Overdue spring/summer update

April and May seem to have flown by and I’ve been able to get some great new work branching out from my local area. A couple of weeks ago I had time to explore Dartmoor and the Brecon Beacons. Before that I was hunting misty spring sunrises around Somerset. So, working from the top:

Crook Peak

Before the sun started coming up ridiculously early I made a trip to Crook Peak to see the sunrise. All was peaceful at the time as all flights over the UK had been grounded due to the ash cloud. A beautiful sunrise ensued, unmarred by any jet streams in the sky

Burrow Mump

Thick fog covered the south west as I drove to Burrowbridge, Somerset, to try and get some pictures of Burrow Mump at sunrise. Unfortunately the fog was a little too thick for the viewpoint I’d picked to work but I nevertheless managed to make some interesting pictures of Willow trees and wild flowers. I thought that a view of the mump had alluded me until I spotted this composition just as I was about to drive off.

Bluebells in West Woods

The annual pilgrimage to photograph bluebells seems to appear on every landscape photographer’s calendar. Last year I explored West Woods near Marlborough, Wiltshire, for the first time. I was amazed by the beauty of the thick carpet of blue that covered the woods and so I earmarked it as a location for sunrise pictures this year. My first outing went well although I didn’t get what I had in mind before the day. I did however find some interesting and very peaceful scenes as the sun climbed higher in the sky and caused long shadows to cut through the trees.

A week and a half later I had some time to attempt a second sunrise outing and I wanted to put in to practice what I’d learnt from my last trip. I still didn’t get quite what I’d pictured in my head (do we ever?) but I was pleased with the pictures I made.

Bowerman’s Nose, Dartmoor

After visiting Tavy Cleave back in December I promised myself that I would visit Dartmoor again to explore other parts. I chose Bowerman’s Nose as the location and I picked a perfectly sunny day to go out on. I don’t normally like photographing in late morning sunshine but I was forced to work with it here and I’m pleased with the compositions I made.

Incidentally, I’ve called this picture “Super Mario” as I think the rock looks like an outline of Mario’s head.

Brecon Beacons

I’ve driven past the Brecon Beacons many times and always wanted to climb the highest peaks and photograph them. Recently I had the opportunity to do this and I had a great day walking the southern horseshoe route which takes in the peaks of Corn Du, Pen Y Fan, Cribyn and Fan Y Big. Mixed weather gave me a variety of picture opportunities. I wouldn’t have been in Wales if I hadn’t got wet!

And finally…

My exhibition currently on display in West Mendip Hospital has been extended until the start of June. If you haven’t been along to see it yet please do!