Eye of Horus?

Eye of Horus?Not what I expected for a sunrise on Kit Hill! 
I chose to sleep on sofa in kitchen last night - why? Who knows! But I was up at 7 so decided to grab my tripod and catch the sunrise. Once there it didn't look too promising, but decided I needed to practise using the tripod and the camera on a slow shutter speed - am I glad I did! Eye of Horus and a rainbow! Plus excruciatingly numb fingers even wrapping my hands round a thermos cup of tea couldn't thaw!
By the time I had warmed up at home it was time to take ball obsessed Kess for a walk as her owners had commitments all day. More photos to choose from as if I hadn't got enough already! However this set me to musing on the walk about what I have learnt since joining Blipfoto. So here is my list! I use "you" for simplicity and in no way am suggesting you think or do the same or don't already know this!You have probably had the same thoughts or read similar before, which leads me to my first point on the list!
1. You may think you have the most unique shot that will amaze, stun and delight people - you have not! Someone has already taken it and probably so much better than you! Or they will do so and you will think they got the idea from you! Wrong again - everyone likes to think they are unique - when it comes to photography few are, and those that are, are truly unique!
2. Never leave home without wiping your card of previous shots.
3> Leads on for the reason for 2 - carry a spare battery - always gives out when least expected and wiping old shots drains it!
4. Take a tripod - however troublesome in weight, size or use its worth it and so much steadier than you holding it or trying to find something to put it on - never can find such a thing when you need it!
5. Never think you know what will be your blip! What you think you got you find is rubbish, what you didn't think was that good turns out to be the one, can be delightful or irritating depending on how long you spent and how many you took of the thing you wanted! 
6. Stay away from livestock - if they are not photo bombing you they are constantly moving out of shot or composition.  I'm sure there are other warnings about livestock but not encountered them - yet!
7. If you take a dog make sure it's a patient one.
8. Ditto for friends! 
9. There does not exist a pair of gloves that will keep your hands warm and allow you to set the camera controls! If there does please tell me!
10. Do not attempt bokeh unless you have loads of time!
11. Those shots taken around the house when you think heck what can I blip today? Don't bother! They never get used as something always turns up and you take them again, and again, and again, until they are so familiar they are completely uninteresting even to you - and were probably not that interesting in the first place!

This is my list so far! Will be updated as I learn and go through the seasons!!! Please feel free to add to it for my education and amusement!

So - time to see who wins Strictly! I have done no Seasonal prep apart from buying logs and kindling and presents from the pop up shop in the village and the internet! There is still loads of time for that!!! I know i will love my tree, decs and lights once up and will regret not doing it sooner - but its kinda snuck up on me and since I'm not religious it's not a big deal! Plus the fact its Winter Solstice celebration with Nellie of the Woods  tomorrow!!! 
Oh and the  last of the light photos taken on my way home!

12. You can take too many shots / there is always something to photograph!

13. Blipfoto will transform your life and so many interesting people and stunning, interesting, funny, sad, awe inspiring, unique images will appear before you!