The Last Of Last Years Oriental Plane Leaves

We have a lovely tree just outside our gate called an Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis), the species name comes from Balkan history where it was recognised in ancient Greek history and literature.  The tree has lovely spikey fruits and large, five fingered leaves, last seasons last leaf was cleared away yesterday.

 All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd - Shutter Speed 1/465 sec - Normal Program Mode - f/4.4 - ISO 200 - Focal Length 18.2 mm.

The leaves and bark have been used medically.  The twigs and roots have been used in fabric dye.  The timber called Lacewood is regarded as a valuable hardwood for indoor furniture.

All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1/500 sec - Aperture Priority Mode - f/29 - ISO 1600 - Focal Length 35mm.

The Honey Bees Were A Buzzing Yesterday

There are several evergreen shrubs on our site called Viburnum Tinus, which are loaded with masses of delicate tiny white to light pink flowers which the honey bees were going crazy over yesterday in the warm spring sunshine.  There little legs were weighed down with pollen to take back to the hives.  We are very lucky to still have many beehives here in Turkey which are still thriving.

All Images Copyright 2999-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/1024 - Action Program Mode - f/8 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 55mm.

All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/790 sec - Action Program Mode - f/8 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 55mm.

 All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/1024 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 55mm.

All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/1328 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 55mm.

Not The Cutest Visitor We Have Had!

European (Mediterranean) Cat Snake.  The snake is venomous but is not considered a threat to humans as it's fangs are in the rear of its mouth so is not able to deliver the venom to a human (unless of course you stick your finger in the back of its mouth).  They feed on geckos and small lizards and use their venom to kill these small creatures.  This little fellow was hiding in our garden today.  He was about as thick as my little finger, with quite a large head for the thickness of his body and distinctive dark brown markings.

 All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/128 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 200 - Focal Length 55mm.

Once he started to get aggravated at being disturbed and started to move we got to see just how long he was, which was about 1/2 meter.  I was also amazed at how loud his hiss was.

 All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/166 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 200 - Focal Length 55mm.

Ian armed with bucket and stick, not expecting to be snake catcher today.

One snake safely captured in bucket and now re located at bottom of valley.

All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/1024 - Portrait Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 55mm.

Sea Shells On The Seashore

A selection of my collection of seashells found along the Aegean Coast of Turkey.

Unknown.  This unusual shell is about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide at the widest point.  I have yet to find out what it is, anybody have any suggestions?

 All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/64 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 55mm.

All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/64 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 55mm.

A Tun Shell.  These shells are very strong considering how light and thin they are.  They snail that lives in them is actually larger than the shell itself.  The name Tun Shell means cask shell or wine jar.  This one is just slightly smaller than a tennis ball.

All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/64 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 55mm.

Starfish, ok not technically a sea shell but none the less an interesting addition to the collection and yes unfortunately it was dead.

 All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/64 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 55mm.

All of the above shells and starfish had been washed up after a particularly stormy night and were much larger than the shells I normally find along this stretch of coastline.

Lilac Sea Urchin.  This is a very small example of the Sea Urchin, only about the size of a large marble, but they are so pretty with their colourings and texture.

 All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/64 sec - Macro Mode - f/5.6 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 54mm.

 All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - Shutter Speed 1/64 sec - Macro Mode - f/5 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 40mm.

Turnip Sea Shell.  It is about the size of a golf ball and the shell is very thick.

All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1.0 sec - Aperture Priority Mode - f/18 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 55mm.

Horse and Cart

If the hustle and bustle of the streets of Izmir, Turkey is all too much, hop on a horse and cart for a laid back tour around the streets.

All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1/160 sec - Normal Program Mode - f/9 - ISO 200 - Focal Length 28mm.

'Now what is she looking at?'

All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1/160 sec - Normal Program Mode - f/8 - ISO 200 - Focal length 28mm.

'I would rather be over there paired up with him!!'

All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1/200 sec - Normal Program Mode - f/9 - ISO 200 - Focal Length 59mm.

'Yummy oats for lunch, what have you got?'

All Images Copyright 2000-2011 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1/250 sec - Normal Program Mode - f/11 - ISO 200 - Focal Length 42mm.

Sun Deck Framed Snow Capped Mountains

This image caught my eye with the contrasts of the sun deck on the beach, framing the distant snow capped mountains.  Not a sight you see too often here on the Aegean Coast of Turkey.

All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D  - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec - Manual Mode - f/4 - ISO 400 - Focal Length 46mm.

Ray Of Light

Another one of the lovely sunsets over Pigeon Island, just off the coast of Kuşadası on the Aegean coast of Turkey.  It is one of those scenes that you can never get tired of as the lighting and cloud formations make each sunset a work of art.

All Images Copyright 2000-2012 Janice Parr

This photo was taken using the Canon EOS 1000D - in RAW - Shutter Speed 1/200 sec - Aperture Priority Mode - f/6.3 - ISO 200 - Focal Length 59mm.