iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 9h

Today's Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme is #LongBeak, birds with long beaks set by @robcrank68.bsky.social for @alan678.bsky.social I'm having an oystercatcher splurge at the moment, this one is on a beach surrounded by worm casts. An all you can eat buffet for a bird with a long beak. #ECK #photography

An oystercatcher is standing on one leg on a beach facing left. The tide is going out and there are numerous marine worm casts on the beach which provide food to birds like oystercatchers. The scene is in strong midday sunlight accentuating the black and white plumage, the orange eye colour and the long orange beak.

0230

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 11h

I wasn't aware there was such a thing as #SquirrelSaturday but as I have lots of red squirrel pictures, here's one I took in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, a while ago. #photography #nature #wildlife #ECK

A red squirrel is pictured sitting on a moss and lichen covered stone wall, The squirrel is crouched, facing right, eating a peanut. There is a very strong early morning backlight which dulls the vivid red of the fur but highlights the ear tufts. The background is green foliage but completely out of focus and blurred.

0100

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#BirdoftheDay today is #Black&White Its nice to see some "arty" images in other posts where monochrome is adding something. Here's an Oystercatcher who always look good in mono but the water surface is transformed too. #ECK #photo #photography #birdphotography #nature #wildlife

An Oystercatcher is pictured in monochrome flying from left to right over water. The wings are in the downward beat position and are almost touching the water surface with a faint reflection in the broken surface. The slight ripple in the water surface is accentuated by the lack of colour and the grey background of the water provides a striking contrast with the predominantly black and white plumage of the bird.

1230

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#BirdOfTheDay theme is #BestOfTheMonth Not many birds this month, mostly insects but I never seem to have a long lens when I see the Nuthatch. So I took this with a 90mm macro lens and cropped it. It's just a bit of fun isn't it? @lawrencejohnsauter.bsky.social I saw your post, don't worry just post

A Nuthatch is perched on the trunk of a walnut tree in it's usual "head down" position. A very colourful and striking bird that appears everyday in our garden. The background is out of focus green foliage.

1240

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#BirdOfTheday Alt theme is #Paridae, any of the species. Blue Tit on a garden cane. #photography

A Eurasian Blue Tit is perched on the end of a broken garden cane, side on and looking down. The background is out of focus and blurred brown providing a striking contrast with the colours of the bird.

1311

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I managed to find you some bokeh balls (lots) for my 2nd post on #BirdOfTheDay @helenbennett.bsky.social (Bonus points for any bokeh balls! ☺️🪶📷️) An ever so slightly soft focus Goldfinch in a sapling.

110

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I'm a bit late but today's #BirdOfTheDay Alt theme #AwkwardAvian - any bird captured in a silly, clumsy or strange position! Not a great picture technically but illustrates how agile a Red Kite is, banking hard at speed, head turned 90 degrees to keep everything aligned and fully focussed.

A Red Kite against a bright blue sky, tilted at around 45 degrees in a banking dive, wings in the upward position about to make a down beat, tail extended and flared to assist in the tight turn.

1100

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Ben Nevis and the Western Highlands, Scotland. Taken in May a few years ago. Not a panorama, just a crop to remove some foreground. #stunday #scape #scotland #photography #ECK

A view of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain (4,413 feet) in Scotland and the UK surrounded by the Western Highlands. A blue sky is broken up with grey and white clouds but the sun is penetrating and illuminating the peaks which still have some snow covering them in Spring.

0180

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#Stunday Doing what he loved to do, retrieving a stick from a lake. Such a handsome boy, long gone but never forgotten. #photography #dogs

A German Shepherd dog is pictured head on climbing out of a lake after retrieving a stick. Water droplets are dripping from his fur. The foreground grass, reeds and daisies on the bank are out of focus and the background of the lake is blurred blue.

0231

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A pair of Red Kites for today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #Pairs It also fits the Alt theme of #Green in the background. Thankfully it doesn't specify they both have to be in focus 😁 #birds #Photography #ECK

Two Red Kites in flight, one, in sharp focus, is front on and banking at 45 degrees while the other, in the foreground and slightly out of focus, from the rear and is in horizontal flight. Bright sunlight highlights their plumage. The background is a blur of out of focus conifers.

