ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Sunday 26 January 2014

WINTER. (26/01/14)

Yesterday we went out to catch a sunset. The weather was fine but cool._V0G7949    Cairn Gorm. The mountain was free of cloud for the first time since I’ve been here.

_V0G7947   Sunset over Loch Morlich. I actually prefer these sunsets to the nuclear explosion sort. It could have done with a touch more colour but the cloud cover increased, this was as good as it got.

I woke in the night and all the stars were shining brightly. I did get up to take a picture of Orion but then remembered both batteries needed charging so I popped them on charge and went back to bed. A couple of hours later I was wide awake again. The van was rocking on it’s springs and sleet was battering us.

As dawn slowly arrived things were if anything worse.  I decided to do my RSPB Bird Count. Easy it was…..there weren’t any.

_MG_2793  The new feeders were devoid of birds and devoid of the apple that sits on top, both apple and water dish have blown away.

I delayed going out for as long as possible but the dogs were nagging and whingeing to go. They promised to be quick so I got rugged up and stepped out into the tempest.

_MG_2801   Impressive was the Loch. I decided to risk life and limb by using a strobe. I’m wary of them getting wet as there is a hell of a capacitor buried inside. I thought it worth the risk so fiddled about in a plastic bag which was doing it’s best to funnel water onto the camera and strobe. I was getting mad and my fingers were frozen. It then blew away so I just got on with the job and flashed at the Loch.

_MG_2797 Snowflake doing 100mph.

It was almost worth all the aggravation. I could have got rid of the strobe halo on the sand by moving a bit closer or popping the wide angle diffuser down. I’d chanced my arm enough so thought sod it. I rounded the dogs up and headed back for another breakfast.

Have a good week.

18 comments:

  1. I am afraid I don't believe your explanation of why the van was "rocking on its springs" as Michaela Strachan was seen entering the van just before midnight. And if you don't mind me saying, flashing at lochs is unsavoury and ungentlemanly behaviour.

    I know what you mean about delicate sunset pictures as opposed to suburst fireworks sunsets and your second picture is rather lovely with its understated northern sunset.

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    1. YP, it was the tempest. I have proof I'm still in Glenmore and not wired and piped up in Inverness hospital.

      I was hoping for those cold monotone sunsets. It isn't cold enough yet.

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  2. The snowflakes coming in are very interesting. I think everyone is experiencing similar weather right now. Winter seems to have just started.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. Mersad, I'm camping at 300m, snow level is about 500m. It's good to see the snow.

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  3. I like the last two images as they give an impression of what the weather conditions were like, however my favourite is the second image.

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  4. Douglas, I like the second image. There is just something more it could do with. It won't make my desktop.

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  5. That's a very dedicated photographer! It looks beautiful. It was pretty windy here too in the night.

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    1. Annie, I have to walk the dogs and feel naked without a camera.

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  6. Brrr ~ too darn cold for me. I think I have frostbite from just reading your post today. BTW, we still wear our thongs (flip flops) in Winter here.

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    Replies
    1. It's not so bad with enough layers on.
      I've never mastered flipflops.

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  7. Both your pictures and your writing is just excellent this time round. I agree about the sunsets. It's like the old thing - "if you want people to listen, then whisper."

    Of course it is great your equipment didn't get damaged. I certainly appreciate the risk. Number 4 is a wonderful picture.

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    1. David, I kept it as dry as possible and have a big towel to dry it all off.

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  8. OMG the snow flecks photo it's so beautiful, and I can imagine me the dogs running free (are they free there? ( i mean off leash) beautiful place Adrian, really a great fortune to see all these places...

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    1. Laura, I love it here. Yes they are free. They are worse on a leash. They don't go far unless chasing deer.

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  9. Adrian fortunately you have no small van that has been your salvation

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  10. I like your snowflakes doing 100 mph. You have some nasty weather . Your van must be well insulated or have a mega heater for you to keep warm.

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    1. Red, the amazing thing is that just after lunch it was beautifully sunny.
      I don't run a heater at night. The van is very well insulated.

      Delete