Bejewelled

At first glance as I walked through the meadow alongside Colemere the dew encrusted spiders webs were just a pretty white (very damp) blanket but as the sun rose above the treeline the early morning rays lit up the webs in a glorious display.

Misty Dawn

If I ever wonder why I go camping I look at scenes like these and it makes it all worth while, even getting up at 4.00am. What you don't get from looking at these images is the stunning soundtrack of the dawn chorus but believe me it was an absolutely wonderful experience.

It was a beautiful morning, hardly any breeze and a light mist rising off the surface of the mere. Although I paid for it later (I was so tired by the time I got home) it was so worth getting up for this and I felt privileged to be there.

Misty Morning Light

Yesterday I posted some twilight shots of the stones at Castlerigg and today I have chosen a few shots taken just before sunrise from the Castlerigg site but focusing on the landscape  around.

In the first shot is looking north east towards Bowscale which looks serene in the peachy glow of the early morning sun still just below the horizon.

The other shots look down into the valley of St Johns in the Vale and Thirlmere in the shadow of Helvellyn.

I love the layer of mist that worked its way along the valley floor. I think the layers of blue in the second shot make for a lovely atmospheric image but I also think the scene (from a slightly different angle) works really well in black and white.

Young Buck

About ten days ago I got up at 3am and headed off to Brockholes in Lancashire for a dawn photo shoot in the hope of capturing some shots of the deer and hares that are known to visit the area in the early hours before visitors arrive.

Unfortunately it was a really cloudy morning so I didn't see the sunrise just a slow transition from dark grey to a lighter shade of grey and for much of the morning it rained heavily some from a photography perspective it was a bit of a washout.

From a nature watching viewpoint it was anything but. There were a few  Roe deer like this handsome young buck  which was foraging on the far bank of the river Ribble and several beautiful brown hares. There were also lots of birds around so I actually had a great time. The early morning birdsong was wonderful and because of the bad weather I practically had the whole place to myself. There were a couple of hides where I was able to make the most of the quiet time and I think there is a good chance I would go back and do it all again.

Bolton Abbey Village

So today I am repeating the theme from yesterday with these shots of dusk and dawn in the village. It was really quiet and peaceful, the sounds of sheep in the fields and birdsong complete the picture but you will have to use your imagination for that.

Harbour at Dawn

So after the drama of yesterday's storm I have chosen something a little calmer for today. This shot shows the lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour at Thunder Bay. I had got up early so as to capture the sunrise and it paid off because it was a clear morning and the sky was a beautiful colour in the stillness and calm of dawn. I got some lovely shots and I think you will agree this is a good one.

To Hilbre At Dawn

On Saturday I got up at the crack of dawn (04:45am) and set off across the sands to Hilbre Island, a wonderful nature reserve off the coast of Wirral. I followed the tide out as the sun was rising behind me. Unfortunately the sky was very overcast and so I didn't get the best of the sunrise however the early morning sky was quite dramatic.

I was completely alone apart from the flocks of seabirds and waders and I really enjoyed some moments of quiet reflection. I am so lucky to live so close to such a beautiful place.

The first shot shows Hilbre Island itself which is the largest of a group of three islands with Middle Eye just to the left. 

The final two images show different views of Little Eye, the first and smallest of the group and it is the point that you head towards following the safest route across the sands.

I have some more nice views from my brief visit which was cut short by the rain and I will share these and a few more details of the trip over the next few days.

Hilbre Island Dawn

Today's shots are the last in the series of early morning at West Kirby Marine Lake.  There are two shots of Hilbre Island too which is a real treasure.  On this particular morning it was really cold but there were a few small groups of walkers heading out there.  

I love the ripple effect of the sand in pictures 2 and 3 and I think the rock in the 3rd picture adds a little extra interest to the overall shot.

I had hoped to get out with my camera today but sadly it was raining and overcast pretty much all day, the sun eventually broke through about forty minutes before sunset so it was too late to get out.

Anyway I hope you enjoy today's pictures, feel free to leave a comment.