After only a few days of posting blips, it’s been a sharp learning curve!  There are clearly some fantastic camera operators (!) out there, but what is also good is how friendly and encouraging this place is!

 

Firstly, I would like to thank my friend Martin (martindawe) for sugges Read more...

After only a few days of posting blips, it’s been a sharp learning curve!  There are clearly some fantastic camera operators (!) out there, but what is also good is how friendly and encouraging this place is!

 

Firstly, I would like to thank my friend Martin (martindawe) for suggesting I try this out.  I must say, it’s time consuming, but am assured it gets easier! 

 

Big thanks, too, to all those ‘blippers’ who have commented so generously and wittily, followed me, given me stars and made me so welcome.  It’s why I’m still trying to take good photos and I am 100% sure that after browsing through so many brilliant blips, it will inspire me to improve my very inadequate skills.  But it’s not just photos; I love the literary element, which I do enjoy.

 

I thought it’s maybe time to introduce myself beyond the pseudonym of Platypus.  Not my real name, y’know…

 

So, it’s Ian Miller.  I live in Cambridgeshire, England, an ex-journalist, married to Liz (an ex-dietitian), two daughters Olivia, who works at CAMFED, a charity which funds education of women in sub Saharan Africa and Annabel, about to start her final year at Leeds Uni, who is a bit responsible (by taking a year out in Oz) for my Platypus moniker.

 

It was the first name that occurred to me as I’ve just spent c two months weeks in Australia…with me very determined to see platypuses in the wild; such astonishing creatures in so many ways.  To my amazement, I had several close up encounters without resorting to paying for ‘twilight platypus spotting boat trips’, etc or zoos.  But I admit to an early fall back visit to Brisbane’s koala sanctuary, which I knew had one in a tank, to ensure I did actually see one! 

 

Anyway, enough of platypuses - although I may well ‘back blip’ (I believe that’s the expression) a platypus shot at some point.

 

Also, to anyone still reading this, I plan to back blip a few times to fill some gaps back a few days.  I would be very pleased to see any comments, especially critical appraisal (most welcome!)

 

Finally, a bit about my interests, in case anyone is on a similar wavelength:

I play too much golf, reading (currently Bill Bryson obsessed), travel, watching wildlife, enjoy a challenge, quizzes, history is a bit of an obsession (not a Royalist, I’m afraid!), talking to strangers (easier than blipping them!), eating well, listening to music (not the time for specifics!), frustrated ex squash & real tennis player. 

 
Re photography, many years ago, I put myself through a City & Guilds photography course, using an old large format Yashica TLR and learning printing and dev skills.  Most  of it is now irrelevant in the digital age, but I can recall some of the fundamentals, but after years of happy snapping, I do hope ‘blipping’ in the company of such keen eyed types, it will raise my standards.