Happy New Year to one and all. Let's hope 2021 sees some sort of return to normal as the weeks and months roll on

Running annually since 2013, this is the 9th photography thread. Thanks to everyone who has participated and made this such a popular and long-running thread. I'm sure we can look forward to lots of great contributions.

Given the restrictions we've been facing for so long now, getting out and about hasn't always been easy or even possible. But, with a bit of good fortune hopefully we'll get opportunities to revisit new and familiar places with greater ease. Certainly I've hardly been beyond my immediate environment during much of last year, so I'm opening this thread with a couple of favourite photos from some years back.

Both were taken in Elie on the Fife coast in Scotland.

 

Happy snapping, everyone!

Norfolk Sunrise during the week whilst walking our greyhound. 

5 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Had some very special encounters with a few wild foxes this morning after a tip off regarding two different Dens / Earths

 

Stunning, nice one mate 👍

1 hour ago, Soulandy said:

Stunning, nice one mate 👍

Thanks Andy ☺🙏.  I was told about these foxes a few years ago but just never got around to going to see them.  The cubs are probably born now and still underground,  can't wait to return to see them in a couple of weeks time when they should be active above ground 😀

Ennerdale Water today - not been here since before we moved up permanently and still had Corner House at High Lorton as a holiday cottage - so about 27 years. This is a fantastic walk right round the lake - about 7.5 miles, most of it fairly easy, though it's a bit scrambly here and there. Funny last weekend there was thick snow on the tops - now it's like mid summer. Dx

A wonderful array of photos, once again.......keep 'em coming Dave!!

Spring bulb display and Oak leaved primula , all planted in Lancashire after I arrived from Spain in late September. 

5 minutes ago, Tattoodave said:

Spring bulb display and Oak leaved primula , all planted in Lancashire after I arrived from Spain in late September. 

amazing really beautiful garden 😊👍

3 minutes ago, Neil Austin said:

amazing really beautiful garden 😊👍

It's a very small patch Neil, I used to be a head gardener of this 2.5 acres many years ago, but I'm getting old.  The tree visible just to the left of the central lawn breaking the horizon is one I planted.

1 minute ago, Tattoodave said:

It's a very small patch Neil, I used to be a head gardener of this 2.5 acres many years ago, but I'm getting old.  The tree visible just to the left of the central lawn breaking the horizon is one I planted.

Wow that’s growing strong, looks like a secret garden, must have been a great

place to work , explains why your flowers are so cool 😎 

thank you 

46 minutes ago, Neil Austin said:

Wow that’s growing strong, looks like a secret garden, must have been a great

place to work , explains why your flowers are so cool 😎 

thank you 

It is secret in that it's privately owned and not open to the public, it was fun working there, but the owner, being a multi-millionaire didn't like to part with his cash, so the budget was very tight and the wages ridiculously low.  

1 hour ago, Tattoodave said:

It's a very small patch Neil, I used to be a head gardener of this 2.5 acres many years ago, but I'm getting old.  The tree visible just to the left of the central lawn breaking the horizon is one I planted.

Looks good Dave. 👍

Wow, great pics, love the scale of them...look bloody cold on top 😕

Went to my local again with my lad, again 6 Carp, this was the nicest of the bunch, sun was dimming but it was a very beautiful colour anyhow...

 

Just got back from first decent walk for ages ,Mardale head up Riggindale onto High Street,Stunning weather and great views.

Edited April 4, 20214 yr by Smudger

48 minutes ago, Smudger said:

Just got back from first decent walk for ages ,Mardale head up Riggindale onto High Street,Stunning weather and great views.

Gods country 100% it’s amazing 🙂

4 hours ago, Mal C said:

Wow, great pics, love the scale of them...look bloody cold on top 😕

Went to my local again with my lad, again 6 Carp, this was the nicest of the bunch, sun was dimming but it was a very beautiful colour anyhow...

