Sunderland and Monkwearmouth

I wanted to get a shot of a Metro train crossing Thomas E. Harrison's Monkwearmouth bridge, and the coal train heading north was an unexpected bonus!

A detailed view of this elegant Victorian wrought iron structure, built circa 1879.

The much more recent steel fabrication, opened in 1929, that is the Monkwearmouth road bridge; with surprisingly light traffic.

It looks like a giant Meccano construction from close up!

This attractive artwork of stained glass advertises Sunderland and Jarrow's 2011 bid for world heritage status which was based upon the twin monasteries at those places and the work of Bede.

The Brandling Junction Railway ran from Gateshead to Monkwearmouth with a branch to South Shields. Before the Wear railway bridge was built this was the terminus. A fine piece architecture in the classical style completed in 1848 by another Thomas, in this case, Moore.

Some of these photos are available for sale at Alamy

Canon 5DII 24-105 f4 L

Hartlepool Headland - Windy and cold, but bright

I took this one some while ago. I guess that this old lighthouse is of a similar construction to the metal lighthouse at Sunderland, with a cast iron frame and wrought iron cladding. I don't know its year of construction, but it was relocated to its present site during WW1.

A beautifully presented row of Georgian houses.

This gentleman had found a sheltered spot in the sun.

The Municipal Buildings and former market hall dating from 1865, a listed building designed by C. J. Adams. According to the public information notices, it was based upon a Bavarian theme.

Lindisfarne

With sub zero temperatures but a clear blue sky, Holy Island looked near its best.

We had been listening to the debate about independence for Scotland while driving so it was appropriate that the cross of St Andrew should be in the sky! Judging by the ceramic plaques on either side of the doors, the building appears to have been an old lifeboat house, now used to store farm equipment.

The levels are well off in this shot, but I prefer the subdued low contrast look that seems to fit the scene.

The much photographed upturned boats that are used as sheds by the fishermen. Trying to avoid a cliche I went for an abstraction, but no doubt that's been done before too!

A study in blue, a freshly refurbished shed.

I saw this vehicle approaching while walking along an embankment, and, thinking that he would be coming my way, scrambled down to a lower level to grab a shot. However he turned off and I had to dash back up the slope and, without time to make any adjustments, take the photo. Sometimes you get lucky!

Well the classic view of the castle, could have done with a more dramatic sky, but you can only take what's there!

The lines of the old lime kilns point obligingly towards the castle.

Some of these photos are available for sale at Alamy

Canon 5DII 24-105L

New year's Eve Ceilidh - Lanchester

Lanchester Wildlife Group organised this sell out event.

The room was too big to fill with flashlight so, for overall shots, I was forced to up the ISO and shoot without flash. Two different approaches, both using ISO 6400 and with the white balance tweaked during the RAW conversion in DPP.

1) Freeze the action 1/100th at f4 24mm

2) Allow some subject blur 1/25th at f9 again 24mm

I think that I prefer this one.

3) Using diffused flash for a closer shot ISO 1600 1/125 f8

At the halfway stage Appalachian step dancers, Step This Way, performed with local lad Colin Tipping playing the fiddle.


Canon 5DII 24-105L

Tynemouth - Windy but sunny

Waves crash into the north face of the the pier.

A different world, the south facing side. Seabirds taking shelter in the sunlit lee of Tynemouth Pier

The statue of Collingwood, the naval officer rather than the cricketer.

A Geordie lad, he was the first to engage the enemy and Nelson's second in command at Trafalgar. He took over command when Nelson died. Ended his career Admiral Lord Collingwood, but died at sea circa 5 years after Trafalgar.

A rather more quirky shot, I do like quirky

Canon 5DII

TUC Day of Action - Gateshead Civic Centre

I was caught out and moved almost to tears by the band who played the old Methodist tune that I knew from my youth to "While Shepherds Watched", with the chorus "Sweet chiming Christmas Bells". Funny how an unexpected piece of music can carry you back to your childhood. The lovely banner is that of one of the teachers' unions.

For a protest primarily about pensions, there were a good number of relatively young participants.

Three smiling young nurses. This was a very sweet tempered event, most people were happy to pose for the camera.

Need I say more?

These and other photos of the event are on sale via the agency Alamy

Otters in Washington

They are to be seen wild down by the river Wear, but I photted these two at the Wetland Centre
They are the Asian short-clawed otters Rod and Musa.

Canon 5D 70-200L f4