Name: Pat English
Place: Wales
Profession: Newspaper journalist, designer and trainer
Interests past and present: Words, Design, Photography, Archaeology, Anthropology, Gardening, Nature, Science Fiction, Genealogy, Rugby Union…
Probable blog post subjects: Nature, Words, Design and Nostalgia…
I always thought I wanted to be a novelist, but instead I became a journalist and had all the imagination knocked out of me, so I dream no more of creative writing.
Although I am a newspaper journalist, please don’t expect me to be topical. Mainly this blog is an outpouring of everything I have collected in my life – books, images, jottings, memories and a love of nature.
Its main value has been to focus my mind on the world around me again – something that takes me back to my childhood – and maybe even some creativity once more.
The camera that accompanied me in my explorations until May 2014 was a compact Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom. See a review here
My Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom camera
I loved it because it was good for landscape shots, zooming in on distant birds and closing in on flowers and insects. It wasn’t a true macro and I couldn’t always guarantee the focus would come out just right, but at least I didn’t need to keep on switching lenses.
Then in May 2014 I started using a new compact camera, a Sony Cyber-shot HX50.
Sony Cyber-shot HX50
Read more about my first outings with the Sony camera on this blog post.
My Nikon D5000
From late 2010 I have also had a Digital SLR camera, a Nikon D5000, for which I immediately bought a macro lens (see this post) and by Christmas 2010 I also had a zoom lens for it.
My lightweight Nikon micro (macro) lens
I have had some success zooming in on garden birds and using the macro for flowers and insects, but as of mid 2011 I am still not happy that I am getting the best out of the lenses in terms of focus. Back to reading the instruction manual, I guess.
My Nikon 55mm-300mm zoom lens
I continue to use a compact camera for everyday out-and-about photography but most of the pictures taken in my own garden from late 2010 are Nikon pictures.
Carrying a camera and three lenses on a trip, plus my weighty handbag? Mmmmm…
Note: Thanks to Ron’s advice, I now have a Lowepro 190 top-loading camera bag for my DSLR. Looking good for “getting out more”…
This page has the following sub pages.
The Squirrelbasket 
Nice blog! I shall monitor more closely. đ
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my blog – although when I found six comments at once in my mailbox I thought I had been spammed! I do hope you aren’t spam – if you are, you’ve taken a lot of trouble! Best wishes.
Nooooo. Not spam! Just verbose. đ
Your blog knocks me out. I’ve tried to link it in a few places, so others can enjoy it, too.
Dear Pat – thank you for this lovely long post! A thoroughly enjoyable way to spend time with my coffee this morning. It is too easy to become engrossed with work, daily chores, etc. and you have inspired me to get more in touch with what is around me in nature here in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Best wishes to you!!
Oh I’m so glad to hear that. I was just thinking this afternoon that no one would actually read right through any of my blog posts as they are so long.
Thank you for taking the trouble to comment.
I guess you have plenty of red leaves in autumn there in Canada.
Hope you enjoy the fall.
Very best wishes…
Hmm… Interesting parallels – I, too, wanted to write but had no talent (still don’t – I couldn’t write fiction if my life depended on it), and I wanted to be a journalist, too, but was pathologically shy when I was young, and didn’t get past the interview with the local paper.
Still, third time pays for all, I suppose, and I think my blog makes up for it (on good days!).
Indeed, you certainly have a way with words!
đ
Aw, shucks . . .
Good Morning Pat,
I have enjoyed your site over the past few months since I discovered it. Your pictures are beautiful and you always seem to capture some very qualifyong aspects of the subject.I am sorry that I did not find your site earlier as I was looking to purchase a camera and ended up buying one, however yours appers to be even better..I have to switch lens ..ugh. Anyway just wanted to let you know my thoughts..Thanks for sharing your world with us..one of your fans..kjforce
Thank you for your kind words.
I am still finding my Olympus is the best all-round camera for everyday use. Even though I now have a Nikon digital SLR camera as well.
I have three lenses with the Nikon – ordinary, zoom and macro. And yes, it is a REAL pain having to swap all the time.
The new camera and lenses are very heavy, too, so I’m not sure if I will ever take them on a trip with me…
Best wishes
x
Hi Pat and kjforce,
If it’s image quality you’re after, it’s very hard to beat a d-SLR, and the convenience of interchangeable lenses. (Actually, for absolute quality it’s hard to beat a 35mm SLR and transparency film – but that’s an argument for another day!)
The problem is, these days, that photographers invariably start out with compacts, weighing 4-5oz, so when they graduate to a d-SLR they perceive them as heavy, but really they’re not.
