Which Stitch Markers Are Best

When I first took up crochet I didn't have any stitch markers, I didn't even know stitch markers existed. It wasn't long before I knew about them and I learnt the value of using stitch markers, aka stitch savers. That first frustrating experience of when a project accidentally unravels because there's nothing holding onto the stitch to stop it coming undone or your crochet circle grows in ways it isn't supposed to and the worth of this tiny tool became obvious very quickly. But there are so many styles of stitch marker to choose from, locking, circle, coil-less, plastic, safety pins, thread, 3D printed... does it really make a difference which one you use? Is it just how pretty they are? I walk you through a dozen different stitch markers from items you have lying around your home to the fancy artisan styles. I share with you what features to look for and those that don't really hold up to the task.
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Black Shouldered Kite

Black Shouldered Kite

Australian Black Shouldered Kite 

We went shooting last week and I managed to get my first shots of this lovely raptor. I could wish for sharper results but considering I was using the 55mm-250mm zoom lens, and he was maybe 50 meters away up a tall tree, I'm pretty happy with how they've turned out.

This small raptor at 35–38 cm (14–15 in) it is quite a stunner with ruby-red eyeballs.

Black Shouldered Kite blinking with his nictitating membrane

The greyness of the eyes in the above shot is from the nictitating membrane, a third eyelid (there's the top and bottom eyelids and this one is from the side) which is a bit transparent so they can still see when they need to blink.

Black Shouldered Kite rotating it's head

The Black Shouldered Kite can turn his head around quite a way without moving it's body, in the above shot we see the back of the head edge of the left eye can just be seen. 

Black Shouldered Kite taking a good look at the photographers

I'll be keeping an eye out for for an opportunity to capture a hunting shot in the future as their hovering ability is pretty amazing.

Black Shouldered Kite perched in a tree

Australian Black Shouldered Kite

Comments

  1. Sherry m3 July 2016 at 13:32

    Aren't they glorious birds? Just so beautiful and majestic.

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  2. Unknown3 July 2016 at 15:44

    Beautiful bird, I love that stare in it's eye

    Thank you for linking up

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  3. Coombe Mill - Fiona3 July 2016 at 16:08

    So beautiful, there eyes are so captivating, Clio lending a helping hand for Coombe Mill

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    1. Purfylle5 July 2016 at 09:34

      I'll be trying for a better eye-shot next time, the ruby red is just fabulous.

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  4. Unknown3 July 2016 at 22:04

    What a totally beautiful bird - he looks so proud sitting up there.

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    1. Purfylle5 July 2016 at 09:35

      He certainly doesn't seem to be worried about being exposed. All the other birds are hiding in foliage.

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  5. PurpleSlob4 July 2016 at 01:14

    Stella, I love your bird photography, well, all of your photography, really!
    You captured his personality and beauty, yet fierceness!

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    1. Purfylle5 July 2016 at 09:36

      He does have a fierceness to him doesn't he?

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  6. Mary @over40andamumtoone5 July 2016 at 01:30

    What a handsome chap #MySundayPhoto

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  7. Anonymous5 July 2016 at 18:40

    He looks so proud and lovely stance! You have an awesome lens and the photos are good! I saw some seagulls of different kind this morning and I only have nifty fifty so I need to go near but they fly away when I do. I wish I have a a lens like yours =) #MySundayPhoto

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    1. Purfylle14 July 2016 at 16:43

      My very first bird shot ever was with a nifty fifty, a magpie on the ground quite close to me. I wish my zoom took shots equally as beautiful, but most birds won't come that close. I use the 55mm-250mm cannon for most of my bird shots. It falls shorter then I would like but it's also light and lets me reach treetops that are close by.

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  8. Carol @Comfort Spring Station8 July 2016 at 20:42

    Beautiful bird. I really need to get a lens to help in my photos. Yours are really great images.

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    1. Purfylle14 July 2016 at 16:52

      Finding the right lens really does make a difference.

      Delete
  9. betty-NZ9 July 2016 at 11:03

    What a wonderful creature! I love these shots.

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    Replies
    1. Purfylle14 July 2016 at 16:52

      They are just stunning, I wish I could get closer.

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