 

Nice session Mal. That common carp looks amazing in that light

5 hours ago, Smudger said:

Just got back from first decent walk for ages ,Mardale head up Riggindale onto High Street,Stunning weather and great views.

Brilliant 👍 Can't wait to get up in the hills again. Love the inversion 👍

Over to St Bee's head today as it's too windy and bright for fishing - not too much of a walk as the high winds were effing cold (up to the top of the head and then along the beach). A Stonechat and one of the local Ravens - couldn't get an angle that wasn't directly into the sun as it was on the cliff edge. It's the Isle of Man in the background on the pic the cliff and Scotland on the horizon on the shot looking along the cliffs. Dx

Edited April 5, 20214 yr by Davenpete

49 minutes ago, Davenpete said:

Over to St Bee's head today as it's too windy and bright for fishing - not too much of a walk as the high winds were effing cold (up to the top of the head and then along the beach). A Stonechat and one of the local Ravens - couldn't get an angle that wasn't directly into the sun as it was on the cliff edge. It's the Isle of Man in the background on the pic the cliff and Scotland on the horizon on the shot looking along the cliffs. Dx

Cracking picture of the stonechat ,

fantastic, thanks for sharing 😊

The recent chats about red kites and their proliferation makes this story from the BBC even more worrying...

Quote

A photographer is trying to raise awareness of the dangers of litter after seeing a red kite flying off with a discarded McDonald's cup. Chad Brown spotted the bird of prey last week in Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk.

"One dived down for what I thought was going to be prey, but instead the kite appeared with this McDonald's cup in its claws," he said.

Photo source: BBC News / © Chad Brown

Full story:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-56648701

Three more Fox pictures from last week

 

Edited April 7, 20214 yr by Winsford Soul

Treecreeper with nesting materials . The picture from last week when i mentioned the nest cavity turned out to be correct so i will be keeping a special watch on this and hopefully if it,s not predated by Greater spotted woodpecker, Squirrels, Stoats, or Weasel,s  i may get the chance to see and photograph the fledglings 

Also there,s a heavily cropped  record picture from 6.20am today of a pair of Common Scoter they where about 300 metres out in the lake and stayed there but its the first time ive seen them when ive had a camera with me plus they are actually a Sea Duck  

 

After not seeing my children for 5 months, I managed to get down to see my latest grandsons.

Burnie is my daughters first child and is 10 months old

Louie is my sons first child and is 8 months old 

1 hour ago, Martyn Pitt said:

After not seeing my children for 5 months, I managed to get down to see my latest grandsons.

Burnie is my daughters first child and is 10 months old

Louie is my sons first child and is 8 months old 

Proud Grandad. Great pictures my friend,  not that I expect anything less from you. 

walking the dog just saw this - you can just make out Peterborough Cathedral in the background of one of the pics 

location Stanground backwater 

 

4 hours ago, Martyn Pitt said:

After not seeing my children for 5 months, I managed to get down to see my latest grandsons.

Burnie is my daughters first child and is 10 months old

Louie is my sons first child and is 8 months old 

It’s a great day , enjoy 😊 

2 hours ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

walking the dog just saw this - you can just make out Peterborough Cathedral in the background of one of the pics 

location Stanground backwater 

 

Really nice pics , thanks for sharing 👍 

Another fantastic circular walk this afternoon from Caldbeck up to the top of Faulds Brow (a baby sized fell with fabulous views over the Solway) then down along a lovely little river and through a hidden gorge. Only about 4.5 miles all-in and only 12 miles from home! Dx

Sunrise off the battlements of Fort Greyhair this morning...

2 hours ago, Davenpete said:

Sunrise off the battlements of Fort Greyhair this morning...

