Lake District, April 2019, Day 2.

On 10th we drove over the hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales to Hawes to try to see and photograph red squirrels. It was another beautiful day and lapwings wheeled acrobatically in the air as they displayed, their plaintive ‘peewit’ calls carrying clearly to us. The hauntingly beautifully bubbling song of curlews told us they had newly returned from the coastal mud flats to their hillside breeding grounds. We had booked to visit the Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Walk and at the appropriate time caught ‘the little white bus’ from the car park at the Dales Countryside Museum. We were soon being dropped off at the entrance to Mirk Pot Farm where our 2.5 mile walk began. Although there is a strong possibility of seeing squirrels anywhere, half way round the walk is a feeding station. We saw at least 3 of these superb little animals. As they are fed they are completely habituated to people and at times scampered right up to us. Moving as quickly as they did, however, they were a challenge to photograph. I am not too pleased with the photographs as I had the 'wrong' lens with me; still there will be another time.

On the way home, just before Sedburgh, we called at Farfield Mill art centre.  As well as superb art, especially textiles (Heather was in seventh heaven), photography of the ouside of the old buildings was rewarding as was the Clough River, which we felt, was very low.

What a wonderful day.

Lake District, April 2019, Day 1.

We were excited to be driving up to our caravan in The Lakes on Tuesday 9th April on a beautiful day. It is always exciting to arrive for the first visit of the year and it felt as if we had never been away. We were pitched with a view out across the fields towards Stavely and the Kentmere fells beyond. After our evening meal we walked across the field to an old gnarled oak tree which grows out of the edge of a huge lump of limestone. Being a natural bonsai, it yet again tempted me to photograph it.

Spring comes to Irby Dale

We recently walked in Irby Dale. Delighting in the trees coming into leaf I spent some time photographing the fresh young sycamore leaves. One of the few plants that can be found in flower in every season of the year, gorse was blooming well and smelling alluringly of coconut, as usual, reminding me of holidays in warmer climes. Irby church yard was a riot of colour, the thick carpet of primroses in their prime. We are used to seeing and hearing buzzards over Irby Dale now, but it was exciting not only to hear the ‘yaffle’ but to have excellent views of a green woodpecker. This seems to be a species that has expanded into the area.

The Museum of the Moon Exhibition, The Collection, Lincoln.

The Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.  There are different versions throughout the country, the Lincoln one being inside and  measuring 6 metres in diameter.  It is constructed from 120 dpi NASA imagery and represents the moon on a scale of 1: 600,000, each centimetre representing 6km of the moon's surface.  The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight (it is lit from the inside) and surround sound music created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones.

Like many I have always found the moon inspirational and awe -inspiring and I have photographed it on many occasions, usually using my 500mm 'birding' lens attached to my very solid tripod.  For millenia it has acted as a cultural mirror to society, reflecting the ideas and beliefs of people around the world.  At times it has played the part of a god and as a planet.  It has been used as both timekeeper and calendar and has been used to aid navigation.  It has inspired artists, poets, scientists and writers as well as musicians the world over; my favourite being Pink Floyd's  Dark Side of the Moon.  One of my favourite times to view the moon is low in the sky when the full moon is deep orange.  In October 2015 I was privileged to be able to photograph a 'super moon' at moon rise followed by the 'blood moon'; a total eclipse of the moon at 4.00 in the morning.

As the viewer walks into the exhibition hall he/she is greeted by the spectacle of the moon filling the room - just hanging there.  There was even the strange opportunity to walk around it and observe the 'dark side' which is never revealed to us on Earth.

I found the experience totally moving and one well worth seeing.

Dog Walking in Bradley Woods

A short walk around Bradley Woods today in order to walk Jet.  I couldn't resist some more images of the old chicken sheds; just as well as I notice that they appear to be preparing them for demolition and building on the site.  At home, I enjoyed playing in photoshop to add a texture layer.

A Short Walk along The Ancholme at Brigg

On 30th March, struggling with my bad back, I walked a short distance along the River Ancholme at Brigg. Again blackthorn was well in flower, with its beautifully intricate white flowers with orange/red stamens, and butterbur was well out on the bank side. I like the fact that one of the reasons this plant was given its name was for its very large leaves that continue to grow after the flowers have died and in days gone by used to be used to wrap butter to keep it cool.  I delighted in the close observation of the micro-landscape of a silver birch trunk and even enjoyed the challenge of trying to sketch it.

Beach Combing at Cleethorpes.

During March we enjoyed a couple of walks on the beach at Cleethorpes and also along Anthony's Bank to the Fitties Yacht Club.  We had low tides and so were able to get right out to explore the wrecks near the Buck Beck outflow.  Pussy willow and blackthorn blossoms were in full swing and we found our first coltsfoot in flower.  The beach is always fascinating and close up images of shells fascinate me, especiall at wide - angle to show the habitat: Haille Sandfort on occasions.  Similarly the dunes and saltmarsh always make rewarding beach combing expeditions, in this cares huge pieces of driftwood which would make wonderful garden sculptures, but would need a lorry to transport them home.  I wonder where they originated?