Lanscape moods

A high view from well above the village of Kinlochleven. The left side being the foothills of Glencoe and the rightside here being the foothills of Ben Nevis.

As the rains of the day departs we get a smouldering sunset, at least for some minutes. As I stand here taking this, my feet are sinking ever deeper into the waterlogged field. Ah well, I hope my efforts were worth while.

As the evening starts here in County Galway, Connemara, I show a photo from the front of our rented cottage. This has the rather typical weather that we experienced but also shows the wild grandeur of this part of the West Irish coast. To me, not the clear blue skies of idyllic far-away places but a scene that sets my mind in contentment mode.

The twelve pins or sometimes called the twelve Bens are a series of sharp-peaked quartzite summits and ridges located in the Connemara National Park. This view taken from near the minor road to Clifden from Roundstone.

Just when I was thinking that Autumn might quickly bypass me this year, a spell of sunshine lets me go find these wonderful colours in my local valley. Enjoy full size.

The Upper Wharfdale Valley between Kettlewell and Buckden is a feast of harmonic landscapes. The prevailing features are of its river, walls and barns. Here we see a few of its walls just a mile or so from the village of Kettlwell. Just below this scene is its iconic River Wharfe. Another feature of this steep glacial valley is its light as demonstrated here. Nothing too strong -just gentle relaxing shades where if you are lucky a stray deer or hare might break the spell. Enjoy, Herb

Strid Wood, part of the 'Bolton Abbey' estate in the Yorkshire Dales is always a delight to visit, especially in Autumn. Here we see the very bottom section of the famous narrow Strid, where the grand River Wharfe is forced into a rocky gully at times only a meter or so wide. A place of danger in the wrong weather but here we see the river just after the fast flow, now relaxing and reflecting the golden hues of the season. See Pip for the Strid itself

This months Ipernity SPC competition was 'fences', would you believe, and so here is one of my Lake District shots of 2014 from the beautiful, lesser know 'lake' of Ennerdale Water. (it came 6th, and so you can see the quality of these competitions.) More info on the Ipernity SPC: www.ipernity.com/group/2249054/discuss/190840 Ennerdale Water is the most westerly lake in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. It is a glacial lake, with a maximum depth of 150 feet, and is ½ mile to a mile wide and 2½ miles long. -Wikipedia Pip - HFF and enjoy the weekend, Herb

Buttermere, another gem of a lake in our dear Lake District. Here we see it in weather and lighting less than perfect so I shall have to leave it to your imaginations to just how gorgeous this scene is when it has perfect light, mirror reflections and snowy peaks. Did I take the boat? –no, only the snap but I did like this scene all the same. A recent SPC contender. Best viewed full screen. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb More SPC info : www.ipernity.com/group/2249054/discuss/191708

As autumn turns to winter we see here the classic results of cold ground temperatures alongside warmer air. Who cannot resist a run around with one's camera to try and capture such scenes as this. Taken on the Huddersfield canal at my local village of Greenfield in what promised to be the start of a wondrous morning of light and mist for me.

As autumn ends and winter approaches we are sometimes blessed here in the North of England with such scenes as this. Here we see a little walk that I have done a thousand times heading for the reservoirs. In this light we see sights and hear sounds that we often miss but what joy to accompany that as the sun peeks through and shows us the way forward. .... watch out for that branch there! Best viewed full screen. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb

Like a scene from the apocalypse, a lone figure walks through the mist. His mission is a mystery, mine.... to capture all this. As usual, best viewed full screen on black. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb

From Yeoman Hey reservoir in Winter. A golden misty morning at my favorite walking and photographic spot reveals another fine scene. This is the second reservoir of three in a row. It a gorgeous view when the water is still, but today I have some very rare mesmerizing low mist too. Enjoy full screen Wishing you all a Very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

After a night of torrential rain, the day starts wet and very windy with gust up to 70mph. Anyway, not deterred, we took to the beach that we could see clearly form our lounge window. As you can see, with the wind blowing spume and sand everywhere - this was not for the feint hearted with an expensive camera kit in hand. Forgive the slight softness of the picture here, I had to wipe my lens a few times to rid salt water and sand :) About a mile of this walk before we gave up and retreated for coffee back in the warmth.

Situated between Killarney and its South West coast sits this lake, which in blue skies and crisp air must be a real beauty. On this very wet September day though, a place for fishermen and mad photographers only. Moments after taking this, the heavens opened again and we could no longer see the lake at all. Best full screen on black.

The storms have gone - for the time being, but the moody lighting hangs about for some time yet. A lone walker chances the weather and it is another chance to get a much liked mood shot for me. Best enlarged. Pip

Winter has finally arrived with some snow on my home town of Oldham's high ground. A scene towards 'Austerlands' from Waterhead, where frost snow and mist start to blend together as one. A mighty cold morning, but as always with these, rewarding if one can only pluck up the courage to go out and capture it. Perfect on full screen.

Just minutes from my house sits an old railway line. Long since converted into a liner park walk. Lined with fences and trees, now and again it is struck by beautiful low side lighting. Mix that up with one of the first hoarfrost of the season and green leaves on the evergreens and we end up with a painting of our Winter here in Oldham. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb A must, for full screen viewing!