A new year, a new photography thread! Thanks to everyone who's participated in these threads, whether as a photographic contributor, a commenter, or as someone who just pops in from time to time to admire the latest offerings. The Soul Source photography thread now enters its sixth year (well, technically it started life in April of 2013, but who cares?), which I think is amazing.

As I mentioned in the last post of the 2018 thread, its longevity is entirely down to you and your continued involvement, so thank you one and all for making this a real highlight for so long. Cheers, and here's to another photo-filled year!

 

 

Lake Windermere.....

 

10 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Early yesterday evening - looking towards Molyvos harbour on the Greek island of Lesvos.

It was a bit overcast and breezy, but expecting things to brighten up today. 

We holidayed there about 30 years ago, completely unspoiled and amazing island, in fact we stayed at a very similar point as in your photo. It was at the time one of their hottest summers on record. I`d love to go back to see how much it`s changed.

You don`t have to put on the red light!

1 hour ago, Steve Lane said:

We holidayed there about 30 years ago, completely unspoiled and amazing island, in fact we stayed at a very similar point as in your photo. It was at the time one of their hottest summers on record. I`d love to go back to see how much it`s changed.

It’s 10 years since our first visit and in that time it’s hardly changed at all. The biggest change has been the dramatic decline in tourist numbers since the refugee crisis.

And even a few years on, people we know here are saying this is the worst start to a season they’ve ever known. Given that tourism in Molyvos was down by 80% about three years ago, that’s something to be feared at the local level. Still, as always, folks here remain ever optimistic and take a long-term view. 

Here’s hoping that optimism is justified.

Haircut time

Ed

 

1 hour ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

It’s 10 years since our first visit and in that time it’s hardly changed at all. The biggest change has been the dramatic decline in tourist numbers since the refugee crisis.

And even a few years on, people we know here are saying this is the worst start to a season they’ve ever known. Given that tourism in Molyvos was down by 80% about three years ago, that’s something to be feared at the local level. Still, as always, folks here remain ever optimistic and take a long-term view. 

Here’s hoping that optimism is justified.

Do they still have 2 prices in shops and cafes, one price for tourists and one for locals? I found that quite funny but typically Greek.

On 21/05/2019 at 08:08, Jaco said:

The 4.15 from Ho Chi Minh city will arrive at at your front door on time

There is no "did you hear that train last night love" 😮😮 closer than close 😂

Blackcap  ( male  )

Taken at Pennington flash in the lovely morning sunshine 

Steve 

13 hours ago, Steve Lane said:

Do they still have 2 prices in shops and cafes, one price for tourists and one for locals? I found that quite funny but typically Greek.

Never experienced or seen that at all. Never heard of any tourist have that happen to them here - and I belong to a sizeable Molyvos Facebook group. 👍

Puffin island cafe in Angelsey Wales

14 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Blackcap  ( male  )

Taken at Pennington flash in the lovely morning sunshine 

Steve 

Fairly sure not all Blackcaps migrate.Must be warmer winters.Nice piccy.

 

1 hour ago, NCFC said:

Fairly sure not all Blackcaps migrate.Must be warmer winters.Nice piccy.

 

Thanks mate.  Yeah there's a few that over winter in different parts of the country according to the reports. 

I'm sure Martyn Pitt on here has had a pair of them in his Midlands garden  through the winter

Steve 

8 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Thanks mate.  Yeah there's a few that over winter in different parts of the country according to the reports. 

I'm sure Martyn Pitt on here has had a pair of them in his Midlands garden  through the winter

Steve 

Good to see you and Martyn last night at Bury town hall, very rare for the three of us to be in the same room,

That was a great photo opportunity missed.

Ste.

21 minutes ago, Widnes63 said:

Good to see you and Martyn last night at Bury town hall, very rare for the three of us to be in the same room,

That was a great photo opportunity missed.

Ste.

Cheers mate.  Always good to see you and catch up. 

Martyn n Carol Pitt had to rush off back to Lilliput. 

3 hours ago, Pablorally said:

Puffin island cafe in Angelsey Wales

A mate has a Yacht at Conwy and we had a fab day out last year around Puffin Island and Anglesey.....

 

5 minutes ago, Zed1 said:

A mate has a Yacht at Conwy and we had a fab day out last year around Puffin Island and Anglesey.....

 

Gaz hope you and Debs are both well, nice photos mate, any idea what the building and chimneys were used for ?

2 minutes ago, Widnes63 said:

Gaz hope you and Debs are both well, nice photos mate, any idea what the building and chimneys were used for ?

We're good Ste. Yourself?....

The Buildings are the old Anglesey Brickworks.  http://www.penmorfa.com/porthwen/  

Just now, Zed1 said:

We're good Ste. Yourself?....

The Buildings are the old Anglesey Brickworks.  http://www.penmorfa.com/porthwen/  

I'm good, thanks for that, I will have a look at the link 👍

Molyvos, on the Greek island of Lesvos, and lunch...was...great! 

3 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Cheers mate.  Always good to see you and catch up. 

Martyn n Carol Pitt had to rush off back to Lilliput. 

