1000/380: 06 March 2011: Another Solway Sunset

A bit of an odd sunset today. Bank of haze over the Solway, and the sun dropped below the cloud for no more than about 10 minutes, during which time it looked like this. The sky was a delightful magenta to go with it – difficult to beat really.

1000/379: 05 March 2011: Oystercatchers

I love oystercatchers – they’re eye-catching, big enough to see easily and they remind me of the gangs of boisterous teenagers that people try to ban from shopping centres. Their excited piping is the sound of the seaside to me – much more so than the sound of gulls which I always associate with human rubbish and slightly iffy tourist attractions. And even though they have a giant orange marlin spike on the front of their face they aren’t aggressive like gulls.

They are probably my favourite bird and I could watch them for ages – but they're beggars to photograph. Their excitability is a measure of their nervousness, so it took me ages to sneak up on this lot – and they flew off almost immediately as I made an unguarded movement. Maybe I’ll try again next Saturday.

For the observant there’s also a couple of redshank in the back row.

365/360: 14 February 2011: Night-time Solway

Was going to do a cheesy shot of a Me to You bear holding a heart to celebrate Valentine’s Day but couldn’t bring myself to press the shutter. went for a walk in the cold air instead and took this shoot in the dark.  Had to do quite a bit of work on it to bring out the natural colours – but I think it was worth the effort. Only 5 days left to a full year.

365/323: 08 January 2011: Solway Sunrise (for a change)

The Solway is famous for its sunsets but the view across to Criffel can look pretty stunning at sunrise as well if the weather is right. This was taken on the beach about 2/3 of the way to Skinburness. Very icy – had thought to walk across the pebbles but they were all coated with a thin sheen of ice - twisted my knee and nearly broke an ankle.

365/289: 05 December 2010: Solway Snow and Sunset

Ok – gonna try a panorama – this is quite a big picture so you’ll need to open it by clicking on it to see it at all well. Taken this evening in rather ‘fresh’ conditions. the original file came in at 178 megs after I stitched together the nine shots I used to make this. Rest assured this one is considerably smaller.
If you want to see a much bigger version follow this link
to my Flickr pages

365/118: 17 June 2010: Crosscanonby Saltpans

3Now here’s a conundrum. The best view of Crosscanonby saltpans is from the top of the small hill opposite, which by chance also hosts an old Roman fort – Milefortlet 21.  For reasons which I think are to do with preventing petty vandalism and probably saving money the steps from the car park to the top of this hill have been removed. This means that access to the fort is available only to those who know it’s there and are prepared to take a risk. Such is life – i guess it’s the price we pay for morons.
But what I struggle to understand is why – given that they’ve made access impossible – the Council have now erected a ruddy great road sign announcing ‘Milefortlet 21’. I realise there have been a couple of tragic deaths in the area in recent years, so I would fully understand a warning sign – but why advertise an obviously interesting feature that no-one can get to? Anyone?

And I can’t leave this post without mentioning that the sunset was excellent this evening even by Solway standards – here’s a couple more shots - ‘cos I’m feeling generous :0)

365/104: 03 June 2010: Another Solway Sunset

Went for a walk in Maryport this evening – or more accurately along the prom then back along the top. Nice warm evening and the light as the sun was setting was absolutely stunning – took about 50 pictures in an hour. Just love the golden hues you get at this time of the evening when there is a little bit of haze about.

365 Challenge Day 49 – 09 April 2010 – A Solway Sundown

Can’t really call it a sunset as the sun was behind the clouds out of shot.  Still decent views available from Silloth, in spite of the best efforts of the wind farm down the Solway.

Didn’t look quite like this when I took it, but it’s amazing what a little tweak in the contrast can do. Have left the watermark off this one because it spoiled it completely.