I have chosen these three shots to share for my end of year post because they are such peaceful scenes and after a hectic and trying year this peacefulness is what I wish for myself and everyone.
To all who have followed my blog or looked at my pictures and even shared them in 2017 thank you. I hope you will stay with me through 2018 wherever it takes me.
Happy New Year!!!
The first shot for today is quite deceptive because the tunnel appears shorter than it is. This is the Chirk Tunnel on the LLangollen Canal and is viewed from the small basin at the end closest to the Chirk Aqueduct. It is 421 m in length which is 460 yds if you prefer. It is just wide enough for a narrowboat to pass through with a towpath on the right as you look at it here. It is very dark as you pass through although there is always light at the end of the tunnel. On a cold and snowy day it is also several degrees warmer inside the tunnel than out. This was an interesting point to start the canal walk and we passed through another, shorter tunnel along the way.
I took the second picture to give a sense of what life afloat must be like. I have often thought that living on a boat would be fun, relaxing and a chance to get away from the pressures of everyday life. Free to move around at a leisurely pace with a new view from your window or deck every day.
Of course it is not all idyllic, you would have to seriously de-clutter, you would have to get used to very limited space and on a day like yesterday things like getting your laundry dry become a big issue. This chap had his washing hung over a clothes airer on the towpath but with little to no chance of getting anything dry. Suddenly the idea of life afloat becomes a little less appealing
Today with warnings on the news that weather conditions would be really bad across the country I took a risk and set off for Chirk in North Wales for a walk along the Llangollen Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal and across the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (built by Thomas Telford and completed in 1805, now a World Heritage Site) that spans the River Dee.
When I left home first thing the weather was atrocious with heavy, driving rain and bitter cold, it seems that those conditions continued all day but at Chirk and along the canal things were a good deal calmer.
As you can see from these two images the sky was mostly clear and blue and although there was a cold wind I was wrapped up well and managed to stay warm for the duration of the walk (8 miles in total).
I have walked here before but in the summer or spring and there are usually lots of other walkers but today it was really tranquil and I think these two pictures give a perfect representation of how peaceful it was. I was thrilled to capture the rainbow in the first shot as it arced across the snowy fields.
I like the solitary tree in the second shot too. If I had had my tripod with me I would have tried a longer exposure to smooth out the surface of the canal and enhance the reflection but to be honest I really like the picture as it is, even with the sunspots. There is a warmth to the image and I will add the tree to my collection of nature's hearts. I know, I am such a romantic but I like to photograph hearts that appear in nature and I am sure that when the tree is in full foliage the heart would not be as visible.
These rare Prevost Squirrels ( Callosciurus prevostii) or Tri-Coloured Squirrels from South East Asia belong to a genus of squirrels which are collectively known as "Beautiful Squirrels" and it is easy to see why.
Chester Zoo has a family group of five with three young being born earlier this year. I wouldn't be at all surprised if those numbers increase in about six weeks time given the activity going on in the enclosure during my visit to the zoo yesterday...
I think this is undoubtedly one of the cutest creatures ever. It is a Phillipines Mouse Deer. Its body is about the size of a rugby ball (or American football) and it lives in the undergrowth on the forest floor. Unfortunately the available light was really poor so I have had to use a high ISO so the pictures are quite soft and grainy but although I would like to have a better image to share I couldn't not share these with you. They are an endangered species so it was great to be able to see these today.
Adorable!
So I was going to say how cute this bear cub is but I used Cute yesterday so I settled on adorable and I think it is quite clear to see the Andean Bear Cub is totally adorable whether stuck up a tree (as in my post on Christmas Eve) or with all four feet firmly on the ground.
I love to photograph animals in their natural surroundings but sadly I don't get the opportunity to travel to exotic places so sometimes only the zoo will do. I will be heading back to the zoo tomorrow so all being well I will be able to see how this little chap is getting along and get some good shots of some of the other specimens.
I know that some people will dislike the idea of zoos and animals like this in captivity but I have seen how the zoo at Chester has changed over the years and the conservation work they do is of immense importance so going to the zoo supports this work and helps preserve seriously endangered species.
So although it is Christmas Day I wanted to keep things going and share a little bit of cuteness and this little Bush Dog is certainly very cute but he can also be quite aggressive so it's best to admire him from a distance.
Seasons greetings.
It is Christmas Eve and by now hopefully everyone is ready for the big day tomorrow. I for one am ready to put my feet up and take things easy, for a while at least. I still have time to share a picture with you though...
I took this one earlier this year during a visit to Chester Zoo. I hope to go back to the zoo later this week to see how all the animals are doing and hopefully see some of the recent arrivals. For now here is a super cute bear cub up a tree which I am sure will raise a smile.
I hope that you enjoy this picture and I wish you all very best wishes for the season, Merry Christmas
So today I was back in Boston, just for the day visiting family and showing new family members some of my old stomping ground. It is a long way to go for a day but we enjoyed a whistle stop tour, even taking time to lock up my daughter in the cells in the 14th Century Guildhall where the Pilgrim Fathers were held in September 1607.
We also visited St Botolph's Church which has the tallest tower of any parish church in the UK and it is ironically named the Boston Stump.
It really is beautiful inside as you can see from the first shot. I really like the second image though because of the way the late afternoon sunlight catches the ancient stonework.
Both of these pictures were taken using my mobile phone.
This little chap was one of a number of regular visitors to my campsite in the summer, morning and evening at mealtimes he was never far away.
Although he would approach quite closely he was still very wary but a welcome visitor.
I love our British wildlife and getting up close to any wild creature, even something as "common" as the Chaffinch is always a thrill and should never be taken for granted. Earlier today I was listening to a song "No Longer There" by The Cat Empire, it poses the question what will you leave behind for the generations that follow you? It's great song so click on the link and have a listen.
There is so much in our world we should cherish but so much that we destroy and we need to take better care of things or one day even common species will be harder to see.
I spotted this beautiful dragonfly during a walk in the New Forest earlier this summer. It was stretched out in the sun on the heath, no doubt taking a break from its hunting.
It was a really lovely day and it was good watching the wildlife. It was also good to stop and take a rest just like this little chap.
So why have I called today's post Forest Fairies? Well it's obvious isn't it, there are some people who think these are fairies and who am I to disagree?
Today I have a view of White Coppice in Lancashire. It is quite an isolated spot but great for a walk with fantastic views out to the coast and from a little higher up the hill it is possible to see across to North Wales.
A gentle river flows through the valley where kingfishers fly.
In the bottom left hand corner of this shot there are the ruins of an old mill which is a nice spot to sit and enjoy the sound of the water flowing downhill while reflecting on what a beautiful world we have.
Moorhens are typically timid birds but this one has some serious attitude strutting his way through the reeds on the edge of the mere.
Over the next few days I will be sharing some random shots from past photo expeditions.
Today's offering is this beautiful kingfisher spotted at Mere Sands. It came after several hours waiting but stayed for less than 10 seconds so this was a super lucky shot.
This is the last picture from my walk in Betws y Coed that I will be sharing. It is a shot of the Afon Llugwy as it flows into the village just before the falls at Pont-y-Pair Bridge.
I think this is a great winter scene that captures how cold it was. It is a lovely spot and in the summer it would be heaving with visitors many paddling and splashing in the shallows but on this particular day it was almost deserted and it was great to be there and undisturbed..
I didn't post anything yesterday because I was out with friends having a good time and I just didn't have an opportunity to choose anything to share.
So today although it is late I have picked another image from my wintry walk in Betws Y Coed last Saturday.
On a fallen tree with frozen branches this curious looking moss was growing. It was rather dull so with the help of a pocket torch I was able to brighten things up for this shot. I think it makes a good image.
Here are three shots of the second stack I built on the banks of the River Llugwy from slightly different angles. This was quite a tricky balance to be honest because the stones were slippery and I was shivering because it was so cold. But I managed to do it without it collapsing and that was important to me because I didn't want to spoil the snow around it.
I really like the effect of the out of focus background and the way the wet stones glisten.
As with the first stack that I showed you yesterday I dismantled it afterwards to leave no trace...
Although I had gone to North Wales hoping to capture some snowy landscapes the light really wasn't good enough so I took a walk along the banks of the River Llugwy and I built a couple of pebble stacks.
Here are a couple of shots of the first one. I think the wet stones look really good against the background of snow and evergeens.
I think it is quite striking but after I had taken the pictures I removed the stones. I had considered leaving them to be seen and enjoyed by other walkers but I decided to adhere to the policy of leaving nothing behind but footsteps. After all I have the digital images to keep and share.
