1000/402: 28 March 2011: Light evenings

1000/402 a photo by nmonckton on Flickr.

Light has returned to our evenings. Hooray!! Went for one of our regular constitutionals around the block and was struck by the way the sunlight was playing into this field. Quite a challenge getting the exposure right in to the sun, but I think I cracked it.

And just as a bonus - the clouds were quite interesting later as well:

365/347: 01 February 2011: Winter Storm Over Arran

365/347: 01 February 2011: Winter Storm Over Arran
Originally uploaded by nmonckton

Trip to Hunterston today - typically the nicest weather was while I was travelling up to a deadline or indoors. Very dramatic light over Arran on the way back though. The views across the water south from Largs are always stupendous.

365/344: 29 January 2011: It’s Saturday morning, so it must be Silloth

Unlike last week’s freezing fog, this morning we have gorgeous sunshine. Went down to South Beach to take some photos of myself for my course, and thought I’d catch the sun on the dunes as well. Love the colours in this one.

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.

365/282: 28 November 2010: Snowy Bassenthwaite

Managed to get more time out in the snow today. Snow provides just too many opportunities – everything looks so clean and sparkly, so am posting more than one shot today. First off a shot from the lakeside next to the lay-by which is just after the dual carriageway section of the A66 eastbound between Cockermouth and Keswick.

And then, by way of contrast, a bit of detail. This is the kind of stuff I really like doing:

And finally something in town. Challoner Court in Cockermouth to be precise.

365/123: 22 June 2010: Wake Up! It’s a beautiful morning

I fact the kind of day that makes even a motorway service areas look pleasant and inviting. And to prove it – here’s the view from my window. 30 degrees in London when I got there – scorcio!

365/120: 19 June 2010: Cows and Calves at Sunset

Nice bucolic scene for today – not sure what breed these cattle are, but their orange colour is displayed to good advantage by the light at sunset.

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 Challenge Day 34 – 25 March 2010 – North Wales by Daylight

An excellent day with colleagues at Trawsfynydd, marred only by the fact that i didn’t leave site until the sun had gone behind the clouds, which is a crying shame as the Trawsfynydd to Bala road has some excellent scenery. Stopped near the dam at Llyn Celyn and took this photo of what i assume to be the water extraction point from the reservoir.

Have a feeling I’ll be back to this stretch of road for some more photos during the summer months.

365 Challenge – Day 22 – 13 March 2010 – A stab at black and white

A typical Saturday – spent the morning chasing around Carlisle, then decorating in the afternoon. The cloudy sky gave some particularly interesting light around sunset very golden colour, particularly on the trees across the road so I dashed out and popped of a couple of shots before it faded. Good job I moved quickly as it was gone in less than five minutes. Just for a change thought I’d have a go at a black and white conversion. Here’s the end result – I'm quite pleased with it.

A few more (colour) shots from this series can be found on the Around Cumbria page of my website.

365 Challenge – Day 17 – 08 Mar 2010 – It’s a gorgeous day

…and sadly I’m stuck indoors working from home, surrounded by the glories of Cumbria on a beautiful morning and afternoon. Skiddaw looks absolutely stunning from the front window – even if it is, as the estate agent would say – a distant view of the fells. Here’s today’s photo just to prove it – and to be unconventional I used a telephoto for a landscape shot. Pity about the pylon, but on balance I’d prefer to have electricity and pylons, than no pylons and no electricity.