1200

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A little worker honey bee doing its thing on our Viburnum bush today. Very impressive pollen baskets! #Bugsky #Flyday #Photography #bee #macro #ECK

A worker honey bee approaches a Viburnum flower head to gather pollen. It's legs have large yellow pollen baskets attached to them.

A worker honey bee has landed on a Viburnum flower head to gather pollen. It's legs have large yellow pollen baskets attached to them.

1161

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Getting in early for #InsectThursday this week, there is a proliferation of Ivy Bees in the UK at the moment when Ivy is in flower although this one is feeding on a Viburnum flower head in the garden. As adults, they only live a very short 6 weeks. #photography #macro #bugsky #eck #insects

1132

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Buachaille Etive Mòr, a very famous Munro (mountain over 3000 feet) at the head of Glen Etive leading to Glen Coe, Scotland. Picture taken by me in May 2010. #Photography #ECK #BlueskyMonday #MinimalMonday #Mountain #Scotland #Sky

A view of Buachaille Etive Mòr, a mountain at the head of Glen Etive in Scotland. The Scottish Gaelic name translates as Great herdsman of Etive. The view is looking down the glen towards Glen Coe, the site of an infamous massacre in 1692. The foreground is mostly dry scrubby grass and heather and the sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds. Bright sunshine is illuminating the scene from the left with the mountain casting a shadow across its right side and across the glen.

0130

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #LightAndShadow I managed to find a Jackdaw caught in a "spotlight" of morning sunshine on a North facing roof. Previously posted. Yesterdays post of a Gull would fit this theme, why does that happen? #birds #photography #ECK #ukbirds #wildlife #ukwildlife #owl

A young Jackdaw is perched on a tiled roof in partial shadow except for a ray of sunshine highlighting its head and back.

0180

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

2nd #macromonday - a few shots of what was feeding on the ivy flower heads in the garden at the weekend. Ivy Bees, Honey Bees, Wasps, Hornet Mimic Hoverflies and a Hornet very briefly. The Hornet was so big compared to the other insects it was impossible to miss. #insect #photography #bugsky

0100

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The face of the dragon - 1 of 2 posts today for #macromonday Taken very close up in the garden at the weekend see Alt for more detail. Looks like he needs a shave 😀 #insect #photography #bugsky

A very close up macro picture of a Common Darter Dragonfly face showing the structure of it's compound eyes, which contain up to 30,000 individual lenses giving it 360 degree vision, and its mandibles which do the capturing and chewing of its prey. The face is covered in very fine, short hairs with 2 short antennae which apparently measure wind direction and speed.

2264

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Another #Stunday post and another panorama. The Cullin Mountain Range, Isle of Skye, Scotland. I've been going back though archives and finding shots where I took multiples with the intention of making panoramas but never got around to it. These were taken 16 years ago. #scape #photography #ECK

A panorama shot of the Cullin Mountain Range, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Created from 4 individual shots taken consecutively. The mountains are bathed in soft afternoon, autumnal light and I can't remember where I took it from, possibly Portree.

0100

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

#Stunday #photography #scape #scotland #beach #ECK A Scottish beach, Sanna Bay, Ardnamurchan. Not easy to get to but well worth the effort. 3 shots compiled into a panorama using Hugin Panorama Editor (free). Best viewed on a big screen. Yes, the sea really is that colour, a magical place.

Sanna Bay, Ardnamurchan, Scotland. The most westerly point on the Scottish mainland. The west coast and particularly Ardnamurchan is renowned for its white sand beaches and turquoise sea and tihs is no exception. The picture depicts a curved white sandy bay with a blue/turquoise sea under a blue sky, scattered clouds on the horizon and full sun. It was created from 3 separate shots to capture the entire bay and then compiled into a wide panorama using specialist software (Hugin Panorama Editor, completely open source software, available as a free download) which seamlessly stitches the images together.

