Category: Landscape

North Wales in May

Landscape, Photography

It’s been a wonderful Spring in north Wales, all the hedgerow flowers are out at once and swathes of bluebells carpet the hills. The weather was wet and windy, the sun never really appeared but the colours were glorious.

Near Nefyn looking north along the rocky coastline
Near Nefyn looking north along the rocky coastline
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Bluebells in abundance on the hills of the north coast of LLyn Peninsular
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Bluebells and gorse at the same time. Gorse flowers are apparently edible and can be used in salads, tea and to make a fruit wine. I only just found that out, so not tried them yet.

 

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Looking back towards Nant Gwrtheyrn from Morfa Nefyn.

At some time in the last few months the rain and wind caused havoc in an area of Forestry Commission pine forest on the ridge near Nant Gwrtheyrn, the pines cling to the steep slope on the north of the road but a combination of heavy rain and gale-force winds caused trees to loose their grip and become uprooted and many trees to actually snap. Whole hillsides have been devastated, wrought asunder.

Torn trees
Torn trees

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Caernarfon Castle

Landscape, Photography

Looking back at the massive Caernarfon Castle from the southern side of the river Seiont, you can imagine slipping back into a time when the castle was by far the largest building for miles around, only the church spires are taller. There are a few 3 and 4 storey Georgian houses peeping through the trees but its a scene that could be hundreds of years old, with the sprawl of the modern town out of sight and no vehicles.

carnaervon

Whitstable – with photographer friends

Landscape, Photography
Covert chip-eating on the beach, hiding beside a groyne - but who is he hiding from . . .
Covert chip-eating on the beach, hiding beside a groyne – but who is he hiding from . . .
Whitstable
Low tide, lots of interesting activity on the beach.
At last by late afternoon the solid grey sky began breaking up and shafts of silvery light played across the sea.
At last by late afternoon the solid grey sky began breaking up and shafts of silvery light played across the sea.
By 7pm the sky was warming up with touches of soft amber that would later become intensely red.
By 7pm the sky was warming up with touches of soft amber that would later become intensely red.
Just before the sun disappeared behind the distant strip of Essex, the view from Tankerton over the huts was pure colour, the grass turning russet.
Just before the sun disappeared behind the distant strip of Essex, the view from Tankerton over the huts was pure colour, the grass turning russet.
By 7:30 above the beach at Tankerton further to the East, the sky was really hotting up for a full-on sunset.
By 7:30 above the beach at Tankerton further to the East, the sky was really hotting up for a full-on sunset.
By 8pm I had retired to the bar for a drink, lending my camera to a friend to catch the last rays for me, brilliant job by James Snelling

Cardigan Bay early one morning

Landscape, Photography

A bright day in Spring, the seagulls are fussing around the cliffs, there’s dew on the grass, wide arcs of gossamer clouds and the sun just tipping over the dark mass of the hill beyond.

cardigan coastCardigan bay

dewy grasses

It is a wild coast. In calm weather a few dolphins or seals might come. If you stand on the coastal path in just the right place, you can look to the North East and the vast fields of caravans are hidden by the ridges and hedges that run down to the cliffs.

Early in the morning you can be almost entirely alone, there are fewer dog walkers than on the beaches and the caravaners get up late. So there’s just the seagulls for company.