Total Lunar Eclipse Coincides With Winter Solstice

This is a coincidence that hasn't happened for almost 400 years, and it won't happen again until almost 100 years from now.

I'm afraid my photo skills were stretched to their limit in the dark at around minus 10. Using a remote, a torch, eyes streaming, glasses on and off, tripod wobbling, hands freezing, steaming up the view finder etc. etc.

Notice what I think must be an aeroplane top left?

Link to the Spinny Thing

Click on this for the link to the spinny thing, then spin it with your mouse.

I did this project as a test run for products photography for Paul's web site company.
It involves taking 18 images under identical circumstances with the item rotated 20 degrees per shot. The item has to be placed on a perfectly central axis on a calibrated turntable. I batch processed the images and kept the crop identical too. Manual focus f32, Tamron 90ml Macro f2.8, manual exposure using 2 lights with umbrellas.

Spinny Thing

Research and Development Group Inaugural Meeting Sat 11th Dec

Minutes of the Meeting:

Present:
Philippidees Wheatcroft
Paul Simpson
James Woodings
Steven Bright
Susan Billings
Robert Billings
Saffy Sue Simpson
Michael the Chauffeur (special thanks)
Ruthless Hill
Susan Lazy
Ecca

Apologies:
Blueboy Simpson (just doesn't like photos)

Minutes of the Previous Meeting were agreed easily as there weren't any.

Matters Arising:
We all gave ourselves a big pat on the back for the extraordinary quality of the collected images.
After consumption of large amounts of muscle relaxaning, inhibition lifting diuretics the meeting concluded at 1.00am the next day.

Action Points:
Maybe we should eat first next time?

Events 2011:
Maybe a Bird of Prey trip? Rosliston? I'll do some research.
Calke Revisted?
Any other suggestions?

Spotted this Morning

Not sure what he is. Maybe Goshawk?
Apparently a female sparrowhawk.

Robin Competition the Gauntlet Is Laid Down

Celebration for the Christmas Lights in Measham