damage.    Felt really bad though as the business next door  has gone out of business as they weren't insured.  Apparently the fire started due to an electrical fault.

Snow Scenes

Winter 2010 scenes

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 2011 is going to be a great year!

This is my first attempt at creating a photo collage with Picasa - I am busy creating some photos for a calendar, and this is the November photo - but I thought it would be rather apt for a New Year pic too.

Happy happy new year and thanks Dancin Fool for the Picasa link!!

Claire xxx

Gerty

Gerty - a beautiful gentle goat who touched our lives and gave so much for so little.  Rest in peace Gerty - you were loved so much and we are so sad that you have gone, but will never forget you.

Niki

Thought I'd post up this pencil drawing of my dog Niki I did when I was 16.  I discovered it again in my attic.  It's slightly damaged (probably from the water leak again)

Anywhere here it is: