More trees in the hedgerows

This week I am continuing the theme of trees in the hedgerows with another selection of photographs. When I lived on my previous smallholding in Wales, I liked to wander over the fields at different times of the year and day to take photographs of the trees and hedgerows. I tended to take most photographs of the same few trees as I considered them photogenic although other trees looked good at different times.

The first image shown above is a group of 4 trees in a single hedgeline. This is one of the few photographs of the 4 trees together although I had previously taken photos of the trees in
pairs or singly. I like this image for the sense of space and tranquility it presents.

The second image is one of my favourite trees. This is a single specimen growing in an old hedgeline along with some scruffy gorse bushes. I have taken this photograph from low down so as to eliminate the background landscape so there is just the sky and clouds. I nearly chose this image for my 'Picture of the Week' instead of the one above - it was a close call.




The third photo shows another single tree specimen in the same hedgeline as the one above - they are only about 30-40 yards apart. Taken on a different day, this one has a clear blue sky for the background.




More pictures can be seen in the environment/ natural history gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: Canon EFS 17-85mm IS
Exposure: typically 1/800 @ f11
Settings: ISO200 AWB

Trees in the hedgerows

This week I have opened a new section in my Environment/Natural History Gallery for trees. The first album that I have created in this section is for trees that are in the hedgerows and fields. Currently, these photos are all taken at our previous smallholding in Wales.

The first photo, shown above, is a single tree growing in the hedge line at the eastern boundary of the smallholding. This tree is growing amongst a lot of gorse bushes which is quite common on the smallholding and in the locality. The local village (or rather hamlet) is Tynreithin which translates from the Welsh to Gorse Cottage. This view is roughly to the east towards the Cambrian Mountains which are just discernible in the distance (about 2 miles away).

The second photograph shows a small hawthorn amongst the gorse again. I like this photo because of the solitary nature of the tree and absence of a landscape for the background - just blue sky and a few clouds lower down.





This third photograph was taken early in the year before the leaves came on the tree. It shows a single tree in a field boundary with a few sheep grazing nearby. This was taken in a northerly direction. Again, I like this one for the lack of a landscape background, although in this image there is a lot more grey cloud.




More photographs can be seen in the environment gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: Canon EFS 17-85mm IS
Exposure: typically 1/400 to 1/500, F11 to f9
Settings: ISO200 AWB

Lake at Talley Abbey

I have visited Talley Abbey a couple of times now. It is one of the three that I have visited in Wales - the others were Strata Florida and Tintern. Of the three, Talley is my favourite.

Next to the ruins of the abbey is an old church and graveyard - I think this has a wonderful setting, as I have tried to show here. Adjacent to the church and abbey is a quite picturesque lake. This first photo shows the lake in a tranquil setting, surrounded by hills with sheep grazing peacefully by its edges.

This second photograph was taken from the churchyard showing the view across some of the gravestones to the lake. What a magnificent final resting place this makes.




This third image shows more of the graves with the lake forming a backdrop. This is a lovely, quiet rural location. The monks that built the original Abbey chose a good location!



More photos can be seen in the 'Images from Wales' Gallery.

A second visit to St. David's Cathedral.

A few weeks ago we visited St. David's Cathedral for the second time. The weather was a lot brighter for this visit, with bright sun and blue sky. This gave far better outdoor photographs than for my previous visit last year.

The first photograph was taken from near the main entrance and shows the cathedral in its entirety. I hope this conveys some impression of the size and majesty of the building. Impressive when you consider the building was started in 1181.

In the second image, below, I show the decorative ceiling of the tower above the choir in the centre of the church. I like this shot due to the unusual angle that I took the photograph. I was worried about the sunlight streaming through the window arches in the tower spoiling the photo, but I must have been lucky as there are no obvious streams of light.



In the third image, I show some of the decorative stonework on one of the arches. Without modern tools, the stonemasons have incorporated rich designs into the structure.



Outside, there were also old gravestones lined up against a wall, some dating back to the early 1700s. These had a lot of lichens slowly covering the surface. Below I show one example with more in the gallery.



I have added about half of the photos I took into the 'Images from Wales Gallery' - I hope to add the rest next week.

Technical Details:
Camera: Canon EOS 350D
Lens: Canon 17-85 IS
Outside Exposure: Typically 1/25o @f13
Outside Settings: Auto WB, 200ISO
Indoor Exposure: Typically 1/30 F5.6
Indoor settings: Auto WB 800ISO

Light snow

Unusually, we have had no snow to speak of this past winter, just a light powdering on a couple of occasions. From a distance it looks like a heavy hoar frost. However, it is still quite picturesque which (I hope) you can see from this selection of photographs. They were all taken at the same time, fairly early in the morning - an hour later the sun had melted most of it.

The first photo above is a view from my smallholding in Wales looking northwards over neighbouring farmland. The snow is just enough to lighten the green grass without becoming completely white.



In the second image below, this was taken from the same viewpoint but looking further to the east. In the distance, you can see that the higher hills (the Cambrian Mountains) are more white where they got a slightly deep covering of snow. This too soon melted.

The third photo below is looking south across our garden in a southerly direction. From the shadows you can see that the sun is still low in the sky, but here there is still only a light covering of snow on the higher hills.




I have often mentioned, and shown images of, the Cambrian Mountains. For those who are used to more impressive mountain ranges, these are little more than hills. The reason they are so small for mountains is their age and they have been word down over the aeons by the weather and the ice ages. The Cambrian period in geology, and the Cambrian explosion (of different life forms) take their name from these hills. Many early geologists either came from Wales or studied the land of Wales.

More photos can be seen in this gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS
Exposure: Typically 1/250@f11 to 1/340 @f14
Settings: ISO200, Auto White Balance

A visit to Tintern Abbey

This week I made a visit to Tintern Abbey. This, like many monastic establishments in the UK, is in ruins due to the "Dissolution of the Monasteries" instituted by Henry VIII in the 1530s. This one is in better condition than many others. Tintern is situated in the southern part of the Wye Valley (itself an extremely attractive part of the country) on the Wales-England border.

As the weather has been rather poor lately, I chose a day when the forecast looked quite bright for that part of the country. As it is some 2½ hours drive away, I relied on the forecast. However, it was a very dull, cold blustery day.

I must admit that, for some reason, I did not feel very inspired on the day. But when I got home and started reviewing the photos, they turned out better than I expected, although I would not call them impressive. The picture shown above is my favourite from the day. Both when I took it and when I look at it, I can almost feel the monks walking by.

The second photograph shown below is to show the arches through the arches through the arched window. This works surprisingly well although if the lighting conditions were brighter, I think the image would look better.




In this third photograph, you can see the clouds of the dull day. The picture gives some idea of the scale and structure of the abbey complex. I am awed when you think of the effort that went into building it all in the days when everything was manual labour and the roads where just mud tracks.



More photos can be seen in the "Wales Gallery"

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS 350D
Lens: Canon EFS 17-85 IS
Exposure: Typically 1/10 to 1/15 @ F11
Sensitivity: ISO400
Support: Most were taken using a monopod for support.

A red sunrise from the smallholding

This week I feature another set of photographs showing the dawn from our smallholding showing the view over the Cambrian Mountains. It is not often we get a dawn like this with a rich red sun underlighting the light cloud cover. But when we do, the show is fantastic.

The first photo above shows the reds and yellows of the clouds with a small reflection in the ornamental pond in the garden (the white thing on the right is the dovecot). The second image below is a wide format shot concentrating more on the wonderful colours in the clouds - they really were that stunning!



This third photograph concentrates just on the clouds, showing the intricate patterns reflecting the red sunlight. I could look at these for hours...




These photographs were all hand-held, supporting the camera on a window frame.
Camera: EOS350D
Lens: EFS 17-85mm IS
ISO: 200
White Balance: Daylight
Exposure: f5.6. Shutter varied from 1/13 to 1/50sec

More sunsets

I am having a 'thing' about sunrises and sunsets at the moment. This week I am showing some more images that have been loaded into the gallery. The first photo is a similar shot as one I showed in the previous post, but without the birds but with more foreground and dark clouds. For this shot, I was standing on a hedge bank, leaning on a telephone pole, overlooking a neighbours property. This was taken in May.


The second photograph was taken from just a few yards away on a different evening, but pointing to the right in a north-easterly direction. The colour of the sky was totally different - pale pinks and lilacs.





This third image was taken from the same point as the first but a few months later in August. This has the same yellow and golds, but different cloud patterns give a different feel - there is no heavy cloud overhead.


More photographs can be seen in the gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: EF 17-85mm IS lens

Sunsets

I have just made a start going through a number of photographs taken at dawn or dusk. Today I am featuring a few photographs taken at sunset or dusk from my smallholding in mid Wales.

The first photo, shown above, is the sun low in the sky taken on an August evening. I like the pinkish-yellow tone - it is almost monochromatic. This photo was taken from one of the lower fields looking roughly west towards slightly higher ground.



This second photograph was taken from a neighbour's field adjacent to out smallholding. It shows the sky after the sun has dipped below the horizon. I think the two birds flying past add interest to the shot.The view is roughly north-west and was taken in late May.

The third image, below, was taken early one November. I like it for the almost symmetrical aspect with the lone shrub on the horizon. The pink sky is genuine - it was what made me take the photograph in the first place.



More photographs can be seen in the gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: EF 17-85mm IS lens

Strata Florida Abbey

This week I am featuring the ruins of Strata Florida Abbey in Mid-Wales. It is thought that the Abbey was founded around 1164 A.D. and was due to the patronage of the Lord Rhys (many of his descendants were buried there). This monastery increased in power and authority across Wales with farms belonging to it being spread out across the Welsh countryside. Its influence was felt throughout Wales and it sought influence over other monasteries such as that at Talley (which I have featured before).

The first photograph above shows the entrance doorway. It must have been quite impressive when the abbey was complete. The second image below shows the entrance door from inside the abbey. You can get an idea of the thickness of the walls from the window to the left.




This third photo shows what remains of the pillars along the knave that supported the roof. You still get a feeling for the strength and power of the stonework. It is amazing to think that these structures were built by hand without any powered machinery or tools that we would think of as being essential these days.



More photos can be seen in the 'Images from Wales' gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: EF 17-85mm IS lens
Sensitivity: ISO400
Exposure: varies but typically at 1/250 @F16.
Lighting: Natural light. Light to medium cloud sometimes with the sun shining though.

Another fine day at Cors Caron (Tregaron Bog)

This week we went for another walk over Tregaron Bog (Cors Caron) which is an ancient peat bog that is now run as a nature reserve. We were lucky with the weather as it was quite a clear sunny day with a bright, but low, autumn sun.

The first picture is a view through some trees across the width of the bog. I like this image because of the contrast between the blue sky and orange-brown grasses. The bare trees give a feeling of the isolation possible in this part of Wales.

The second photograph was taken moments later when a line of horses galloped by in the middle distance. Some of the local farms have grazing rights on the bog and horses are often overwintered on the bog. Often the horses are Welsh Cobs - a hardy breed that can stand the conditions.




I like this third image more due to the colours rather than the composition. I think the particular shades of blue and green complement each other well. These have not been enhanced - the colour is that 'out of the camera'. On this occasion I used a polarising filter which may have improved the saturation of the colours.



You can see more of the photos in the Cors Caron section of the Images from Wales gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: EFS 17-85mm IS hand held, Circular Polarising filter
Sensitivity: ISO200
Exposure: Aperture Priority - Mostly f8, exposure times typically 1/160sec.
Lighting: Natural light.

The Ystwyth River above Cwm Ystwyth

Last week I wrote about my recent visit to the mine workings near Cwm Ystwyth. Whilst there, I did not concentrate just on the mine workings, I looked around for other photgraphic opportunities.

The photo above was taken by the river adjacent to the mine workings. The river flows down one side of the valley with the bulk of the mine workings on the other side. As you can see, at this point the river is little more than a stream, especially during a drier spell as it had been. At this location we are not far from the high boggy moors in the Cambrian mountains where this, and other, rivers originate.

The photo above is taken looking downstream, partially into the light. You can just see some old mine buildings and spoil heaps to the right of the Vally in the distance.

The second photograph below is looking at the river upstream. The river winds from side-to side as it flows down the valley. I have tried to capture the dark metallic blue colour of the water. The blue sky and low sun gave the water a most attractive colour.



As a contrast, this third photo was taken on the way to Cwm Ystwyth and shows the river valley lower down. A quiet pastoral setting amongst the higher hills forming the Cambrian mountains.



More photos can be seen in the Images from Wales gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: EFS 17-85mm IS hand held
Sensitivity: ISO200
Exposure: Aperture Priority - Mostly f11, exposure times typically 1/250sec.
Lighting: Outside - Natural light.

Bettws Bledrws - a hamlet in Mid Wales

Bettws Bledrws is a small hamlet in Ceredigion, Mid-Wales that I often drive through, but rarely stop at. Last week was an exception. We were visiting a private garden in the village that was open for the day for charity under the National Gardens Scheme .

To get to the garden - attached to a small private residence, we had to park off the main road a few hundred yards away and walk back to the house. In doing so, we passed two nice looking buildings.

The first one shown above is (if I have got my translation from the Welsh Language correct) 'The Old Rectory'. I thought this was a lovely looking building with fine windows and well maintained grounds. I would have liked to take more photos, but it appeared to be a private, rather than a public building. This picture was taken from the entrance.

The second picture below shows a church at the edge of the village. Again, I would have liked to take more photographs, but the gates were locked and I do not trespass on private property. I had to take this photograph through the wrought iron gates.




You can see more photographs from the area in my Wales Gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: Canon 17-85mm IS zoom lens
Sensitivity: ISO200
Lighting: Natural light - it was an overcast day so the shutter speeds were around 1/160 to 1/200sec, aperture F8 to F13.
Other: Handheld.

Bluebells at Crosswood

One of the best places that I have found locally to see the classic British Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is at a place called Trawscoed (Crosswood in English) in Ceredigion in Mid-Wales. This year these were at their best in late April and Early May. If you are in the area at the appropriate time they are well worth a visit - I paid several visits to ensure I had some good pictures.

Trawscoed lies along the banks of the Ystwyth River and walking along this river, you will see patches of bluebells at other locations - the first picture above was taken at one such location.


The second picture below was taken along a path by the river Ystwyth at Trawscoed. This shows the classic British deciduous woodland setting of a path bordered by the wonderful drifts of blue flowers. Most of the trees are Beech, with some Oak. Absolute magic.




This third picture shows the complete plant. Notice how the top of the plant bends over as the bluebells grow only on one side of the stem. Because they are a protected species, Spanish Bluebells have been imported for people to have in their gardens. Unfortunately, in some parts of the UK, these are now displacing the native species. The imported variety has the flowers growing all around the stem so that they do not hang like the British version does.




More photos of the bluebells can be seen in the environment gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: Canon 17-85mm IS zoom lens
Sensitivity: Mostly ISO200
Lighting: Natural light. Some photos were taken on overcast days but most on sunny days, hence the dappled light.
Other: A monopod was used for many pictures to help steady the camera.

Waves in Mwnt Cove

Last weekend, just before New Year, we decided to take our daughter to a small cove on the Ceredigion Coast. This cove is a place called Mwnt, and can only be accessed along narrow lanes. To get to the beach you have to go down a number of steps as it is surrounded by low cliffs.

Although the weather was quite heavily overcast, with some rain coming down with the gusty wind, it was quite pleasant to visit - we were not the only ones, there were about 6 cars in the small car-park.

Due to the strong winds from the previous few days, the seas were quite lively with waves between 3 and 6 feet. What was interesting was that every few minutes, a set of larger waves came along making more spectacular splashes against the rocks.

What I also noticed, was that waves were reflected off the cliffs on the southern side so that they travelled across the cove perpendicular to the incoming waves. At certain times, every couple of minutes, these collided with the incoming waves and broke to produce a spiral of surf. The two waves breaking upon each other corkscrewed the surf generating a spiral of white water. Each one only lasted a second or two, but the effect was quite fascinating to watch.

With the dull conditions, it was difficult to photograph, but below I show a selection - the full set can be seen in my gallery http://www.pmstudios.co.uk/Miscellaneous/Seashore/misc.html - look for the two Mwnt albums.

This first picture shows the waves crashing on the northern cliffs of the cove:



This second photograph shows the spiral surf effect:



The final picture is a panoramic of the southern cliffs with another spiral surf: