Balloch - just a short stop when we first arrived towards the end of the day. View shows boats on the river Leven which flows into Loch Lomond
Tuesday 14th December.
A leisurely stroll through Balloch Castle country Park:
Followed by coffee at the Waterhouse Inn back in Balloch - we didn't mind too much that there were no vacancies at the Police Station!
Followed by lunch at Colquohon's Restaurant in Luss.
From here we drove into the heritage village of Luss, where unfortunately the shops were shut. The two images below were taken from the pier at Luss, looking out over the Loch and back at Colquohon's Restaurant
Wednesday 15th December.
Morning - Beautiful walk at Balmaha. Followed by lunch at The Oak Tree Inn
Afternoon walk at Rowardennan
Beautiful scotch pine at Rowardennan
Pete pointing out the sweets at the quirky hospitality station at the start of the walk up Ben Lomond (we didn't make it up to the top) I was quite happy to make it to this rather lovely waterfall. By now the light was fading so time to turn round!
Ptarmigan Falls
Helen looking ready to scale the mountain.
Thursday 16th December. We thoroughly enjoyed a short cruise on the loch:
Looking over at the luxurious Cameron House Hotel
Friday 17th December
Just time for a short stroll before breakfast. The images below are all either immediately outside the lodge we stayed in, or within a 5 minute walk.
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First stop: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn:
Next up, views of the area - i.e. the edge of the Brecon Beacons:
Moving onto Sgwd yr Eira:
Final stop on Saturday, the woodlands:
The light was beginning to fade and we were all tired so we headed to Abercrave Inn, where we were staying the night. The pub was warm and welcoming with great food, definitely somewhere to remember for next time.
SUNDAY
Just one location before we headed home. Sychryd Cascade:
This visited prompted me to search through my back catalogue to dig out the images I took back in 2014. Since I took a different route and took in a couple of other waterfalls I thought I'd add them to this blog:
Afon Mellte is the river.
Thanks for viewing
Joyce
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It didn't take me long to discover Gurushots (check out the app) which filled the gap nicely for me. Gurushots gives you stacks of photo competitions every day. The idea is you enter competitions, and, depending on how well your images perform, you move through the different ranks with the ultimate aim of becoming a photo'Guru'. Needless to say, this suited my ridiculously competitive (and some might say obsessive) nature perfectly.
I moved up through the ranks pretty quickly until I became a Master. Next step - to become a Guru! I was determined but prepared for this to take some time. To succeed I needed to:
1. Gain points in a number of competitions - this was a case of entering lots of competitions using a wide range of photos accumulated over the last few years. I had a great time finding images that met the different competition criteria
2. Have your images chosen by a Guru 5 times - these are called Guru picks. I have actually had 14 guru picks now. It is such a great feeling when a Guru choses one of my photographs!
3. Actually win a competition! I thought this would take forever and was amazed when, about 3 weeks later, my most recent flower photograph actually won.
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Here's my prize winner!
This image of an aster taken at Upton Gardens in Northamptonshire was Top photo winner in the competition called 'September's latest and greatest"
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These are my 'Guru picks'
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This shot has been Guru picked 3 times now - in the competitions 'Camouflage', 'Colourful animal kingdom' and '12 hours'
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Guru pick in 'Traditional windmills"
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Guru pick in 'Small animals'
6Peopleinthe rain
Guru pick in 'Its raining'
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Guru pick in 'Your portfolio'
Robin
Guru pick in 'Starts with an r'
Lighthouse at Amble
Guru pick in 'Lighthouse' (not the most original title lol)
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Guru pick in 'Starburst'.
Other images that have done particularly well are:
waterfall
This one finished 6th in 'Waterfalls'
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This surprised me by coming 15th in 'Risky' - just shows, its always worth having a go!
So now I'm a Guru which means I can actually set challenges and nominate Guru picks.
