Thursday 30 November 2017

snow falling on the beach

30th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

Plenty of weather around this morning. This was shot through falling snow and hail this morning (from the shelter of a borrowed beach hut)


Tuesday 28 November 2017

storm chasing

28th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 3pm

I use an app called RainToday to show the falling rain by radar and it usefully predicts when a rain shower will arrive.  Before I left the house I'd seen that it would rain at 3:30 but Daisy needed a walk so I wrapped up and we headed out at 3pm anyway.

I also knew from my various walks during the day that the rain would actually be heavy sleet and backed by a cold N wind.

We were up on the top of the hill behind the dunes when it started and the sleet and hail was very heavy - sweeping down in sheets.  This was making Daisy very unhappy so we bolted for the cover of the veranda of a vacant beach house and sheltered in there for a while.

This was the view S over the bay from our temporary respite.  The invisible setting sun painted the thick cloud and falling sleet into 'Turner colours'.



Soon the back of the cloud arrived and the sleet stopped.  We headed down onto the beach for a play and a run about.  The departing clouds were reflected on the wet sand but we couldn't linger as the next shower was on its way...



Sunday 26 November 2017

round the corner

26th November 2017, Christon Bank, 7:30am

We wandered around the local woods this morning and down footpaths that we've been avoiding due to cattle for a few months.

Most of the walk was before sunrise but as we came up the edge of the woods it was clear that sunrise was just around the corner...


The sun was already above the true horizon but was behind a small hill as I was able to create my own sunrise by walking forwards and even reverse sunrise by walking back.  I have photographed this view of the ash trees against the sky a few times over the years.  I can't decide which of these alternative compositions I like so here's both...




Friday 24 November 2017

too early!

24th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

We were too early for sunrise but didn't have time to wait.

the pre-dawn light was pretty good anyway!



Thursday 23 November 2017

technicolour

23rd November 2017, Embelton Bay, 8am

A return to a bright sunrise flooding my eyes with colour after the dull grey of the last few days.










Wednesday 22 November 2017

mad dogs and dogwalkers

22nd November 2017, Embleton Bay, 10am

A PhotoWalk on a dark morning in the rain in the always pleasant company of Phil.

I'm a fan of LS cowrie and he painted two very different kinds of pictures.  Busy town scenes and bleak empty seascapes.

I like how the wet dog walkers in this photo are reminiscent of Lowrie's figures but set in a bleak seascape.


Tuesday 21 November 2017

eyes open

21st November 2017, Embleton Bay, 8am

A very calm drizzly morning on the beach meant few people around and a chance to relax, shut my eyes and listen to the sea and the birds. When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was these rocks shining wet and cold as they have done for countless mornings.


In my childhood I remember my Mum collecting shiny coloured stones.

She collected bonny stones, glistening and bright, from various rain soaked west coast of Scotland locations. I also remember the disappointment when we got home and the stones had dried out and lost their bright colours.

Today as the rain pattered down I noticed again the colours in the pebbles on the beach. Sandstones, limestone and whinstone lying side by side - a mosaic of colour under the slate grey sky.


A black and white portrait of a damp dog on a grey day.


21st November 2017, Football Hole, 4pm

Watching the waves




Monday 20 November 2017

seasonal

20th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 8am

It was such a dark, grey and rainy autumn day that the temptation was to keep the camera packed away.

Photography comes from motivation so I decided to challenge myself to try and find some photographs that included the weather and the season.

Here's what I came up with...





sisters

17th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 7am

The sea was waiting for the sunrise



17th November 2017, Newton Point, 3pm

Daisy's sister Bess has come to stay for the night




18th November 2017, Beadnell Bay, 10am

A beautiful low tide expanse of reflective sand, bright sun, good friends and these two beautiful dogs who get on with each other so well.




19th November 2017, Embelton Bay, 7:30am

Friends and dogs all gone home.  Back to normal with just daisy and her long shadow.


Thursday 16 November 2017

looking around

16th November 2017, Dunstanburgh, 4pm

Daisy sat herself down and watched the world go by so I stood in the wind and did the same.




Wednesday 15 November 2017

reflecting

15th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

Laden down with more gear than normal for a Special Project (see below) but still travelling light compared to most photographers.



Here's a few minutes of peace courtesy of a Northumberland Soundscape from this morning.  Notice the sundog in the clouds above the castle.  Not many birds here so this Soundscape is all waves.


...And here's a Soundscape at Newton Pool. I love the gentle sounds of the Teal which have just arrived for the winter. Also Mallard, Greylag Geese and a single silent Shelduck. Daisy was very good but she did pad around the hide a couple of times (as you'll hear)!


Tuesday 14 November 2017

I can see your house from here

14th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

At last the wind has dropped.  It's been relentlessly breezy for weeks.  I love the fresh air but it doesn't need to be forced in your face!

Looking East


Looking up.



14th November 2017, Newton Point, 3pm

She likes to stop on the stile for a good look around.  I think she would stand here forever.


Monday 13 November 2017

footsteps

13th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 7:30am

The same sun's been rising from this ocean since time began.




Sunday 12 November 2017

down by the water

12th November 2017, Christon Bank, 8am

Trees reflected in the quarry lake
An impressionist painting for the half awake


12th November 2017, Paxton House, 11am and 4pm

These photos are taken in Scotland but the other side of the River Tweed is Northumberland.






Saturday 11 November 2017

a wider view

11th November 2017, Embleton Bay, 8am

A wide view was required for the waves this morning


11th November 2017, Newton Pool, 4pm

These beautiful Whooper swans have arrived (from Iceland) at Newton Pool along with the Greylag geese that have been here a while.