I had gone looking for a series of ponds where I was told there would be some good opportunities for some wildlife shots. I had followed the sound of a large and very noisy flock of birds that I think were settling to roost for the night but the area was too overgrown for me to get access for any good photos. As the light was fading anyway I decided to head back to the campsite that was home for the night.
Walking back along the track through the barley I was struck by the lines drawing my eye to the oak trees at the edge of the field directly ahead and I knew immediately it would make a great shot. Initially I thought that the soft light of evening would lend a warm glow to the image however the sun off to the right was just too low and the scene was a little too cool so I tried again in black and white and I feel this creates a much more atmospheric landscape.
It was a lovely evening and I was lucky enough to get home from work in time to enjoy a brief spell out with my camera.
I had gone down to the common to photograph my daughter-in-law and George the horse that she looks after. While we were there however George got spooked by this guy in his powered paraglider. He and his colleague took off from the common and took a flight across Liverpool Bay but in the process the noise of their motors startled George and a couple of other horses out for an evening ride.
That being said I quite fancy this activity, I can imagine what a wonderful sensation it must be to take off from a field and then gracefully look down on the world below gaining a new perspective. Especially on an evening like this when the sky is clear and the sunset gives a beautiful golden glow.
I would love to be looking down and maybe even taking a few shots, but I also love this image especially the way the light catches the leading edge of the parachute and the face of the pilot.
Yesterday's picture of the harbour at Whitby was taken on the way up to visit the Abbey. Of course at that time of day the abbey was closed to visitors so these pictures were taken from just outside the walls.
It was a beautiful evening and I was really glad to be there. As the sun set the sky had a beautiful and warm orange glow which was in contrast to the cold stone of the abbey walls.
I was lucky enough to be able to capture the sunburst through one of the arches, it was only a fleeting moment so I was pleased to be able to get this shot.
I recently managed a very brief break from everything and I headed over to Whitby on the Yorkshire coast.
It is some time since I was last there but each visit has some good memories attached and this was no different. It was a really hot and sunny day so landscape photography wasn't really on the cards but as evening approached the light changed and there were some great photo opportunities.
Whitby is built along the banks of the River Esk as it flows into the North Sea and the sunlight and reflections made for some nice images, I hope you will agree.
I am stepping back in time a little bit for today's blog. I have mostly been posting landscapes (though not exclusively) over the past two weeks and so I thought I would go back to some wildlife shots.
I have shared a similar shot of this Lesser Yellow Legs previously but its such a lovely little wader that I wanted to post another. It was nice still evening and the light was perfect. I love the way the light reflected off the water makes the birds white breast glow.
I haven't posted anything for a few days with going out to gigs and going camping (in spite of the weather) and so I haven't really had an opportunity. I couldn't think what to post and so browsing through my folders I came across this shot of a Blue Heron. I really like this shot, it was early evening and I love the way the evening sun was lighting up the reeds in the background. It was quite a lucky shot too as I almost walked past the small break in the reeds surrounding the lake, and I am reminded that I have to keep my eyes open all the time for great photo opportunities.
There was something quite mesmerising watching this beautiful bird standing so still and reflected in the calm water. I could have stayed for a long time watching it but as the light was fading I had to move on.
This is Eagle Island, although that is probably not its official name. The three dead trees just left of centre were the favourite perches for the beautiful eagles that frequent this spot and fish in Marie Louise Lake. The tallest tree just right of centre was also another favourite perch for a juvenile eagle. Sadly there were no birds in residence on this particular evening.
On my last morning camping here my daughter and I paddled out to the island and I got some great shots and we were able to watch one of the eagles fishing for its breakfast, such a remarkable sight. Also my daughter pleaded with me to let her go onto the island, I agreed but only reluctantly as the wind was getting up and it was an effort to get in close and stay steady enough for her to get out of the canoe.
She was gone for a little while but she returned triumphant having reached the tree where the eagle was sat and collected a feather. I was really proud of her for her adventurous spirit and really touched when we returned to camp and she presented me with her trophy which is a lovely souvenir of our fun times on the lake.
This picture was taken in the evening and as you can see the lake is mirror calm providing a perfect reflection of the island and with the sun behind us the detail is spot on.
Keeping the wildlife theme going for a second day I have chosen this lovely shot of a Ringed Plover which I spotted on our first evening in Thunder Bay. We had gone up to a spot called Boulevard Lake, a pleasant recreation area on the outskirts of the city. It was a lovely calm evening and there were several people out, walking their dogs, playing disc golf or just out for an evening stroll. I nearly left my camera behind but seeing that the evening light was so good I figured there might be some good photo opportunities and I wasn't disappointed. I managed to get some good shots of some wading birds and a beautiful Blue Heron so keep coming back for more...
This is one of Haverigg's two lighthouses, both of which are defunct. This is the newest of the two and was built around 1905 on the new sea wall.
In the early evening light it is quite atmospheric and it was an interesting point on my evening walk. I like the detail in the first picture.
Today I have spent the day in Snowdonia but the pictures I have chosen for my blog are from last weekends trip to Millom in Cumbria.
We have some really fantastic countryside in the UK and I had one of the best nights ever last Friday camping at a new site on the North West coast between Millom and Haverigg. There were no other campers on the site so it was really perfect. Over the next few days I will share some pictures from the trip, including my first attempt at shooting the night sky.
For today I have chosen some pictures of the sunset. The first is looking across the fields to Millom with the Cumbrian Fells in the distance, you can see Scafell Pike and Coniston (if you know what you're looking for).
The second image I took along one of the lanes near to the campsite, I love the evening light as it breaks through the trees.
The final picture was the view from my tent as the sun was setting, I don't think anyone can argue, that was a great view to end the day. After that I got some fish n chips with a helping of battered haggis for my supper before settling down to watch the stars. Mmmmm what a brilliant night.
These pictures were taken in July 2013 on a camping trip with my youngest son. We stayed at the Llyn Gwynant Campsite near Beddgelert under the shadow of Snowdon.
This was a great trip with some good photo opportunities. We really enjoyed the evening walking along the shore of the lake taking pictures, the only downside was the mass of mosquitoes along the waters edge.
The above photos were taken in the evening the last one around 8.30pm. The following morning we got up early to get some pictures of the sun rise and tomorrow I will post a couple of those.
Today's images were taken at the same time as those in yesterday's blog. They are at Meols Shore which is part of the Wirral Coastal Path. Early evening is a great time for photography as the light is often just right. I particularly like the third of today's photos although it would probably be better without the mast. I also like the way the light is catching on the lifebouy in the final picture.