Heavy is a 35mm SLR outfit – 2 to 3 times the weight of a d-SLR outfit, because the former is very likely to be a plastic-free zone, being mostly fabricated in brass and glass (lens elements). Even so, in the seventies I happily took a 35mm SLR outfit (50mm and 135mm lenses – in those days affordable zoom lenses were a bit iffy), on backpacking trips simply for the quality of the resulting images (did my own processing, too, in those days, shooting on Agfa 50ASA transparency film, mainly).
In a d-SLR outfit, about 75% of the weight is glass and a-f motors – and the battery, of course. And it’s the glass – the lens elements – that more than anything else governs image quality. You can have all the megapixels you like, they won’t compensate for a mediocre lens.
Weight, of course, can be a positive advantage, producing a steadier image as it helps damp out any camera shake, especially if it’s windy. And NEVER use the LCD screen as a viewfinder – hold it properly, use the viewfinder, and you’ll find you hardly notice the weight.
And yes, interchangeable lenses really are a massive convenience and a snip to change – and the right choice of camera bag matters here (never carry lenses in your pocket or in a handbag!).
Bayonet-fitting lenses can be swapped out in seconds, with practice, and every time you use the nifty bayonet-fitting, be thankful that the M42 screw-fitting has been consigned to history!
The best way to learn how to use a d-SLR is to buy a book based on 35mm SLRs. This will concentrate on the fundamentals of composition, exposure, focus, and zoom, without distracting you with all the digital whiz-bangery within the camera, very little of which is vital to taking good photographs (there is a tendency to shove loads of post-processing functions into the camera, but these are always better carried out on a computer).
Remember, no matter how expensive and technical your camera is, it still depends on you knowing what you’re doing – that’s why you see so many complaints about digital cameras online – clueless users. Don’t be one of them. (Not you Pat!)
Ron.
You forget one thing, Ron!
I’d be OK if all I had to lug about were a camera and three lenses, but I’m a woman and therefore have to carry a huge handbag on my travels as well…
Have a good Sunday!
x
While searching for info on leaf nail galls I photographed I came across your site. I too take many photos of flowers, insects, birds and nature in general. Yours is an interesting and lovely site which I intend to delve into as time permits.
Thank you for that. Do you have a site of your own?
Best wishes…
Heavy is a 35mm SLR outfit – 2 to 3 times the weight of a d-SLR outfit, because the former is very likely to be a plastic-free zone, being mostly fabricated in brass and glass (lens elements). Even so, in the seventies I happily took a 35mm SLR outfit (50mm and 135mm lenses – in those days affordable zoom lenses were a bit iffy), on backpacking trips simply for the quality of the resulting images (did my own processing, too, in those days, shooting on Agfa 50ASA transparency film, mainly).
+1
I think maybe I haven’t found the right bag yet! I’m working on it…
I started off with a heavy Fed4 non-SLR in the 1970s and graduated to a Ricoh 35mm SLR, for which I also had a second-hand fixed-focus 200mm lens, which made for beautifully sharp pictures when I could actually get it in the right position for the focus.
I also did my own processing in black & white when I was at university. Great fun but I never became a real expert.
Best wishes…
Actually, Pat, Guillema has posted a snippet from my post, +1 indicating agreement.
As for a bag, I find the LowePro TLZ, with an additional lens case strapped to it, very useful, easy to swap lenses, and reasonably comfy to carry. It holds the camera body with the 70-300mm zoom mounted, and the 17.5-45mm zoom in the lens case.
The old-style “gadget bag” where you can access all the contents simply by lifting the lid – is probably best for quick lens swaps. Warehouse Express have a good selection
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/shoulder-bags/b3019 and Tamrac have some nice examples of the type
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/shoulder-bags-tamrac/b3019-m244
Another reply to your “camera bag” comment, Ron – I have now bought a decent top-loading LowePro 190 bag and am very happy with it so far. It has room for everything and a bit of space for items I haven’t got yet!
Thanks for the advice…
Hello!
My daughter takes all the pictures in our house. I only take a dull old digital camera to the park on foggy or frosty mornings when walking the dog.
hang on, I’ll post some up to my facebook page.
What a lovely blog! I’ve subscribed to the RSS feed.
It overlaps with so many of my own enthusiasms – Long-tailed Tits are my favourite small birds, Dorset my favourite southern county,, I like flowers and nature generally. It is am inspiration to starting my own site or blog, but it will have to wait till I’m at least partially retired.
And I’ll need a decent DSLR to get close to the quality here – i just use phone or compact. I concentrate on video rather than stills.
I even share a particular dislike of large house spiders.
