The One That Got Away

I visited the Washington Wetlands Centre (http://www.wwt.org.uk/washington) this afternoon and spent a very cold hour within the woodland hide. The usual suspects were to be seen, a blackbird or two, bullfinch, chaffinch, various tits and the ubiquitous Robin. Rumour has it that a tree creeper was spotted, but not by me.

Lulled into a false sense of security, I completely missed the opportunity when a Sparrow Hawk plunged into the scene, briefly alighted on a branch and was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Needless to say, the locals all scattered.






I used my aged Vivitar 285 flash to take these photographs. The birds don't appear to be bothered by flash, whereas movement or noise does disturb them.

Canon 450D Sigma 100-300 f4 Vivitar 285 flashgun.

First post of 2010 - Sledging down Worm Hill

Those who know the song, The Legend of the Lambton Worm, might also know the location of the hill around which this mythical creature wrapped itself three times.



Canon 5D 24-70L

Last Posting of 2009 - Stormy sea at Roker

I have seen larger waves breaking over the pier, sometimes they are as high as the lighthouse, but the combination of a boiling sea within the harbour and the spray over the pier caught my eye here. People have been swept away to their deaths from Roker pier, despite there being a gate preventing access when the weather is rough.



Canon 5D Sigma 100-300 f4

Alamy image BGH2MM

Grasmere in Winter

We braved the weather to drive over to the Lake District on Monday. The roads were clear of snow until we reached Keswick, the road to Grasmere had been ploughed and gritted but was rather more interesting!

I was not expecting to see that both Grasmere and Rydal Water were partially frozen over, making for some interesting part reflections.







The following shot is of Rydal Water.



If you click on this last image you will see the form of a jet plane and its trail more clearly in the enlarged view.



Canon 5D 24-70L and, last shot, 70-200L f4.

Bishop Auckland on Boxing Day

Escomb church dates back to Saxon times (AD670), the weather was miserable as we approached, but the sun made a very brief appearance as I took the photo.

The town of Bishop Auckland takes its name from its association with the church as it is the location of the home of the Bishop of Durham. This image shows the entrance to the 300 hectare park associated with that person's residence. There is a lovely walk around the estate, which, in the snow, took on a magical quality. I have lived in the NE for most of my 59+ years, but I discovered this walk for the first time yesterday.

You can just see the moon to the right of the gatehouse roof.



The early bishops enjoyed hunting within the estate, and this Deer House was constructed for the purpose of increasing the stock.


Despite the appearance, the cold was relinquishing its grip and the air temperature warm enough to do without gloves. This photograph does not do full justice to the actual scene with the sun's reflections sparkling on the snow.


Canon 450D various lenses.

Snow in the North East

You don't often see snow on the beach at Roker, but there it is. This monolithic sculpture marks the end of the coast to coast cycle route. The positions of the planets are engraved on its surface.

Canon 450D Sigma f2.8 24mm



I went to Durham looking for master shots of the cathedral in the snow but there was a haziness in the air and some stubborn cloud cover, which prevented my taking the photos that I wanted. The reflected light beneath the arches of Elvet bridge provided some compensation.

Canon 5D 24-70L

Snow and Highland Cow at Penshaw

It seemed docile enough!

Canon 5D 24-70L