For today I have chosen three views of a waterfall. This was near to the Miners Bridge across the River Llugwy at Betws y Coed in North Wales. It is the same waterfall I posted a slo-mo video of on my facebook page recently. It is a beautiful sight and it sounds fantastic too.
... the Ivy
I don't know about you but when I think Ivy I think Green (a bit like the second of today's images) but how about the lovely rich colours in the first shot, there is so much red and so many shades of green it is simply beautiful.
Two different shots from a wintry day in Betws y Coed and two different effects tweaking blacka nd white images in Lightroom. I had some assistance from my son so that I didn't overdo the saturation in either shot and I think they look pretty good.
The first shot is a very simple image of the apex of the snow covered roof of a timber building in the village. Framed by the trees and with a slight blue hue it has a cold wintry feel.
The second shot is looking up the valley along the course of the river Llugwy. I love the mist rising above the trees mixed with the wood smoke from the houses on the hill. I have given the picture a lift by adding a slightly yellow hue which has brought out some definition in the clouds which otherwise appeared flat and grey.
Today I headed off to Snowdonia hoping to get shots of some nice snowy scenery. The conditions weren't very good and the light was poor so the landscape shots weren't too promising.
Walking along by the road I spotted this lovely Song Thrush and took a quick shot before it flew off into the field. It was quite shady in this particular spot so I have had to enhance the lighting and crop the picture quite a lot but it still makes a nice wintry image.
The Song Thrush is a species in decline in the UK so I am always really pleased when I see one. They are so elegant and pretty and of course they sing beautifully (the name is a bit of a giveaway really). The species name is a bit unfortunate though.
It has been snowing here today and the cold wet weather made me think back to the warmer summer days so I have picked some shots from a trip to Dunham Massey when the weather was much kinder.
I love the first shot with the stag resting in the long grass, he was totally relaxed and I'm sure he didn't want to be spotted. He really was blending in nicely.
The second shot is lovely too, I think it is a great portrait of a handsome beast.
Today's offering shows a couple of wonderful birds, the first one is a lovely little Coal Tit and the second a much more brightly coloured Great Tit. We may be lucky enough to see these regularly in our parks, gardens and hedgerows but they are so beautiful we shouldn't overlook them
Having spent a few hours wandering and watching the birds around Burton Mere I was heading back to my car and I spotted this lovely Grey Squirrel. Although they are an invasive species they are really cute and this little chap was very curious while keeping at a safe distance.
I have chosen these pictures for today because I love to see birds in flight. With smaller birds it is harder to capture the detail because they move so much quicker than larger birds (although some smaller birds like Humming Birds which I have posted before are great because they hover and so it is possible to get get shots while they are in motion).
Large birds such as those in the pictures above fly so gracefully and compared to the way they lumber around on the ground either in the water or in flight they look so elegant. Take the Whooper Swans in the first picture for example, I love the shapes made by the wings, and the way they use every individual element to control lift and direction. They also make it look effortless while in the air but they expend so much energy getting off the ground.
The Cormorant in the second image was flying a bit more quickly and seemingly with greater purpose. he looks so streamlined with his neck stretched forward and his feet tuck in tight against his body.
The final shot is of a small flock of Pink-footed Geese. Again I like the different shapes as their wings flex and bend powering them through the sky. I also like to see the cooperative nature of geese in flight as they fly in sagitate flocks, using an arrow or v-shaped formation to help give each other extra lift and lighten the load.
Continuing the theme from the other day of colourful British birds here is a Great Tit and I think he is absolutely stunning.
I am really pleased with this shot. Looking at it I remember a time earlier this year when I visited Boilton Woods and I held out some seeds in my hand and fed some Great Tits as they perched on my thumb, it was quite a thrill and a happy memory.
The first image show a beautiful Little Egret in winter plumage (sleek and lacking the wispy plume that it has during the summer months). It was patiently patrolling the shallows fishing. I watched this one catch a decent sized fish just a few moments before this shot but sadly I didn't capture the action. This is such a beautiful and elegant bird with its pristine white feathers.
The second picture shows an adult Grey Heron hunkered down on the embankment over looking the pool. It was cold and windy and he seemed quite content standing there. He lacks the elegance of the Egret, at least in this pose but nonetheless he is a lovely creature.