Hello Pat. I commented on Tintern Abby Stone. And now would like to say your blog is so interesting,the photo’s clear and crisp,encouraging me to do more photography. Today, your Stone diary: memories of flint captured me, as it is one of the things in archaeology I would have liked to study but I chose ancient pottery. I would like to link the Stone diary memories to my blog,how do I do this? If its o.k. with you of course.
Rita.
Thank you for your kind words – I just like to share my enthusiasms, really.
Not quite sure if you are just wanting to put a link on your blog to the stone diary post. But as long as you find a place to put it, you just embed a link to this: https://squirrelbasket.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/stone-diary-memories-of-flint/
Let me know if you get stuck!
And I would be very flattered if you did link in to it.
Best wishes
đ
Hello Pat, I think your blog is just wonderful. I have bookmarked it đ
I am currently trying to change career as a Software Engineer and morph into a freelance Instructional Designer, before I lose the will to live completely.
In an effort to obtain work I need to create a portfolio to demonstrate my skills. I am currently creating an e-learning piece about identifying fungi and came across your wonderful image of Candle Snuff fungi. This is my first project so I’ve a long way to go… đ
Please could I have your permission to use your image? My e-learning piece is not for resale, just for my portfolio, and I will credit you for the use of the photograph.
Thanking you In anticipation.
Kay
I’m afraid that’s not my own picture – although it is linked to the original, which you will find here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quimbaya/459561516/in/pool-botanypotd/
Hopefully you will have luck asking there.
Good luck for your project…
Hello Pat. I have a similar request regarding one of your images. Namely The penguin parents and their chick. You’ll find a more detailed request on your page but this seemed like a good thread to tag onto as you’ve already replied. Basically Iâd like to use an image in a greeting card and wondered if thereâs a charge and what the terms are if any. I am an independent by the way so donât produce cards but hope to sell them to producers. I hope you can help me.
Thanks in advance
Gerry
I’m afraid I can’t help you on that. Again it’s not my picture but just one of those you will find all over the internet without being attributed. I don’t know who the original photographer was. You may have more luck looking at a similar picture on Wikipedia, here.
Thank you đ
Thanks for your help x
I’d like to nominate you for the Sunshine Award in recognition of how much I enjoy your blog — especially the etymology entries! http://wp.me/pKuUa-1kJ
Thank you for that! But give me time to acknowledge it on my blog. It’s hard to find 10 more blogs that aren’t “award free”!
Happy Holiday – or as we say here, Merry Christmas!
Dear Pat do you know who painted The Frosty Sheep Christmas card from last year. I have just started my cards and reminder it with fondness. I think it is one of the best.
I so wish I did know! I keep all my cards for a year, so I just looked at this one again – and as I had thought, Cancer Research UK don’t say on the card who painted Fergus the Frosty Sheep.
It’s a shame, as it is indeed a lovely image and I would like to give credit where it’s due.
All the best đ
Thank you for your help. I have also contacted cancer research direct to see if they know the artist. If I find out I will let you know. Definitely one of the best charity card. đ
Yes, please do let me know đ
Had a reply from cancer research and their supplier of cards, don’t keep information of where they get the pictures from. So its a blank. Shame as I would love to have had it hanging on my wall. Thank you Pat. Regards Ruth
Sounds a bit sloppy! Surely it must be someone’s copyright?
Thanks for trying đ
Hello Pat, I have found you from Loose and Leafy, Thank you for taking over Tree Following. I also look forward to following squirrelbasket.
Excellent! I will be following you, too.
I see you are having a lot of rain there at the moment, just as we are here in wet Wales. There’s nothing better than pictures of raindrops on plants!
All the best đ
Hi Pat
I’m following a tree since a few months. IN january I changed blogsites. Could you enter the link to my new blog site in your own tree following list.
Name of website is still : t’ Groentje, de new URL is http://www.mijngroentje.nl
(in your tree following entry the old URL is http://www.members.home.nl; there you can find my blogs from 2005-2015)
Thanks
Tineke
OK, I have changed that now. Thank you đ
Dear Pat
Hello, I’m an archaeologist – I work on Mesolithic/Neolithic/Bronze Age material – I was recently working on a project with Cadw on Anglsey (http://cadw.gov.wales/about/news/public-archaeology-project-bryn-celli-ddu/?lang=en).
I’m emailing as I came across your photos of David Clarke and Glyn Daniel on your excellent blog. Photos of Clarke are really really rare. I was wondering if you might let me use your images – as really excellent evocative images – for a lecture I’m doing this weekend for the Royal Archaeological Institute (http://royalarchinst.org/conferences), for a section I’m doing on the importance of Clarke’s role in thinking about the Neolithic. I’d obviously acknowledge your copyright and only use it for the conference with your approval. I might be interested in publishing the paper too (depending on how it goes down…) so if you were willing to let me use it for the conference I might ask if I could use it in the publication (again with your written permission etc).