092

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

"That's the last one, no more posing! Now bugger off and leave me alone" #CaptionThatBird #BirdOfTheDay

1190

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

@atlanticbirding.bsky.social has specified today’s #BirdOfTheDay is #Elegant looking birds. Elegant - a very subjective word! The Kestrel is one of the most elegant birds in all respects so that's what I'm posting. Taken earlier this year in the field next to our house. #Birds #ECK

A female Kestrel is perched on a very thin twig of a sapling tree, devoid of leaves, against a clear, pale blue sky. Taken late afternoon in February, the sun is low and casts a soft yellow light on the Kestrel's plumage.

1140

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Per @denterrick.bsky.social "We're trying to fill Graham's feed @oldmanrambling.bsky.social with Robins on his dearly missed Janet's 83rd birthday." Please post a robin if you can with the hashtag #ForJanet So here's a Robin I've never previously posted. #Birds #Robins #ForJanet

A Robin is perched on a tangle of lichen covered branches in a tree.

1151

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Its #FlyDay Red Kite I post a lot of Red Kites but it's because I have a lot of archive pictures of them going back 15+ years. #photography #wildlife #ECK #birds #BirdsInFlight #birdsky #nature #RedKite

Red Kite in flight, wings outstretched, taken in bright sunlight against a clear blue sky in the Scottish Borders a while ago.

0151

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Hey @developers.google.com I don't think I want or need your products any more. You didn't waste any time kissing Trumps butt on the Lake Ontario name so you can do one as far as I'm concerned. Gemini is crap anyway.

010

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Just watched Hamza - African Birds of Prey on UK BBC TV and the more I see of Hamza's work, the more I'm convinced he's a natural successor to David Attenborough. He informs with absolute ease and his love of nature is total. He's also a very good cameraman. #birds #birdphotography #nature #wildlife

040

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Adult Mute Swan and 8 Cygnets. One of a series of pictures I took of this family a while ago. #BirdOfTheDay #Parenting #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #Photography #Stunday

An adult mute swan is feeding in a lake, surrounded by its eight grey cygnets. Dense undergrowth forms the backdrop and the water is dark reflecting the undergrowth but a patch of sunlight has broken through the overhead tree canopy highlighting the group.

1310

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

A Western Willow Spreadwing (apparently) found sunbathing on a passion flower bud today in the garden. #macro #insects #dragonflies #photography

A Western Willow Spreadwing damselfly (?) is hanging vertically from a passion flower bud in strong sunlight against a dark grey out of focus background. The insect is iridescent green and gold with brown eyes.

0212

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Helen @helenbennett.bsky.social has set today's "task" on #BirdOfTheDay as #ThinPerches any bird on a comparatively thin perch. I'm a bit late but here's a little sparrow clinging onto a pair of reed stems, which, comparatively, aren't that slender..... #photography #ECK #birds

A common house sparrow is clinging onto a pair of dried reed stems against a blue out of focus background.

0241

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Hornet Mimic Hoverfly on a buddleia flower taken at the weekend. They are really big in comparison to the more common stripey little hoverflies. #MacroMonday #Macro #Photography

A male Hornet Mimic Hoverfly is hanging upside down feeding on a bright pink buddleia flower head. The Hoverfly is substantially larger than the more common striped hoverflies having the appearance of a hornet but with the simple antennae and compound eyes of a fly.

0151

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Common Blue Damselfly. Taken in the garden today. Not stylised, the seed head really was that colour. #macromonday #macro #photography

A Common Blue Damselfly is resting on a decaying seed head which has turned grey. The Damselfly is pictured facing to the left against a light grey, out of focus, background providing a striking contrast with the bright blue body and the intricate black wing structure.

1272

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Another #BirdOfTheDay theme today, chosen by @alan678.bsky.social and it's #StrikeAPose — Birds caught in a particularly photogenic pose. It has to be (another) Greylag Goose I liked the light on the wings but the original was severely underexposed and took a lot of tweaking #birds #photography

A Greylag Goose is on a lake stretching its wings. The morning light is illuminating some of the wing feathers giving them a yellow glow. The background is out of focus grey/blue water and green vegetation with a mass of insects visible above the water.

