Happy Families

10th July 11, Newton Point, 06:30am

A few folk around despite the early hour. It was a very pleasant morning so why not just get up?

This family of shelducks will have had their nest in a sandy burrow but they're always around the rocks now they're bigger. According to my book, 'Sheld' is an old word meaning variagated or patterned which is very appropriate for these handsome birds. Sometimes one or more female Shelducks will lay their eggs in another's nest and the poor foster mum can end up with 32 eggs to look after. Two adults and 12 chicks here so just their own family - big enough I would say!

Two different views of the flower meadows again. I make no apology - they are beautiful this year

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

sighthound

7th July 11, Howick shore, 8am

After yesterday's heavy rain we headed for the nicely made path at Howick to avoid any mud.

The wind was up and lovely waves were sweeping into the shore.

Two different thistles: Thistle 1 was in a sheltered spot and both photographer and bees could take advantage of the still conditions...

Thistle 2 was in the barley field and was blowing around vigorously.

Being a sighthound, Daisy likes a vantage point to visually survey the landscape in case of rabbits, hares, any other moving things...

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

mooching in the rain

5th July 11, Newton Point, 8am

Curiously, I was listening to a Radio4 documentary about the decline of hay meadows (only 4 sq miles left in UK apparently) as I was wandering through our wild flower meadow behind the dunes on Newton Point. Listen here

6th July 11, around Christon Bank, 8am

The blessed, cooling relief of a gentle Atlantic front dowsing us with soft rain this morning. I can always walk further in the rain (I'm from W coast of Scotland remember) so we ended up at Brunton Mill. I had a mooch about the old buildings - I'd love to know more of their history.

All pics by Hipstamatic on iPhone

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

You've been framed

4th July 11, Low Newton. 8am

No sea fret - another clear, bright and warm morning.

This is now a self-catering cottage. I suspect it uses "bijou" in the description somewhere...

An odd wooden frame on the beach this morning. Any ideas?

It made an interesting in-situ photo frame

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

too close for comfort

3rd July 11, Newton Links, 6pm

We sat for a while watching the waves crashing on the rocks on a gorgeous sunny evening. I got a bit wet in my dedication to get this shot as a wave came a bit too close for comfort

Oyster catchers spooked by a pair of very low flying microlights.

Time for a few games on Football Hole

Note the sea fret out on the horizon - I suspect we might be fog bound tomorrow...

Lovely colour on the meadows this year; especially against the westering sun.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

unoriginal

30th June 11, Newton Links, 3pm

Showery weather continues and rain passes us by safely out to sea...

1st July 11, Low Newton, 8am

Ian joined me for a 3 hour PhotoTrail today and we had good weather; interesting light to start with and lots of interesting people & things to photograph as the day drew on.

1st July 11, Howick Coast, 2pm

Lovely afternoon and a walk on the rocky shore (as I'd been on the sandy beach all morning!)

By the swimming pools near the bathing house

This is the "Joe Cornish" shot of the bathing house from one of the swimming pools. His book of photographs of the Northumberland Coast is very inspirational with many original perspectives on well known landmarks. I don't suppose he used an iPhone...

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

Fun in the Sun

29th June 11, Newton Links, 3pm

As clouds threaten, we headed off to the beach for some fun in the sun before the rain...

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life