Ever get the feeling you are being watched!?

First I must start by saying sorry for neglecting my blog – so sorry! did you miss me? Time is flying by and it feels like I’m pulled in all directions at the moment!

Anyway I’ve been meaning to put these pics on for a month now because I love them so much – I was just doing some test shots in advance of a family location shoot and I felt I was being watched… after a bit of time I caught sight of my spy and here he is!…

Such a cute and friendly Squirrel who was either intrigued by what I was doing or just hungry! These are the best shots I managed to get before he was scared off by a few passers by who wandered over to me to find out why I had not moved for ages! Thanks!

He disappeared for a while and just as I was leaving Valley Gardens I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Can you see him…

He had obviously come to say goodbye to me! – I must pop back and see him again some time!

The beauty that is around us

Last weeks blog entry is a bit late, sorry! Busy times but I’m here now with half an hour to indulge myself!! – The first week of March prompted a walk around the area to take in the sun and spot the early signs of Spring. The Crocuses were out spreading a beautiful carpet of colour which made for some great photographs.

While I was photographing I noticed some quiet activity going on unnoticed by everyone who passed by – My first sighting this year of a couple of bees! Busy working their way around the pollen rich crocuses, no doubt getting drunk on the abundant nectar! Look carefully below to see them…

As you can see this little fellow above was having the time of his life – completely covered! and the one below I caught buzzing from one flower to another!

A fantastic walk with some great images to make as I went, makes you feel great to have such beautiful things going on around you! More images to follow this week as I discovered another cool creature on my day out!

The Great British Countryside

A truly amazing programme on BBC One last night , The Great British Countryside, with great aerial photography of some beautiful Yorkshire locations. The amazing Malham Cove and stunning Hawdraw Force which is my particular favourite – I spent an afternoon photographing at Hawdraw Force waterfall last year and found it’s power mesmerizing and I was driven to capture this in my photographs…

This was a perfect place to try out some experimental photography and with a bit of zooming and twisting of the camera while the shutter was open… voila!

There was also a perfect moment when the sun came round and hit the spray at the base of the waterfall..

I will be visiting again this year, so proud to live in this beautiful countryside!

Last of the snow (for now?!)

The snow came quickly and went quickly but there is still some evidence of it in the form of huge snowballs randomly scattered in parks and fields! It’s such a great part of winter when the children have the ‘great idea’ to roll the biggest snowball ever to make the biggest snowman ever! What makes me smile is they don’t always realise that it will get to  a certain size and it wont budge or roll any further! Even after recruiting more friends and parents to help give it one last try!

While out for the afternoon my boys found such a snowball and ‘boys being boys’ the next best thing was to destroy it! but before climbing on it to kick it to bits they actually decided to dig through it which made for some great photos when they broke through…!

Walk in the woods

A walk in the woods this winter can seem a bit dull but with a close look there are a few elements of nature that are starting to break up the dullness with flashes of colour. Also some interesting random shapes and patterns are emerging as the ice and snow starts to disappear.

First Daffodil is out!

First Daffodil out this morning! Bit early I think, but it has grown from a bulb in a pot in the house, not outside! A great thing to see out and about when the first few bulbs start to shoot and a blanket of colour appears. Signs that spring and summer are not far away along with happier faces on the streets! Plus great time of year for photography…

Yorkshire Sunrise

A lovely sunrise met my eyes this morning with a jet stream making its way through a break in the clouds. When I see a jet trail I always wonder where it is heading to, somewhere hot, somewhere cold, if I was onboard I certainly know my preference would be somewhere hot at the moment!!

Frosty morning, but still amazing

The big freeze did hit us last night. Freezing rain turned to ice on the roads and pavements but I do think we got off lightly in Harrogate versus York and other surrounding areas. Maybe Harrogate saved itself by not being quite as cold with everyone boiling kettles for the copious amounts of tea we all drink here ! ! Anyway this morning was fun getting out and about – but with a moment to stop and look around great beauty has been created by mother nature, all you have to do is look closely. Ice prickled leaves, shiny smooth topped stone walls, icicles off railings… even though we can moan, it is amazing!

turning a new leaf…

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Well, amongst work and life in general I’ve just started my first blog (which no doubt I will get better at!) Please don’t be too hard on my first entry! What a day to start blogging, cold outside, freezing rain … Continue reading →