Pen Yr Ole Wen

ISO 160  24mm  F/16  1/25 sec

ISO 100  32mm  F/22  2.5 sec (Cokin P153 filter)

ISO 100  24mm  F/22  1/20 sec

So here are three views of Pen Yr Ole Wen shot from two different vantage points using my Canon 24 - 105mm F/4 L IS(USM) lens. The first two were from a little lower down the track and the mountain is reflected in the stream just below a small waterfall.

You can see from the first shot that there was a lot of movement in the water given the waterfall so in the second image I used a ND4 filter and a long exposure to smooth out the surface of the water, the reflection is still not too sharp and maybe a longer exposure or stronger filter would have achieved a better result. I'm not sure but to be honest I am pleased with both of these images.

While I was setting up in this spot I was watching a Dipper flying up and down this short stretch of river and I was debating whether to swap out my lens in order to try and capture a few shots. They are a bird which fascinate me and it is one of my goals to photograph one, so maybe this will be the focus of a shoot in the near future.

The third shot is from the shore of Llyn Idwal and sheltered by the mountains on either side the surface of the lake was pretty calm and so there is a sharper reflection.

All in all it was definitely worth getting up early and braving the icy conditions.

On The Ice

While most of my colleagues and all of my family had returned to work on January 2nd I was lucky enough to still have a few days off so I headed off to Snowdonia early in the morning for a walk in the mountains and of course to take one or two pictures.

It was a cold morning and I had to scrape ice off my car before setting off, the temperature was showing as -3 celcius, the sky was clear and there were lots of stars on display which to me were all good signs. You may think that sounds odd but it was exactly the conditions I was hoping for.

I arrived at the base of Tryfan just after sunrise with the temperature now showing -4 degrees so I wrapped up and set off up the path to Llyn Ydwal where I was hoping to capture some great reflections of Pen Yr Olwen which was glowing in the early morning sun.

On the way up there are a number of small streams and as the temperature dropped even further  it was unsurprising that the streams had a covering of ice which I couldn't help but photograph for the amazing patterns that had formed.

I had a great day out and I also got the shots I had gone for so look out for those in the coming days but for today enjoy the three icy shots above.

Making a Splash

I love this shot of the lower slope of Glwyder Fawr overlooking Llyn Idwal. I love the rugged slopes, the thin streak of snow lingering on the distant ridge and the clear blue sky, I also love the super splash courtesy of my rock throwing daughter to whom this shot is dedicated.

More Views of Y Garn

Two more views of Y Garn today and the final image of the stream which flows from Llyn Idwal down to Llyn Ogwen here as it cascades at the bottom of the valley.

It was a beautiful day and so the blue sky helps to frame the mountains and scenery. I loved being here and I hope you can enjoy this beautiful landscape from the pictures above.

A Shimmering Sky

Last weekend I went back to Llyn Idwal in Snowdonia.  This time I had my daughter with me and we scrambled up beside a waterfall and cautiously walked across some very boggy ground and gave pointers to some very energetic folk who were out orienteering. After a break for lunch we set off around the lake and at the end of the day we sat looking across the lake enjoying the late afternoon sun.

Sat on a rock by the side of the lake I noticed the patterns of the sky reflected in the rippling surface and took a few pictures.  I wasn't sure how they would turn out but I have to say I am very pleased with these shots.  I like the way water lends itself to such abstract images.