What a pleasant way to procrastinate before I sat down to do some work on the computer! Many thanks, many of your photos have that 'something' that made me want to look further.

By the way, how did my cat get all the way up to Accrington? Spitting image!

david baily eat your heart out! - nice pics - enjoyed it - maybe your in the wrong job lol (whats the camera steve?) jo o/

That is exactly what the missus says to me, well at least some sort of quip about myself and that well known photographer!! The camera is a Konika-Minolta Dimage Z3 and it is one of the best camera`s on the market if you take the time to learn all the functions it has available. Really glad you two enjoyed the slideshow its just a shame no-one else has taken the time to view and comment. I feel as though I have been thrown out of a private party because I have been away for some time.

Love and Peace
Steve

Welcome back to the party steve, just no one else has turned up yet lol been a bit quiet for a week or so, people are out in the ponds and gardens and to knackerd to come in here.

Have I missed the party??? Actually I did go and look before anyone commented, but it is as Alan said. I was to tired to comment. I just looked, enjoyed and thought I'll type up tomorrow and promptly fell asleep and forgot all about it. When I just saw it at the top of my list I suddenly thought oh yes I meant to comment.
Anyway my comments are "very nice Steve and good to hear you back"
Alison

well my little comment really wasn't good enough was it. I am sure you deserve more than that. lol. Anyway I have been back for another look because I really loved your black and white photos. We used to develop and print our black and white ones and eventually did colour. Then my son took all the photographic equipment to his house so we don't develop any now. Another one I really liked was the waterfall. We have lots of pics of waterfalls which I love and we are actually printing and giving them as framed pictures for christmas presents this year. Of course the ducks were really nice and the insect on the flower and I suppose I could go on and on because they were all really really good. They were very sharp and well worth the second and maybe a third and fourth visit.
Alison

I really enjoyed your pictures Steve (I swear that's where I ended up that time you gave a link to a pond pic!!!). Not sure whether you're interested, but there's a good little forum dedicated to photography and they have a brilliant 'critique' area. Anyway... their ideas are inspiring (I think I only ever plucked up the courage to post one photo over there). Here's the link if you want to check it out:

Here is a link that might be useful: Photography

isnt it strange that sometimes a black and white image somehow has more??? errr ouumphh! than a colour one? especially architecture and people?? love the colour shot of the wind blasted tree sunset! jo o/

Thank you for all the nice comments you have left me. I would post some pics in the gallery here if it was possible to reduce the size of file without losing the quality of the picture. I wish I could show you all how the garden looks now, less than one year on as I`m sure most of you will remember how it all started last June. The ponds are really prospering and most of my fish have survived the winter, although I did lose four about a month ago (replaced with 2 koi and 2 goldfish at 4"). The first pond was left empty over the winter and all the fish transported to the top pond as I was unsure as to whether the fish would survive the cold in the smaller pond. To my surprise when I was putting some new plants in the pond, I found a solitary Shubumpkin that had over wintered without a problem (he is now in the top pond with all his mates!!). The small pond is now transforming as a nature pond with various aquatic plants and marginals and 19 minnows living happily in it, not that I ever see them though (the fish that is). I have many herbs growing in the garden and lots of alpines and annuals just sparking back to life, as is the Elderberry that had a drastic "hair-cut" thanks to Ferret man, I`m sure you all remember his threats to cut it down and the problems I had with the tosser. I`ve been putting plenty of miracle grow on and around the tree roots not to mention a few spells for a bit more Pzazz, so I`m sure he will notice that the Witch`s Tree is a lot harder than his saw and will keep on coming back for more. Failing that I shall introduce him to my stout staff then shortly afterwards to the foundations of the new patio I hadnt planned on building ;).

Love and Peace

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: Photo of Garden taken today.

lol steve i remember the probs and how you sorted em! reduce the quality and post i mean? we aint all got slr's bathe-it daily can ocaisonaly have a day off? post!!!!
ps use koivista - its free and easy to navigate? just a hint? btw you feeling more welcome now? hope so jo o/

I most certainly am. Just get a tad paranoid sometimes as I am the new boy to ponding and there is such a wealth of experience on here not to mention skill. I`ve just been looking at Alison`s new website. Gobsmacked, what amazing beauty that garden and pond has.

Steve

alsons garden is a picture but so ir yours! dont be paranoid were all maytes here and all here to help! as can you o/ jo