Look great love the pictures and a beautiful black bird, thanks for sharing 😊 

Sunrise on Rivington Pike. I went looking for the five Ring Ouzel that are there at the moment, No joy for me but two other birders managed a quick sighting before they flew off, 

Meadow Pipit all fluffed up against the cold this morning at 6am

 

2 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Sunrise on Rivington Pike. I went looking for the five Ring Ouzel that are there at the moment, No joy for me but two other birders managed a quick sighting before they flew off, 

Meadow Pipit all fluffed up against the cold this morning at 6am

 

Nice one Steve , 6am that’s keen, lovely 

picture 😊 

33 minutes ago, Neil Austin said:

Nice one Steve , 6am that’s keen, lovely 

picture 😊 

Thanks Neil.  ☺.  Rivington pike just outside Manchester is a very popular place especially  when the weather is good,  like this  morning.  The views are amazing from the top. Lake District to the north, Snowdonia this morning and the Great orme  at Llandudno, the whole of the Cheshire plain.  At 8.30am there was walkers,  runners,  mountain bikers,  dog walkers a plenty and I was on the quiet side,  there's very limited car parking -possibly 30 cars . Whereas the busy side has parking for 100,s. 

3 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Thanks Neil.  ☺.  Rivington pike just outside Manchester is a very popular place especially  when the weather is good,  like this  morning.  The views are amazing from the top. Lake District to the north, Snowdonia this morning and the Great orme  at Llandudno, the whole of the Cheshire plain.  At 8.30am there was walkers,  runners,  mountain bikers,  dog walkers a plenty and I was on the quiet side,  there's very limited car parking -possibly 30 cars . Whereas the busy side has parking for 100,s. 

What a stunning location, I am from 

morecambe originally so know the lakes

quite well, you are so close to lots of soul clubs in the day , stones throw from everything 

11 minutes ago, Neil Austin said:

What a stunning location, I am from 

morecambe originally so know the lakes

quite well, you are so close to lots of soul clubs in the day , stones throw from everything 

You know the area the well then Neil. 😁. Yeah guess I'm pretty local to just about everything soul wise , apart from the 100 club nothing is more than 2 hours away. Which I'm still prepared to drive for a dose of soul 😚

Used to love Morecambe nighters at both the Pier and the Carlton club. Still have a few good friends up there.  

16 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

You know the area the well then Neil. 😁. Yeah guess I'm pretty local to just about everything soul wise , apart from the 100 club nothing is more than 2 hours away. Which I'm still prepared to drive for a dose of soul 😚

Used to love Morecambe nighters at both the Pier and the Carlton club. Still have a few good friends up there.  

Steve 

yes, used to go to the Dixieland all dayers, Carlton rooms and the casino 

for 4 years , been in the south so long 

i used to go to bisely for years and Bournemouth pier etc 

still know a lot of the morecambe and Lancaster crowd and see them occasionally.

I remember going to a club in Bolton once, can’t remember what it was. Called, it was a foot ball club with a large dance floor, then got a ride to Wigan with Shaun gibbons , there was no room in the cevette, so I traveled in

the boot 😊 we were young and keen 👍

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Award

Quote

Freight train driver Dylan Nardini has been crowned this year's Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year.

He won the overall prize with a portfolio of three images taken on the Isle of Arran, at Leadhills and Chatelherault Country Park in South Lanarkshire.

The 47-year-old from Hamilton has been interested in photography since a young age, but says he developed his passion for landscapes through his work driving trains for the last 28 years.

 All absolutely cracking images - this is one of Nardini's winners.

Source: BBC News / © Dylan Nardini

Check out the winners here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56688163

11 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Award

 All absolutely cracking images - this is one of Nardini's winners.

Source: BBC News / © Dylan Nardini

Check out the winners here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56688163

Brilliant pic 👍

50 minutes ago, Neil Austin said:

Brilliant pic 👍

Yes. Wish I'd taken any of them!

17 hours ago, Neil Austin said:

Steve 

yes, used to go to the Dixieland all dayers, Carlton rooms and the casino 

for 4 years , been in the south so long 

i used to go to bisely for years and Bournemouth pier etc 

still know a lot of the morecambe and Lancaster crowd and see them occasionally.