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Dawn on Southwold Pier - there's a storm brewing. (It was actually Storm Dennis)
Under the pier
Beach huts on Southwold Beach
The beach huts up by the pier
The iconic tearoom by Southwold Pier
A lone tree out at the Hen Reeds
Pebble Beach
Joyce
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Thought I'd share some of the photographs I took whilst in Ireland at the beginning of this month. Difficult to believe that you could still travel then! The area around Kerry and Dingle is peaceful and beautiful just the sort of images to help me get through these troubled times
Loads of love
Joyce
The Dingle Pensinula
Sharp rocks and Crashing Waves
Ballinskelligs Castle at dawn
Snow on the mountains
The Sleeping Giant
Down on the beach - you can still see the Giant out at the horizon
A quiet fishing harbour
Storm brewing over Inch Bay
More crashing waves
Views of The Ring of Kerry
Dawn at the grounds of Ross Castle
I disturbed the stag when I paused on a bridge overlooking the water. He just quietly walked away - and the other deer appeared out of the darkness. Magical!
Torc Waterfall, Kerry
Joyce
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]]>A few of you have asked me why I haven't done a blog since January and have also been wondering whether I'd stopped taking photographs!
The answer is no, I haven't stopped (perish the thought) - I've been busy preparing my panel in order to apply to become a Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society. This involves selecting 10 photographs which meet the criteria in terms of composition and the ability to use a variety of techniques. Sounds straightforward but it's actually a lot of hard work and it has taken me hours! As well as getting each photo as close to perfectly presented as I can, I've also had to take a range of images - abstract, close up, slow exposure, fast exposure as well as my usual landscapes. This has taken me well out of my comfort zone.
Anyway, my day of judgement was last Friday and I travelled to Bristol to watch 5 judges discuss my panel and make their decision. I cannot remember when I've been more nervous. Daft since I take photographs for pleasure but then again, nobody wants to fail!
I am absolutely delighted to say that I passed and now I'm just waiting to receive my certificate in the post.
I thought I'd share my 10 images with you, starting with the hanging plan which shows how they were hung for the judges to consider - the layout has to hang together and look good as a whole - that is part of the judgment.
Joyce James LRPS Hanging Plan (1)
1iris_
2Rock and stone
3Glencoe
4mouse
5Deer
6Peopleinthe rain
7LakeDistricttree
8sunriseandfrost Glencoe mountains
9sea abstract
10canal
Hope you like them.
Grateful thanks to my mentor Alan Ranger who supported and advised me throughout the process
All the best
Joyce
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Grateful thanks to James for driving us to every location and to Kirsten, Con and Simon for being great company xx
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This time I went for a week, my thinking being that with a bit of luck, I'd see snow. I was not disappointed - I also saw frost, rain, hail, wind and even some sunshine! In other words, typical weather for Scotland.
Here's a selection of my favourite images - I hope you like them!
Dawn at Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannoch Moor
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Buachaille Etive Mor
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Lagangarbh cottage below Buachaille Etive Mor. I love the way that the cottage is dwarfed by the malevolent looking mountain!
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Glen Garry - see how the river forms a map of Scotland?
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Looking down on Eilean Donan Castle.
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The boat on the side of the loch at Fort William, in front of a snow capped Ben Nevis in the distance
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Dawn Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannoch Moor. The sun rose behind me lighting up the snow capped mountain
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10 minutes later:
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About an hour later - and Just a 5 minute drive further down the road. Zooming in on the mountains
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Mid morning - another bay on Rannoch Moor
Black Rock Cottage
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Another, less well known waterfall backed by Buachaille Etive Mor
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Loch Tulla
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A lone tree on Loch Etive, Glen Etive
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Deer on the side of the road
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Another shot of Rannoch Moor - with the road running through it
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Glen Finnan Viaduct - as featured in the Harry Potter Films
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Loch Shiel
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Grateful thanks to Julian Elliott for his support, encouragement and friendship throughout the week.
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I thought I'd take you through my week day by day, sharing details of the locations alongside the images:
Monday:
Dawn at Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannoch Moor
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Monday afternoon:
Waterfalls at Inchree
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Tuesday - Rained heavily all day making photography nigh on impossible.
Kilburn Castle - this is my second time stood in the rain trying to get a decent shot of the castle
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Glen Orchy waterfalls - not a particularly good image. I've included it mainly for reference. I hope to return on a better day - maybe in the Spring or Autumn
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Wednesday
Morning
Lagangarbh cottage below Buachaille Etive Mor. I love the way that the cottage is dwarfed by the malevolent looking mountain!
