The Dell

 There is going to be a decidedly watery feel to my next few posts as well as some long exposures.

Today's lone image is from Bodnant Garden. I had been watching a pair of Goldcrests and a pair of treecreepers in the trees along the banks of the stream when I noticed the way the sunlight was playing through these trees and I took a little time to set up this shot. I had to wait for visitors to step away from the small bridge, and as I was on a narrow path I had to ensure I was not causing an obstruction as I set up my tripod. 

I used a 10 second exposure here at f22 and I used a variable ND filter to compensate for the long exposure (I can't recall what setting I used for the filter) I think the overall effect with the "frozen" waterfall and the sunlight through the trees creates a really tranquil scene. The sound of the water as it flowed by was so relaxing, it was easy to get lost in the beauty of this place.

The Sun and The Moon

I took these shots across the lake early one morning as the sun was rising behind the Sleeping Giant. There was a chill in the air but there was barely a breeze so there was hardly a ripple on the lake.

I love the golden light in these shots it was a perfect start to the day.

As the day begins night ends and as I was watching the sunrise the moon was still high in the sky behind me.  It seems so odd with such a contrast between the golden sky over the lake and the cool blue cloudless sky over Mission Marsh

Oh What A Beautiful Morning!

So these three images of the Sleeping Giant were captured on two different mornings and from two different vantage points during my recent stay in Thunder Bay.

The first was on a rather overcast morning shot from the along the waterfront near the marina. The ship on the horizon looks huge in comparison to the giant and the low cloud in the distance resembles a plume of smoke adding to the atmosphere of this image.

The second and third views are from the boardwalk at Mission Marsh Conservation Area at sunrise. As you can see it was a beautiful golden morning with colours changing rapidly as the sun rose higher in the sky.

Cold By The Canal

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.

Intrepid Adventurer

I thought long and hard before posting this picture as I tend not to post images of my family but although this is a picture of my daughter she can't be identified from this shot so I decided it was OK to use it. 

It is one of my favourite photos from the trip for a number of reasons. I love the sunburst and its reflection, I love the colours, I love the stillness of the water, I love the view of the Sleeping Giant and the reflection of the treeline on the far shore. I think it is a fantastic image.

Most of all though I love it because this was such a special moment. Setting off in the late evening to explore the lake we approached the island and we saw a family of otters swimming off to the reed beds and later a family of Loons, we experienced complete calm and it was wonderful bonding experience, creating some wonderful memories. 

As we paddled back to camp the sun had dipped below the horizon and we returned in the dark guided in by torchlight. It was such a wonderful evening and sharing my love for the outdoors with my daughter is a moment from the trip that will always be precious to me. And on a day when I remember my father and the many things we did together it seems fitting to share a picture that sums up in part why I love being a dad.

Reflections On Llyn Llydaw

The first of today's pictures was taken from the spot where I had camped in 2012, it is a lovely view across the lake and is a really tranquil scene.

The next two images were taken from different vantage points around the lake with some lovely clear reflections.

The pictures show how changeable the conditions were with the clouds moving quite quickly across the tops of the mountains yet the surface of the lake remained calm.

For Her Majesty's Pleasure

A field, a pond and a shoal of greedy fish. All of these scenes are what Marie Antoinette would have looked upon on a daily basis as she explored her domaine.

I like the contrast of the miniature sunflowers interspersed with the barley and the tranquility of the view across the lake which is in stark contrast to the frenzy of the fish in the final picture as we were feeding them scraps of bread left over from lunch.

A lot of yellow...

This beautiful Laburnum Arch was devised by Henry Davis Pochin, a Victorian Entrepreneur who created the gardens at Bodnant in 1875.  The arch is actually a 55m (180ft) long alley comprising 48 individual plants.  It is only in flower for two/three weeks each year in May and June.  It really is a spectacular sight and is a massive draw for visitors to the garden.

It was early afternoon when I arrived and the alley was full of people and so I was only able to get close up shots as in the first two pictures.  At the end of the day after a slow walk around taking pictures of many other plants and flowers most of the visitors had left (in fact the few remaining visitors including me had to leave via an emergency exit as we were locked in) and I was able to get the final shot of the arch without a single person in it.  I was really pleased to get this and hope that you enjoy seeing it.