Was warned cannot use photos from Soul Events . We did well at Accrington Town Hall. 

200+ attending sound sytem after few tweaks perfection.  

1 minute ago, Soulfulmerlin said:

Was warned cannot use photos from Soul Events . We did well at Accrington Town Hall. 

200+ attending sound sytem after few tweaks perfection.  

Glad to hear that you had a good night, wanted to visit but already arranged to catch up with some friends . 

Maybe next time.  

There was no intention to post any photos from last night mate. Save them for the gallery.  Not that I ever take the camera to soul nights or nighters, strictly nature photographs for me

Steve 

 

Haircut 2

Ed

It was over 30 years ago, mainly the cafe`s and restaurants, but I assure you it was there Russ.

5 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Thanks mate.  Yeah there's a few that over winter in different parts of the country according to the reports. 

I'm sure Martyn Pitt on here has had a pair of them in his Midlands garden  through the winter

Steve 

Yes seen them here in Norfolk during winter.Saw a swallow on December the 4th 2018😮 was that surprised i remembered date.

Thought no way it would survive being from a possible late brood but turns out it was a red rumped swallow.

 

Here's a couple of pics I took of a Sedge Warbler last week. 

 Sedge Warblers are quite easy to photograph near reed beds as they show themselves whilst singing, usually on a small bush in the reeds.  Reed Warblers and Cettis Warblers are more elusive and skulk about low down in the reeds. 

  

Had Cetti,s warblers less than 3 ft away but couldn't get a photo.  Sedge Warbler photograph is completely missing from my portfolio,  need to get one. 

Great picture by the way

12 hours ago, Steve Lane said:

It was over 30 years ago, mainly the cafe`s and restaurants, but I assure you it was there Russ.

Thankfully the situation changed somewhere in that time. It’s all very open and honest here with restaurants being obliged to advise in their menus that if you don’t get a proper bill, you’re not obliged to pay. They’re also obliged by law to tell you if anything on the menu is being cooked from frozen rather than fresh. Hardly anything is frozen, but it’s always good to know so you can make an informed decision. 👍

Greetings from Molyvos...

6 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Greetings from Molyvos...

Καλή όρεξη

9 hours ago, TattooDave said:

Καλή όρεξη

Efcharisto. We had aubergine purée followed by a dish of small fried fish (red bream) for me and a grilled red snapper for my other half, washed down with a very nice bottle of dry white made in Limnos. 👍

2 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Efcharisto. We had aubergine purée followed by a dish of small fried fish (red bream) for me and a grilled red snapper for my other half, washed down with a very nice bottle of dry white made in Limnos. 👍

It wouldn't do for me Russ, apart from the aubergine purée and the wine, I used to do a bit of island hoping, and find myself answering the Spanish in Greek (I put it down to old age and alcohol).

Just another day in Molyvos...

Was right pissed off .

No matter how well I slashed it . Just couldn't bag a goal 

 

21 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Just another day in Molyvos...

Have you done the trip to rabbit island yet Russ?

2 hours ago, Steve Lane said:

Have you done the trip to rabbit island yet Russ?

Many times with our friend Stratis, but not so far this holiday. Next week, I reckon. 👍

On 29/05/2019 at 09:46, Soulfulmerlin said:

Was right pissed off .

No matter how well I slashed it . Just couldn't bag a goal 

 

Classy!

🤣🎯

On 31/05/2019 at 10:29, Soulfulmerlin said:

🤣🎯

😆

Morecambe Bay yesterday evening.

1 hour ago, Flamingemeralds said:

Morecambe Bay yesterday evening.

I just told my daughter that my photo had two votes and she said "Wow!? Really?! That's more than the Conservatives?".. 😂

Chuck Jackson Pose - Look Over Your Shoulder

 

Four Spotted Chaser 

 

Swallow

 

Young Chaffinch

 

Peacock Butterfly Drinking Nectar

3 minutes ago, Johnny Jones said:

Chuck Jackson Pose - Look Over Your Shoulder

 

Four Spotted Chaser 

 

Swallow

 

Young Chaffinch

 

Peacock Butterfly Drinking Nectar

Nice pics again pal 👍

2 minutes ago, Jazz said:

Nice pics again pal 👍

Cheers Paul. 📷

Badger.  Taken this evening  in Pembrokeshire

Steve 

More snorkelling - this time from a small Greek fishing boat. Got to say the waters are wonderfully clear. 

We spent a few hours relaxing at a taverna next to Molyvos castle yesterday. Really enjoyed the music being played by whatever Greek radio station they’d tuned into. It was a great mix of jazz, soul and Latin grooves and very surprised to hear, among others, Barbara Lynn “I’m a good woman”, Joe Bataan “Ordinary guy (Afro-Filipino), and Carlton Jumel Smith’s new release “That’s what love looks like”!

With a few glasses of Ouzo and some good food, it was an absolute treat!

Young Rabbit ( Kit ) Taken virtually at the front door of the cottage

 

Tawny Owlet

 

You can’t beat a good Greek breakfast...

Tenby. North Beach.  Just spent the last five hours on this gorgeous beach in the glorious sunshine