I remember going to a club in Bolton once, can’t remember what it was. Called, it was a foot ball club with a large dance floor, then got a ride to Wigan with Shaun gibbons , there was no room in the cevette, so I traveled in

the boot 😊 we were young and keen 👍

Neil. We must have met somewhere down the line. I was lucky enough to DJ at the Carlton club a few times. I was also a regular at Station Road for the last 6 years before it sadly closed down.  😔. I met Derek Mead a few times that used to run Bisley but never actually got there. Missed out once when they had a casino revival night with Steve Whittle, Brian Rae and Keith Brady  ( rip  ) I should have travelled down with them but never did for some reason or another.  Still see Shaun Gibbons and have the craic with him and Pete Halis. 

1 hour ago, Winsford Soul said:

Neil. We must have met somewhere down the line. I was lucky enough to DJ at the Carlton club a few times. I was also a regular at Station Road for the last 6 years before it sadly closed down.  😔. I met Derek Mead a few times that used to run Bisley but never actually got there. Missed out once when they had a casino revival night with Steve Whittle, Brian Rae and Keith Brady  ( rip  ) I should have travelled down with them but never did for some reason or another.  Still see Shaun Gibbons and have the craic with him and Pete Halis. 

Hi Steve 

yes I think so ,I am playing golf this Tuesday with Derek mead and I DJ at

bisley  for the Steve whittle night , bisley 

was just like mr ms , same size and sprung floor , I have attended there the last 15 years so know the crowd quite well , also when I was very young dj with

shaun and Steve whittle at Lancaster 

its a small world 😊 

Had a walk round Reddish Vale today and saw quite a few Mandarin Ducks along with Muscovy and African Geese

11 hours ago, Soulandy said:

Had a walk round Reddish Vale today and saw quite a few Mandarin Ducks along with Muscovy and African Geese

Manderin , lovely picture thanks for sharing 😊 

Elton Reservoir and along the canal 

Reed Bunting on Bullrush / Reedmace. Blue Tit on Bullrush / Reedmace. Greenfinch.  Mallard portrait. First Lamb of the year 

 

Steve , cracking pictures, like the finch

and the reed bunting .

well done, thanks for sharing 👍

The duck pic is just lovely. Dx

 

10 minutes ago, Davenpete said:

The duck pic is just lovely. Dx

 

Thanks Dave ☺.  The light was very good 👍I've got another one of it facing towards me,  I will post it 

Edited April 14, 20214 yr by Winsford Soul

Dave. Just for you , I,ve cropped this to give the picture symmetry especially the webbed feet

 

  

On 15/04/2021 at 12:44, Winsford Soul said:

Dave. Just for you , I,ve cropped this to give the picture symmetry especially the webbed feet

 

  

Must admit I preferred the profile. Dx

Went up Rannerdale Knotts today - it's the big spiky thing that you have to drive round at the top of Crummock Water. Quite pleased with myself as it was a very steep climb that beat me last time due to high winds and being -5ºC (at least that was my excuse). Dx

27 minutes ago, Davenpete said:

Must admit I preferred the profile. Dx

Went up Rannerdale Knotts today - it's the big spiky thing that you have to drive round at the top of Crummock Water. Quite pleased with myself as it was a very steep climb that beat me last time due to high winds and being -5ºC (at least that was my excuse). Dx

Stunning views Dave. .

I agree  I prefer the portrait myself 

Magnificent photos as usual....a delight to see!

Managed a couple of pictures this morning of a male Northern Wheater . The harsh light does not do the colours justice and they will have to be classed as record shots for now. While i was attempting to take the pictures a Brown Hare run across the field ,which i just managed to see and grab a picture . Again sorry about the quality.

When i was walking back round Elton returning to the car i noticed this female Pike weighing about 18LB basking in the sunshine. I had no filters or polariser with me to cut out the glare for the picture ,then further along the bank there where two more . Unbelievable