I took these shots to show the contours where the receding tide had sculptured the sand around the base of some rocks at the base of the cliffs. I think it creates some interesting patterns and if it weren't for the small tell-tale signs (the small shells, the seaweed and the dogs footprints) it would be difficult to work out the true scale of these miniature canyons.
I like the colours and textures in these pictures.
As you know, if you have seen my recent posts it was a cold and snowy day, and if you look carefully at these images you will see the white streaks of snow flakes blowing through the shot.
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.
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..
