The beach acknowledges a special day

22nd August 2013, Embleton Bay, 6pm

Such a beautiful atmosphere this evening. Calm, warm, windless and waveless.
They've taken a crop of hay from the meadow ready for the wild flowers to return next year...

23rd August 2013, Newton Links, 6:30am

Another birthday and I always like to get up early to get the world to myself for a bit. This beautiful light hung about just long enough for me to take a few photos and then it faded behind the fretty mist and the day turned cold and grey.

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andy craig photography - Weddings, Kids, Music, Dogs, Creative Photography, Photo Training

these are a few of my favourite things

16th August 2013, Dunstanburgh Castle, 8am

A nice little sequence of two of Daisy's favourite things. Dried seaweed and a good scratch...

...and another - paddling in the cool water.

16th August 2013, Howick shore, 4pm

We didn't walk far. It was so beautiful and a very low tide so we wandered around the rockpools and looked into the crystal clear sea and pretended we were divers.

18th August 2013, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

My turn to paddle in the water. A handful of folk about this morning. Obviously I'm not the only one who considers a lie in on a Sunday to be 7:30!

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andy craig photography - Weddings, Kids, Music, Dogs, Creative Photography, Photo Training

skies and seas

10th August 2013, Embleton Bay, 8am

Interesting sky above Embleton Bay this morning.  Daisy not interested.

11th August 2013, Football Hole, 6pm

A beautiful evening and we had Football Hole to ourselves.

I'm always very reluctant to leave an empty beach but needs must...

12th August 2013, Embleton Bay, 4pm

About 3:30pm a heavy rain storm came over and I waited for it to end before heading to the beach.  We passed a group of very wet sunbathers who hadn't seen it coming.

As the shower passed on to the SE the light was fantastic, the sun came out and it was very warm again.

14th August 2013, Football Hole, 8am

The first wavy sea we've had for weeks and the water sparkled in the morning sunshine.

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andy craig photography - Weddings, Kids, Music, Dogs, Creative Photography, Photo Training

Life and Death

9th August 2013, Embleton Bay, 8am

9th August would be my Mum's birthday. I was reflecting on how much life has gone by since then. I still live my life considering if Mum would approve of my decisions. I know she would have loved where I live now and who I live with (although she would tidy up the garden a bit)

Today's Radio 4 podcast was all about Life, Death and "The Dream of Gerontius" by Elgar. A most beautiful piece of music and one I'm sure My Mum would have loved too.

This morning the soft sky and gentle sea seemed to rest in peaceful and respectful serenity.

"The face of The Earth as the creator intended it to look" Henry Miller

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andy craig photography - Weddings, Kids, Music, Dogs, Creative Photography, Photo Training

Effects of The Sun

3rd August 2013, Holy Island, 9am

A really enjoyable National Trust PhotoTrail on Holy Island in the warm sunshine. We've had such a nice summer this year.  The sun makes all the colours shine out.

7th August 2013, Howick Shore, 9am

After a long winter, the insects are having a great summer

For a photographer, the sunlight gives opportunities for light and shadow studies

8th August 2013, Newton Links, 8am

The grasses are lit by the sun from behind.

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andy craig photography - Weddings, Kids, Music, Dogs, Creative Photography, Photo Training

little cactus

2nd August 2013, Newton Links, 8am

This year the patch of samphire is really vibrant and healthy.  They're like little cacti in the morning sun

Nearby the warden's hut is a bit sad this year after a bad year for the little terns' chicks which were predated by a kestrel

Daisy had a fun morning running through the sea with various doggy friends old and new.

The brightness of this summer in flower form.

This chap seemed to be reading his map - keep the sea beside you and you'll be OK.

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andy craig photography - Weddings, Kids, Music, Dogs, Creative Photography, Photo Training

Ghosts and Wild Beasts

31st July 2013, Chillingham Castle and Wild Cattle

This was a really interesting visit to this fantastic Northumberland tourist attraction. First we had a guided tour around the castle from its ancient roots to its recent restoration. The castle is full of interesting things collected by the current owner since he took on the castle as a near ruin in 1980.

Every item has a history and a story and it would take a lifetime to get to know the collection. Such an atmospheric place - reputedly haunted and I'm not surprised about that! I recommend a visit when you're in the area.

 Enjoy this pictorial tour (which includes some pictures from a wedding I photographed at the Castle in 2012).

Chillingham Castle: www.chillingham-castle.com

After the Castle we went next door to the Wild Cattle. These beasts are never touched by human hand and they've lived within a 350 acre walled enclosure for 800 years. They were kept there for hunting originally but soon they became important for scientific study. There's now over 100 animals in the herd and they're genetically separate from any domestic cattle in the UK. It felt very much like they were allowing us to watch them from 100 yards - We knew they could see us off any time they wanted.

Chillingham Wild Cattle: www.chillinghamwildcattle.com
 

For visitor information: www.visitnorthumberland.com

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andy craig photography - Weddings, Kids, Music, Dogs, Creative Photography, Photo Training