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Weather still challenging so we decided to drive further afield. The next two images are 'drive by shots' The views from the side of the A87 are breathtaking - and well worth the ride.
Glen Garry - note that the river forms a map of Scotland
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Glen Shiel
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Looking down on Eilean Donan Castle. If we'd followed a track further up the mountainside we'd have come to the spot where Joe Cornish shot a famous image of the castle (Joe Cornish image of Eilean Donan)
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Wednesday evening
Boat on side of the loch at Fort William, in front of a snow capped Ben Nevis in the distance
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Thursday:
A beautiful day!
Morning
Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannoch Moor
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Black Rock Cottage
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Waterfall backed by Buachaille Etive Mor
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Thursday afternoon
Loch Tulla
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Friday morning:
Lone tree on Loch Etive, Glen Etive
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Waterfall on Glen Etive
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Deer on the side of the road
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Mountain view - with the road running through it
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Friday afternoon
Glen Finnan Viaduct - as featured in the Harry Potter Films
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Loch Shiel
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Grateful thanks to Julian Elliott for his support, encouragement and friendship throughout the week.
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Anna has been a source of inspiration to me, her knowledge of the countryside, her obvious passion for conserving it and her acute awareness of the beauty of the natural world have made every assignment an absolute pleasure. Thank you Anna - and good luck.
The team:
Anna
Tom
Tom
Jake
Jake
A few of the activities I've photographed under Anna's direction:
The Launch event at Ryton Pools back in May:
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The bat walk at Marton in May - I loved this and rushed out and bought my own bat detector. Anna's knowledge of bats is pretty impressive:
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Preparing the leaflet for the walk from Hilltop Farm:
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Identifying wild flowers and grasses:
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Exploring the woodland at Coombe Abbey:
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The archeology event at Hunningham in September:
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Enjoying Ryton Pools - whilst checking out the work done by Ben and volunteers to create corridors of blackthorn hedgerow to entice the rare brown harestreak butterfly:
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Walking with the Pam Britton Trust in October:
_
Coppicing at Wappenbury in November:
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Looking for signs of the old Binley Colliery at Claybrook Marsh in preparation for Anna's oral history project:
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Enjoying the beauty at Piles Coppice just a week ago:
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and finally, Christmas wreath making at Brandon today:
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What a talent - And all this is just a taster of the amazing work done by the Dunsmore Living Landscapes team.
Good bye Anna we will all miss you x
FRIDAY
First stop: Kilchurn Castle.
Here we spent a couple of hours grabbing images whilst waiting for the dreich to stop and the light to improve. This was a key activity throughout most of the weekend. If you like 'moody' photography then you just might appreciate some of these:
From there we moved to Loch Tulla: Beautiful to look at but tricky to photograph - especially in the rain!
The light was starting to fade by now (days are so short at this time of year) so just time for a few 'drive by' shots on the way back to the hotel.
SATURDAY
Up bright and early to catch sunrise at Castle Stalker. Not the best morning ever but still worth getting up for:
Next stop: Clachaig Falls. Gorgeous views but surprisingly challenging to capture. I really wanted the trees to stand out but they insisted on blurring into the background - anyway, see what you think ..
We spotted this shot as we drove past. By now, the sun had decided to come out. The sunlight here is very bright, but nonetheless I still think the image is worth sharing if only for the contrast between dark and moody and bright, glaring light!
Next we headed put across the moor and came across the beautiful 'monarch of the Glen' - it was a 'pinch me did I really just see that moment!' Anyone who knows me knows how much I love deer so won't be surprised that I found it absolutely magical.
Just time for one more destination before the light disappeared:
SUNDAY
The day started off reasonably bright:
and I was able to capture these reflections in the water at the picturesque Glencoe Lohan.
However, it wasn't long before the clouds rolled in and settled, reducing visibility to just what was in the foreground. This was followed by rain for most of the day.
Stunning Buachaille Etive Mor - weather was pretty foul by now!
Apologies, I like both of these shots of the famous Blackrock Cottage, so I leave it to you to decide which works the best (if either!)
