Adrian, Geert, Rob and everyone... I'm in awe.
It's a tough act to follow but I'll attempt a few basic pictures from the trip to Kyrgyzstan (May 5th ~ 11th). I haven't gotten around to properly posting the photos - in fact, I'm not yet done sifting through them - but here's the meat. http://cs630825.vk.me/v630825358/2e6cb/s8R4A4-LQ3I.jpg
Ala Archa valley outside the capital, Bishkek. http://cs630825.vk.me/v630825358/2e6d4/BD2sAYDs80Q.jpg
Hunting in the poppy field has yielded some tangible results (Canon 70-200/2.8 L IS + 31 mm extension tube).
http://cs633330.vk.me/v633330358/2a17f/iaxmEUSRJm4.jpg
Attempts at Astro in the fortress hotel on the shore of Issyk Kul lake. http://cs630824.vk.me/v630824358/2b6ca/xD6zUkAN3HY.jpg
The, ah, better part of our team: my wife (left) and a well-equipped (7D Mark II, 70-200/2.8 II, 100L Macro, Tokina 12-28/4) lady from Ukraine. As you can see, there was something to see both around our bus and inside it. With the inevitable "you have more pics of her than those with me!" outcome. They did get along pretty well, however.
Oh, and the trip was organized by National Geographic (Russian edition), and their chief photographer was mentoring us as we went along. He showed some of his own stuff a few times while we were resting, and... well, from looking at his work I'm thinking that I should find something else to do. I'm just wasting my time (and everybody else's, really). That, or I should try doing something even remotely comparable. You guess which is easier.
More photos - and a horror story that you might be interested in (it can happen to anybody)! - are due next time, in a day or two.
It was an unsettled day today with some nice soft light between the fog up on the BRP. It's still very much spring up at the higher elevations. It really is my favorite time of year.
For me this is typical spring. The Sand Lizard males get their mating colors and turn green. Every spring I photograph them. They live very near my home. The lizards on the photos are of a different subspecies living in Poland, the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis argus).