1202

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

It's #MacroMonday Marmalade Hoverfly taken in the garden at the weekend, natural light, I never use flash. Their numbers are dropping as Summer comes to an end but I still see them in the garden if I look closely. #pollinators #Diptera #wildlife #Nature #Insects #Macro #Photography #Hoverfly

A Marmalade Hoverfly is pictured feeding on the flower buds of Viburnum Tinus, a garden shrub with white and pink flowers. The fly is facing to the right and has the characteristic yellow and black stripes that mimic a wasp but the large compound eyes and simple antennae of a fly.

0201

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I thought I'd post a 2nd #BirdOfTheDay for the Alt theme of #SereneBirdScene after I captured this Long-Tailed Tit just now in the garden looking very contemplative. #birds #ECK #nature #photography

A Long-Tailed Tit is pictured clinging to the wire frame of a bird feeder. The bird is bolt upright and appears to be staring into the distance. The pink,, grey and black plumage is in sharp contrast to the green out of focus background.

0181

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

#BirdOfTheDay Alt theme is: #SereneBirdScene bird images that have a peaceful and calm mood. A Greylag Goose who looks very content, smug and rather beautiful. #birds #ECK #nature #photography

A Greylag Goose is floating on a lightly rippled lake in full sunshine, facing left the sunlight is highlighting its orange beak and varying shades of grey and white on its body and the darker almost black flight feathers on its wings. The water is a dark grey/green with flashes of blue in the ripples.

0211

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The Humming Bird Hawk Moth paid a visit to the garden again today. It was feeding on the Red Valerian for about 3 or 4 minutes after I got my camera. I managed to get a few decent shots but heavily cropped so quite noisy enlarged. #Hummingbirdhawkmoth #TeamMoth #Insects #Bugsky #Nature #Macro

Viewed from the side, a Humming Bird Hawk Moth, grey with a black and white striped tail end and predominantly orange wings, is hovering and feeding on a Red Valerian flower head. The moths wings are blurred with intense movement in order to hover.

Viewed from above, a Humming Bird Hawk Moth, grey with a black and white striped tail end and predominantly orange wings, is hovering and feeding on a Red Valerian flower head. The moths wings are blurred with intense movement in order to hover.

050

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #50ShadesOfGrey A Collared Dove taken in June this year, looking quite pristine. #photography #ECK #birds #wildlife

A Collared Dove, a medium sized largely grey bird is perched on a building roof apex slightly side on and looking back over its shoulder. The light grey of the birds plumage is in stark contrast to the dark green out of focus background.

2180

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I didn't know there was such a thing as #InsectThursday so I'm posting a picture of a female (?) Common Blue Damselfly taken in the garden 5 days ago. In sharp focus from nose to tail which is a first for me probably 😊 #photography #macro #dragonfly #eck #insects

A Common Blue Damselfly is resting on the small green and yellow buds of a sedum flowerhead. The picture is taken side on in bright sunlight.

0243

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#birdoftheday Alt theme is #Raptors So it has to be my favourite and most photographed raptor (by me) the Red Kite. Taken a while ago in Scotland. The 2nd picture shows that a long fixed lens can sometimes give unconventional results when they fly overhead. #birds #ECK #photography #BirdLife

A Red Kite in flight against a bright, cloudless, blue sky.

A close up of a Red Kite in flight against a bright, cloudless, blue sky.

2230

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

#MacroMonday (again) Just some samples of what I photographed during a 20 minute walk around the garden today. Meadow Brown butterfly looking pristine. Carder Bee looking very furry. Drone Fly scratching its leg. #Photography #Insects #Macro #MacroPhotography #Nature #Bugsky

A Meadow Brown butterfly is standing on a bright pink flower head sipping nectar. The butterfly is light brown with an "eye dot" on its wing, side on with a strong backlight of sunshine against a blurred out of focus green background.

A Carder Bumble Bee is pictured crawling over a pink Buddleia flower head. The bee is a very hairy/furry species and its stripey, hairy abdomen is toward the camera. The background is blurred, out of focus, light green foliage.

A Drone Fly, a type of hoverfly that resembles a bee is resting on a plant leaf and seems to be scratching one of its hind legs with the other. The fly is pictured side on but facing away from the camera. The minute hairs on the abdomen and thorax are clearly visible giving a slight resemblance to a honey bee but the eyes are those of a fly. The background is blurred green foliage.

