Photographing my travels

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Photo workshop in Lake District

I drove from Wales to Lancaster stopping off at Martin Mere (no photos from there) and stayed in a chalet pod on the banks of the River Lune by Golden Ball Hotel.  I had difficulty finding it but after asking directions, a kind man told me to follow him in his car and showed me the way.  Luckily the tide was low as there is no access at high tide.  The pod was very comfortable but the food at the hotel was not good and no breakfast until 10 am.  I left early and eventually found breakfast at the services on the motorway!

Spent the day at Leighton Moss and finally saw my first bearded tits.

Early morning view from my chalet pod

Bearded  tit

Snipe

Drove up to Keswick on Tuesday to start the photo workshop with David Clapp.  The group met up at 11am and David went through what we would be doing.  Then into the mini van for a drive around the area.



After dinner, David looked at the sky and suggested we take the opportunity of clear skies and do some night photography.  We went up to Castlerigg stone circle and were lucky enough to see the aurora.  I never thought I would see it in UK.

Aurora at Castlerigg


Up early the next day to catch the mist over Derwentwater


Before the light





Back to the lakes

On Thursday it was a barns and waterfall day.


Three barns though there is a dispute about the middle one.

Aira Force waterfalls


Colourful leaves day on Friday.


In camera movement trees


In lens movement trees

Saturday was supposed to be a day for inside photography so we went off to Cathedral cave.  Of course the sun came out but so did the traffic so we wasted some time negotiating traffic and detouring because of an accident.  Still didn't spoil an excellent few days in good company.  The aurora and the mist were the highlights.

Off to Botswana on 24th November for the next post.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Photo workshop in Elan Valley

I was lucky to have the last space on David Morton and Nick Cable's workshop in the Elan Valley in Wales.  We stayed at Nannerth Fawr farm, Rhayader.  Up early the first day to view the beautiful reflections on one of the reservoirs then to Gigrin Farm to see the red kites feeding.  As usual, I learnt lots, not least, more about my 7D Mk11.  

The group taking images


A reflection

Reservoir abstract


Red kites

More tuition on Saturday.  Plenty of fun taking multiple exposures.

Quick snap of the view from Tolland at Nannerth Fawr farm


Lyn with cuddly dog

Multiple exposure


Multiple exposure

View from a bridge


Snap from the car of the many beautiful rainbows we saw

The reservoir with water coming down

A detour to disused mining buildings
I left the group early on Sunday and made my way to Lancaster to join another photo workshop in Keswick with David Clapp.  More of that on the next blog.