Sunny silhouette

Sunny silhouette, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Probably not the most sensible thing to do, looking down your lens in to the sun, but I think it produces interesting effects. This one taken high up in the Forest.

Plump Hill

Plump Hill, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Near the Wilderness Centre at the top of Plump Hill.

Barn

Barn, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Near the Wilderness Centre at the top of Plump Hill, Forest of Dean

Duckling

Duckling, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Taken on Newent Lake

Newent Lake

Newent Lake, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This end of the lake is a designated non-fishing area. The fish seemed to have wised up to this, as it was literally teeming with them here.

Newent Lake

Newent Lake, originally uploaded by Ben909.

It was pretty busy here today. This was taken from the only jetty that wasn't occupied by someone fishing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/panoramas/newent_360.shtml

Geese

Geese, Forest of Dean, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Nesting on the overflow in Speech House Lake.

Speech House Lake

Speech House Lake, Forest of Dean, originally uploaded by Ben909.

There were loads of dragonfly about when I took this. There's some very large nesting boxes on an island but I don't know what they're intended for.

Cyril Hart Arboretum

Cyril Hart Arboretum, Forest of Dean, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This was shot in the Cyril Hart Arboretum in the Forest of Dean. The shapes around the base of the central tree are part of a large sculpture made by a group of visually impaired people.

Planet Parkend

Planet Parkend, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Modified from a photo previously uploaded to this site.

Planet Yat

Planet Yat, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Taken from the viewpoint at Symonds Yat a few months back.

Flaxley Church

Flaxley Church, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Flaxley was once a major industrial centre. The Forest of Dean was an important medieval ironworking region, and the earliest forge in Flaxley is recorded in the 12th century. The Westbury brook was the site of five water mills, and at Guns Mill by Flaxley was one the main gun foundries of the English Civil War era.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaxley

Flattened Crops

Flattened Crops, originally uploaded by Ben909.

A quick snap taken from the car near Littledean.

Fox

Fox, Forest of Dean, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This one caught me unawares, hence the dodgy focus. This was taken at about 3pm on a scorching afternoon, so I assume the fox was either very hungry or just enjoying the hot weather. Only time for the one shot of this one.

Californian Redwoods

Californian Redwoods, Forest of Dean, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Taken at the Cyril Hart Arboretum.

Firefly

Firefly, Forest of Dean, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This photo doesn't do justice to this impressive little insect. It was taken with a flash in almost full darkness. In the dark, the back end of it glowed like a bright green LED. Now, if only I could find a swarm of them that were prepared to put on a show for a long exposure :)

Lampyridae is a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Fireflies are capable of producing a "cold light", containing no ultraviolet or infrared rays. This chemically-produced light, emitted from the lower abdomen, may be yellow, green, or pale red in color, and has a wavelength from 510 to 670 nanometers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampyridae