Flash Photography, Deer Tracks and Getting Back to the Guitar

This week has actually been a pretty good week.

I've been doing a lot more with the speedlight, working out what it can do, when to use it and, more importantly, how to get the best from it. It's turned up some great results, and it always amazes me how you can know what something does, but when you actually start playing around with the settings, you suddenly find yourself saying, “Oh wow!” or “That's cool!” 😂

Then, of course, you start wondering why you didn't try it before.

We've also had a couple of cooler days, which has been great for finding bugs. They seem to be a little more lethargic when it's cooler and make much better subjects because, thankfully, they keep still for a bit! 😂

Yesterday, Saturday, I went for a walk to see if I could spot any young deer in an area I used to visit regularly. It was late afternoon, and sadly, I didn't have the pleasure of seeing any.

What really surprised me was realising that we're almost at the end of August. Where has this year gone? Time has just run away. It's crazy to think there are only around 17 Sundays until Christmas! 🎄

I think around this time last year I was starting to put my trail cameras out and following Patch the deer and some of his friends. I'm not going to put cameras up this year. After having the others taken, I'm just not prepared to risk it again.

It's a shame because I would really like to know if Patch is still around.

While I was out walking yesterday, I had a look at some of the tracks the deer were using last year. There was only one that looked active. I don't know whether that means they aren't around anymore or whether they've simply moved to a different area. Deer do that at different times of the year, so it could be nothing to worry about.

There has also been quite a bit of work done locally. Trees have been cut down and the area has been opened up, so that could be another reason they're not using their usual tracks. They may simply feel too exposed now.

I'm going to keep having a walk down there and keep looking. Fingers crossed they're still around somewhere.

The fox is still about too. I've spotted it, and I keep getting the smell of it around the area, so it's obviously busy scent-marking. It's nice to know it's still there and hasn't been trapped or shot.

Sadly, there seems to be a big thing around here about killing foxes, which I find very, very sad.

On a completely different note, I've made the decision to start playing the guitar again.

I've combined a bit of playing with some of my photographs to make a few TikTok videos. Now, I have to warn you... the playing is ropey! 😂 I honestly can't believe how bad it is at the moment.

But there is a positive side to it.

My nephew Aaron saw one of the videos and wanted to do a duet with me and add some vocals. So that's exactly what he did. Then he decided it might be fun to turn it into a little series of songs, so he's now started picking songs for us to play.

And you know what? It's been great.

It's given me something to really get stuck into and a reason to start practising properly again.

The second song was Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and then Aaron decided he wanted to do Wonderwall by Oasis.

I also had a bit of a jam session with my daughter Beccy — you might know her as The Microsteader on TikTok, if you want to check her out.

We recorded Wonderwall, and we're hoping to get that uploaded to TikTok later so Aaron can add his vocals.

You can check them all out on my TikTok if you want.

Just don't expect too much... yet! 😂

But it's got me thinking. My nephew Aaron sings, his dad Rick — my brother — sings and plays drums, and my daughter Beccy sings and plays drums too.

So, between us all, who knows? Maybe we could get together, put a little acoustic group together and just start jamming and having some fun.

No pressure. No big plans.

Just family, music and a bit of fun.

And really, that's where I'm at at the moment. Playing with the speedlight, photographing bugs, wandering around looking for deer, hoping Patch is still out there somewhere... and picking up the guitar again.

It's funny where life takes you sometimes.

Anyway, if you're taking the time out of your busy Sunday morning to read this, thank you, as always.

And don't forget to check out the songs on TikTok if you fancy having a listen. I can't promise perfect guitar playing, but I can promise we're having fun! 😂

Thank you, everyone, for your ongoing support with all my little projects.

It genuinely means the world to me.

See you soon.

Bob