Final shot of Lochan Na H'Achlaise taken during a brief break in the clouds before heading back to Glasgow to catch the flight back home.
All in all, a memorable weekend and I look forward to returning to Glencoe, hopefully in a different season. The views are incredible - and the weather challenging but always worth it.
A very special place
Sincere thanks to Alan Ranger (as always), and also to Simon, Kirsten, James and Connor for their friendship and great company x
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Autumn is here - and I'm out and about with my camera!
Last weekend saw me on a three day workshop with Alan Ranger up in Northumberland. The weather was wild and windy but actually exhilarating and overall quite photogenic.
See what you think:
Friday afternoon:
A grey day at Craster
Clouds racing across Dunstanburgh Castle
Looking back at Craster Quay
Craster Quay
Friday evening:
Approaching Dunstanburgh Castle from the beach.
Blowing a gale!
The amazing sandstones on Spittal Beach - choose which version you like best .. I can't decide
Saturday evening:
Bamburgh Castle
one lonely beach hut!
Autumn colours.
Acknowledgement and thanks to Alan Ranger for his continued support
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Well, there's a reason for that! I've been working for the Dunsmore Living Landscape team, a Heritage Lottery Funded project run by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, taking images of the Warwickshire countryside for them to use in their publications including their website:
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/dunsmore
Incidentally, it is the Dunsmore Living Landscape Open Day on Saturday (tomorrow) at Ryton Pools. See the website for details - be great to see you there:
https://www.exploredunsmore.org/events/woodland-open-day/
Here are some of the places I've been visiting and the images I've taken. All of the sites have free, open access to the public - and are great places to take children.
Views from the top of Brinklow tump at sunrise"
Looking down on Brinklow as I walked back from the castle site:
The actual castle site:
Warwickshire woodland - Wappenbury and Ryton Wood:
Practising mindfulness at the edge of Wappenbury Wood
Moving on to Ryton Wood - which is huge! I need to go back ...
More images of Ryton Wood - this time taken from the trail that goes from Ryton Pools. This area of woodland is truly magical!
And now a couple taken on a stroll by the river at Hunningham - I parked at the pub, crossed the road and voila! The countryside opened up before my eyes:
Finally, (for now) here's a few of Warwickshire hedgerows - I remember once doing a whole project on a hedgerow for a Year 3 class!
I hoped you've enjoyed these images - and feel inspired to get out there and enjoy the beauty of our countryside. We really are blessed.
Joyce
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]]>On 10 December I woke up to a Winter Wonderland! The snow continued to fall throughout the day and then froze so that throughout Tuesday and Wednesday the snow was still there.
As soon as it was light I wrapped up warm, donned wellies and set out. All of the images posted below were taken within a 30 minute walk from home. It's amazing what is actually right on your doorstep!
The cemetery over the road looked like something from a Dickensian scene
This curl of ice down at the canal caught my eye.
Down at the canal the snow was swirling and whirling make photography particularly challenging!
I must admit I didn't envy these hardy souls - mind you, they might have been saying that about me as I trudged through the snow. That said, I was having a great time so perhaps they were too.
and my garden was transformed!
That just leaves me to say:
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
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Here are a few of my favourite images:
Classic shot of Rydal Water. Possibly not as interesting as the image I shot last time I stood at the same spot, back in February, when the lake was calm and the mountain was reflected in the water. Just shows what a change of light can do. (Image below taken February 2017)
This image was taken from just a few metres further round the lake. I just love the shapes of the trees!
Rydal again - this time looking over to the other side of the road
Standing on the bridge looking over at Harrop Tarn
The winding stone wall at Harrop Tarn
The above two images were both taken at sunrise from the edge of Derwent Water looking over to Friars Crag. The first, about an hour before the second.
And here's the same location, but back in February:
The image below was taken standing in almost the same place, but turning away from the lake to the cottage by the water. Idyllic spot!
The boathouse at Derwent - last weekend ...
And Derwent back in February:
And finally, a couple of shots of trees shot last weekend. Followed by a few more from back in February.
November ...
February ...
Looking at these - I can't wait to go back!
Expect another Lake District blog in the Spring!
Joyce
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I was there yesterday and once again they were putting on a show.