1183

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

#MacroMonday Female Hornet Mimic Hoverfly - a shorter, much more rounded abdomen compared to a male. I've seen several males this year in the garden, this was the first female. Pictures taken around 2 weeks ago. #Photography #Insects #Macro #MacroPhotography #Nature #Bugsky

A female Hornet Mimic Hoverfly feeding on a bright pink flowerhead. The female of the species has a large rounded abdomen with bold yellow and black stripes designed to deter predators by looking similar to a hornet. They are entirely harmless and a very important pollinator. Photographed in bright sunlight with blurred green foliage in the background.

1131

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I found this character in the garden today. A female Spider Opillio Canestrinii, a female I think, about 8mm long but massively long legs. Very weird eyes! Interesting observation, it has only 7 legs, 1 is missing. The leg socket at the rear is empty (pic 4). #macro #photography #spidersky #bugsky

Spider Opillio Canestrinii, common name Canestrini's Harvestman. An arachnid belonging to the order Opiliones rather than being a true spider. Originating from Italy, it is now an invasive species in many countries including the UK. The image is of a female, slightly bigger than a male, 8mm long, quite light pink in colour. The spiders legs are very long in proportion to its body, darks coloured with lighter banding and these are spread out around it. One leg is missing, it only has seven. One leg socket on its body is completely empty. The eyes are black surrounded by a white ring of pigmentation giving the appearance of an eyeball but are in fact just basic eyes with limited function.

1100

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

#Stunday A Highland burn (stream) in full flow, captured at 1/10th shutter speed. Best viewed on a big screen, the detail in the water is almost ethereal - see 2nd detail crop. Taken a while ago but probably Falls of Bruar in the Blair Atholl area. #ECK #scotland #scape #photography

An image of a fast flowing Highland burn tumbling over ancient rocks that have resisted the pressure of the water for centuries and longer. The water is flowing right to left and is cascading over a small waterfall around 1 - 1.5 metres high. The protruding rocks beneath the waterfall create distinct separate cascades and these have been accentuated in the picture by using a 1/10th second shutter speed. The water is stained in part from the presence of peat which is common in the Scottish Highlands and leaches into water courses after rainfall.

A close up, cropped image of the 1st picture illustrating the detail in the water flow and cascades over the underlying rocks.

0321

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Another for #Flyday Mint Moth - a very tiny daytime moth probably not noticed by most people as it's only about 1/2" long. Its eye is about the size of a pinhead. #Nature #Garden #Insects #PreciousPollinators #Macro #MacroPhotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #Moth #ECK

A Mint Moth, a very small brown day time moth, common worldwide is hanging from a leaf. The detail of its head, eye and antennae are clearly visible. The background is a green and brown out of focus blur.

A Mint Moth, a very small brown day time moth, common worldwide is hanging upside down from a leaf. The detail of its head, eye, abdomen and antennae are clearly visible. The background is a green and brown out of focus blur.

060

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

#Flyday Hummingbird Hawk-Moth on the Buddleia in the garden today. Such an agile insect, their wing control is amazing. #Nature #Garden #Insects #PreciousPollinators #Macro #MacroPhotography #PhotographersOfBluesky #moth #hummingbird #ECK

A side view of a hummingbird hawk-moth hovering as it feeds on a bright pink buddleia flower head against a grey out of focus background.

A side view of a hummingbird hawk-moth hovering with its proboscis curled before it extends it to feed on a bright pink buddleia flower head against a green and grey out of focus background.

A front view of a hummingbird hawk-moth as it hovers whilst feeding on a bright pink buddleia flower head against a grey out of focus background.

080

Martin in the UK @izzythedog.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

A little late today for #BirdOfTheDay I've gone Alt #SummerVisitors with these little characters who will be leaving soon and I'll miss them. #Birds #Photography #ECK

A group of migratory swallows are sitting in the late Summer sunshine against a clear bright blue sky on an overhead powerline, gathering in numbers day by day before migrating to warmer climes for the Winter.

090