🇬🇧 This and that

Sometimes you just hit a bit of a slump when it comes to photography.

It’s too hot in summer, everything’s far too dry, and autumn probably won’t be much better either. The mushrooms aren’t daring to emerge from the ground because of the dryness, and most of the foliage on the trees has already withered and is hanging brown from the branches or lying on the ground. The early mists typical of late summer have largely failed to appear, and many animals are slowly heading south or have retreated. I’m gradually running out of subjects and photographic themes.

But what has actually happened over the last few weeks? Is this all just whingeing from a position of privilege? Is it really the case that dust has gathered on my camera and the memory card has remained empty?

Of course not!

Because one thing’s for sure, despite all the whingeing: ‘There’s always something you can do!’

So I’ve just put together a few random photos for you, showing the results of the last few weeks. And lo and behold, I’ve managed to put a bit of something together after all...

Praying mantises are clearly benefiting from the drought – they are becoming increasingly widespread in our region.

But wasp spiders were also spotted in various places this year. Although they are quite large and colourful, you really have to look very closely to spot them.

I was also lucky enough to come across this one this summer: a young grass snake.

And if you can’t find anything better, you’ll just have to make do with the ‘weeds’.

Or sometimes you even try your hand at double exposure experiments to create a mystical image.

Even chance encounters along the way can sometimes make a photographer’s day.

At some point, the first mushrooms did finally appear – even if they were only very, very small.