Here's a magnificent stag in full bellow as he takes a stand in a commanding position on the top of the ridge.
The Monarch of Bradgate Park
Your time will come little chap! But not for about 5 years!
The rut actually takes places early in the morning and at dusk. For the rest of the day they rest and recover. The successful stags often stay with their harem whilst the others lay down on their own.
Note the old stag below has lost an eye! He also has scars running all down his body.
What amazes me is that, once the rut has finished the very same stags who have inflicted such damage on each other live in harmonious groups for the rest of the year.
I love the 'hat'. No wonder he's a hit with the ladies!
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I say 'she' quite deliberately because I've checked on google (as you do). She's definitely female because she has an orange streak on the bottom of her beak - known as her lipstick. You can see it if you look carefully at the underside of her beak.
I was so captivated by her beauty that I went back to the same spot today, (Saturday 5 August) at about the same time. Lo and behold I saw another kingfisher. I assumed it was the same one until I got home and downloaded the images onto my computer and saw that it was a quite different bird! Here he is:
The obvious difference is that he is quite a different colour. Now, according to google, the male and the female are virtually identical - well these two certainly aren't! Maybe one is a juvenile? (The female is certainly smaller which might mean she's younger).
Anyway, I found it fascinating - is it just me?
Here's a few more images taken on the two days - I hope you like them. If you do, why not pop along to Brandon Marsh to see if you can see a live one? If you do, take refreshments and be prepared to wait. I don't mind that, I find it very peaceful - I think it does you good to sit quietly and just 'be' every once in a while - I think its called mindfulness.
Incidentally, yes, it was pouring with rain today - that is rain that you can see on the images. Fortunately, I was very cosy in the bird hide.
I spent the afternoon watching and waiting. Most often the butterflies flew past me and the grasshoppers hopped away before I could focus the camera but I didn't care a jot, I just loved the experience of seeing it all and honing my senses to see so much more!
- “The camera makes you forget you’re there. It’s not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much.”
— Annie Leibovitz
One word of caution- it is so tempting to lunge after the butterfly or bug, trampling through the meadow as you go, but you mustn't, you'll damage the habitat if you do. Just watch and wait for the wildlife to come to you or simply wander further down the path and enjoy the serenity of the scene.
I thought I'd share some photos, not because they're masterpieces, but to maybe share my wonder at the variety of wildlife in one field left to grow wild and my delight, once again in our beautiful countryside.
June has been all about photographing flowers - in particular poppies!
Imagine my delight when I discovered a whole field full of them about five minutes drive from home! I have no idea whether they've been an annual treat that's been there for years - if so, how come nobody told me?!
Regardless, it's likely that this will be the last year as a new road will cut straight through the field later this year. Funny how things that appear timeless suddenly change.
I've visited these local poppies on numerous occasions over the last couple of weeks. I've found their beauty calming and I've enjoyed the solitude. The field is not well know so I'm usually alone. I've sought this calm, peaceful idyll as, along with the whole of the country, I've been rocked by the terrible tragedies played out on our television screens.
My other poppy experience has been an hour's drive away at Kidderminster. This was a planned workshop led by my mentor Alan Ranger. Interestingly, this particular field draws the crowds. Yet, it didn't inspire me as much as my local one. Maybe the crowds were the problem. Still a good evening though - and the tutorage on post production was invaluable (as always). Thanks Alan!
Next month's main event will be photographing the delphinium fields in Worcestershire - so lovers of flower photography - watch this space!
Joyce
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My photography website is now ready to view!
Apologies to those of you who were sent a link to a draft website a week ago - this is the new (hopefully) much improved version.
The site will evolve over time and I will add galleries as I visit new places.
My current obsession is poppies, so if you like poppies you might enjoy the recent images and also some new additions in the Flowers Gallery. The secret poppy field in Hillmorton, Rugby is a delight to me. This field will be part of a new road by next summer so it is also a source of some sadness. Things change!
You will notice that the site has a commercial aspect, please contact me to discuss your requirements
I welcome feedback - please let me know if there are particular aspects you like and also suggestions for improvements. Please also share with any of your friends who show an interest in my work.
Joyce
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