Smoke over Patterdale

This is such a lovely view, looking south from Glenridding Pier through Patterdale with Place Fell on the left hand side.

Although it was quite overcast there were brief moments when the sun broke through the clouds illuminating the fells contributing to this fantastic image.

Although this looks really tranquil just moments before I took this shot two RAF Hawk jets flew fast and low through the valley (and I mean low; they were below the height of Place Fell which has a prominence of 262m or 850ft so they were probably around 500ft above the surface of the lake).

I have some good memories of visiting here, a few years ago I camped on the fell just to the left, it was a cold, damp night and I needed the help of a group of young people to push my car as I got stuck on a slippery slope. Although that was slightly embarrassing I had a great time and waking up to a view like this was just perfect.

An Early Start

I set out from home just after 5am and set off for the Lake District hoping to get some early morning winter sun. It was -2 C when I set off from home but when I arrived at Glenridding on Ullswater it was -6 C, my hands where painfully cold as I walked long the shore trying to get some good shots.

By now it was 8.30am and the sun was up but here the "steam" rising off the lake formed a thick canopy closing everything in. 

Despite the cold and gloom I think I managed to get some nice atmospheric shots, including these two of a small sailing boat sitting calmly at anchor.

I have used long exposures to enhance the eeriness of the low cloud/fog.

I came back a few hours later after the sun had burned off the clouds and it was a different scene altogether. In time I will share some of those but I have lots more to share from my first proper day out for ages