With best wishes & really like the segment on archaeology in Cambs at that time.
Seren
No problem. I will send you the best versions of the picture I can manage, by email, or if all else fails, feel free to copy anything from the blog as long as you mention me.
Best wishes đ
Can you help me identify what I think may be a weed found in a packet of tomato seeds? How do I attach an image?
Probably not, but I will give it a go or ask someone else on the internet if you’d like to email the picture to squirrelbasket@gmail.com…
What a wonderful blog! It looks like we have lots of interests in common, and I’m looking forward to reading more. Best regards Marion
Thank you – I am now following your excellent blog, too đ
Hi, I would really like to join in Tree following, but I cant work out how to do it. Can you help ?
Of course.
If you mean the technicalities, you just go to the monthly post here, click on the linkbox where it says “you’re next” and paste in the link to your blog post and a description.
The linkbox is open until 7pm tonight (Saturday April 14) but after that you will need to wait until 7am on May 7 for the next one.
If you mean how do you follow a tree, try this link: here.
Hope that helps…
Pat, I just chanced upon your blog today and find it most interesting. I was looking up moss, some I was trying to identify, and your blog came up with your older moss photos. I am an American, a university trained botanist though I have never earned my living using it. I have never lost my knowledge of and love for plants, particularly our wild woodland plants which I learned much of from my maternal grandmother. Your most recent photos of plants are quite good, and I enjoy seeing things from across the pond that are still quite common and familiar to me. I too have an interest in genealogy as well with many English, Scottish and Welsh (from Swansea) ancestors among others. Thank you for sharing your interesting treasures with us.
Thank you for commenting!
I have noticed this seems to be another good year for moss, after several quite dull years.
I wonder what part of the states you live in?
My father came from Morriston, on the edge of Swansea – good to hear you also have Welsh ancestors in there somewhere.
All the best đ
Pat, I live just a bit East and a bit North of the middle of the country in the state of Missouri. More precisely I live in the small town of Monroe City (1,500 souls) about 20 miles west of Hannibal which is right on the mighty Mississippi River. It was the boyhood home town of the famous American author Mark Twain (given name Samuel Clemens). I grew up mostly in the town of Quincy, Illinois which is about 45 minutes (and 45 miles) northeast of me also on the Mississippi River. As regards my Welsh heritage my paternal grandmother’s grandparents were both born in Wales and emigrated to the U.S. to the state of Maryland on the Eastern coast of the U.S. (date of entry unknown though they were born in Wales, presumably Swansea both in the1840s). Maryland is where my grandmother was born, maiden name Margaret Isabel Lloyd. The Lloyds were coal miners in Maryland. Strangely enough my mother is first generation American as her father was born in Norwich, Ontario, Canada and brought to the U.S. when he was quite young. Her mother, my maternal grandmother, was surnamed Satterthwaite and her relatives came to what was called West Jersey (Burlington, New Jersey) around 1684. Mom’s family were mostly Quakers, so there are many English (Satterthwaite, Bye, Coffee, Gilbert, Cope, Newlon, Clayton, Heacock, Edwards, Kester) and also Scotts (Henderson, Kitchen, Crosbie, Lindsay) among them. These family connections can get quite interesting. I would have sent an email back to you, but for some unknown reason I was unable to read the one I received and so read what you had responded to me here. Have a blessed spring!
Thanks for all that – we are all such mongrels, aren’t we?
Lloyd is such a good old Welsh surname – and we use it here as a first name, too.
My industrial Welsh ancestors were mostly in the copper and steel industries rather than coal mining, but there are so many mining connections between our two countries.
All the best in your family tree searching đ
Dear Pat, I contacted you before about the image of Glyn Daniel’s at West Kennet. I am in the final stages of writing a book about this, and was hoping I could publish the image (with a copyright and credit for the image to you of course!). Would this be okay?
with best wishes & thanks
seren
Yes of course! I think I emailed you the best image I could manage when we communicated in 2016 – these are obviously old pictures now…
Please just credit “Pat English”.
Lovely that someone is interested đ
Dear Pat,
A friend brought me to your page of ginkgo tree. Very interesting.
I’m Jimmy Shen, a professional botanic photographer based in east China, origin of modern ginkgos, the living fossil. Nurtured by traditional Chinese painting aesthetics, I have created a picture book of wild ginkgos, in order to share my decades’ work with the world.
I am wondering if you like to have a look at the book.
Discover and share wonders of Nature.
Jimmy