Saturday's Temperature

Rise and fall

Saturday 28th February 2015

Not a good day for being out and about photographing, the light was overcast and gloomy most of the day. I had enough of gloomy yesterday! We have a Galileo thermometer (the sort that has colourd liquid in glass bulbs inside a glass cylinder filled with another liquid), the bulbs rise and fall depending on the temperature. I decided to photograph the bulbs in close up. To bring out the colour and contrast, I backlit the thermometer, exposing for the light (contre Jour again) this enabled the light to shine through the coloured liquids, whilst leaving the outer liquid and cylinder in deep shadow. The black discs are the weights on the bulbs. I quite like it.

Fountains Friday

Fountains Abbey

Friday 27th February 2015

A trip to Fountains Abbey today. Arriving at lunch time, the weather had changed from lots of sun to just glimpses of sun and plenty of cloud. We decided to walk from Fountains Abbey following the river Skell on the south side to the lake and return along the north side. I was surprised just how many people were visiting on a Friday in February. Then again, there were snowdrops everywhere, so this may have accounted for the numbers. This view, which is classic, was taken from the east and is usually a 'morning shot' with the sun shinning onto the east window. On previous visits I have found that the Abbey has great atmosphere. I have marvelled at the workmanship of the masons, the peace, spirit and seclusion of the place, the River Skell that provided life for the monks of the Cistercian order and I have been taken back in time. With so many people about today, my feelings were far from serene, I was in the 21st Century looking at a ruin, not getting the vibes and so a gloomy picture against the light, in black and white probably summed up my vision of Fountains Abbey today!

Bait digging

Digging for bait

Thursday 26th February 2015

Today, putting in a new fence on the cliff edge just north of Robin Hoods Bay on the Cleveland Way.
Once we had finished I had a walk down onto the beach, the tide was on its way out. I saw this gentleman arrive, go down to the waters edge and begin digging for lugworms to use as bait for fishing. It was simple, a fork and a bucket to put the worms in. I then began to wonder how old was this pastime/occupation and how little the equipment had changed over the years. Okay, he had a plastic bucket just out of frame, and probably a Spear & Jackson fork, but to me the image was almost timeless. I knew when I got home that I would give it a sepia toned antique look.

Take a seat

Green pattern

Wednesday 25th February 2015

Today, I was in Scarborough on a very pleasant morning walk around the north bay.
Whilst walking through Northstead Manor Gardens (The Open Air Theatre), I looked up at the row upon row of empty seats and pondered how they would be filled this summer with acts such as Blue, Atomic Kitten, Elaine Page and Alfie Boe or so the poster predicted. It also told me that Scarborough's Open Air Theatre was Europe's largest open air theatre, something I did not realise. My mother performed in amateur musicals there in the late 50's as part of the chorus. Back to reality, I couldn't help but notice the striking diagonal pattern of the green plastic seats. Click!

Harpers - a Great Oasis

Harpers Fish & Chip Shop Wetwang

Tuesday 24th February 2015

A day confined to the house through circumstances. I read that my favourite fish and chip shop at Wetwang won first prize in the "Best chippy chips in the North East", I had voted for them, so had an interest. Since arriving in Driffield two years ago, we have made a weekly pilgrimage to Wetwang for their superb fish and chips. Brought up in Scarborough, I have tasted good fish and chips, but these are the best. I decided that I would photograph the shop in honour of their success. It is so popular with visitors to the coast, bikers, shooting parties, lorry drivers and anyone else passing on the A166, that during opening times, it would be almost impossible to get a clear shot of the shop without a vehicle in the frame. So, I chose a night shot just after they had closed. Wetwang was put on the map by Richard Whiteley becoming honorary Mayor and I think Paul Hudson the BBC weather man now has that title. But Wetwang is now Harpers Fish & Chips, my oasis, well done to all the staff.

Home comforts!

Harry

Monday 23rd February 2015

The weather is freezing today, but extremely sunny and our cat has found himself a nice warm spot. He can seek out a patch of sunlight at 100 paces. We got 'Harry' (inherited name) a black & white cat from a rescue centre near Berwick-Upon-Tweed in 2004 and he was supposed to be about four then. He was a very scared cat when we got him, obviously mistreated - then abandoned. We took pity on him and as they say with cats, he has ruled our lives ever since. He is only active when a squirrel comes into the garden or another cat he takes a dislike to.  So when it came to posing for a photograph, it had to be him asleep in a patch of sunlight on his very expensive National Trust blanket - sheer heaven!

Art of a pen nib

Pen nib

Sunday 22nd February 2015

Sorting through some boxes of bits I came across a few unused ink pen nibs. I noticed that they were marked with 'Post Office Pen' made in England. These are the sort of pen nibs attached to a wooden stick you dipped in ink ages ago. I photographed one with lighting just hitting the top of the pen to create a white line running the length of the nib, picking out the writing. I think it was the influence of some Viking metal ware I saw at York yesterday (see yesterdays post), that made me twist the image in Photoshop to create a serpent like shape whilst retaining the actual point of the pen top, left. I quite like it as a piece of art.

Viking Jorvik

A friendly Viking

Saturday 21st February 2015

A visit to York (Jorvik) for the 2015 Viking Festival, the largest Viking Festival in Europe. The first time I have visited this event and it was absolutely fantastic. There were Viking warriors and their females all over the City in full costume. What amazed me was, despite people pushing cameras into their faces they were very approachable, explained their roles and dress and were quite keen to pose for photographs. I like this image as it sums up my childhood vision of a Viking, but alas, does not have the horns on the helmet! Full marks to the Viking re-enactment society and this gentleman who let me photograph him.

Crocodile or not

Crocodile or not

Friday 20th February 2015

I happened to be in the garage looking for something when I spotted an ordinary crocodile clip. I picked it up, saw the beautiful striation marks along the side and likened them to the scaly skin of a real croc. I decided to photograph it with side lighting to bring out the marks. The more I looked at this inanimate object in the viewfinder, the more it started to come to life! I had managed to show the scaly skin, the hinged jaw, the teeth, the tip of the nose and with a bit of imagination, the eyes at the back of the head. Knowing how these things nip (the clip) if you get your fingers caught, my imagination was running wild. In my black and white macro world I was beginning to get scared. Croc or not, it got me worried!

Reflections

Reflections Bridlington

Thursday 19th February 2015

The morning was exceptionally rainy, but as the afternoon progressed it got brighter, which coincided with a trip to Bridlington. Decided to have a walk on the fish pier, the low sun was causing great reflections from some of the fishing boats. Not sure if it was diesel or some other oil on top of the water, but it certainly made for a nice abstract design. This was the best I could do without either falling in the water or getting my own shadow in the frame.

Sewerby Hall Zoo

Eckie the Eclectus Parrot

Wednesday 18th February 2015

Took two of our grandchildren to Sewerby Hall zoo today near Bridlington. I am in the middle when it comes to zoos. I hate to see lions confined to a small cage and left to pace up and down and go mad. On the other hand, if space is given to the animals and they are well looked after, I don't have a great problem. I found this small zoo about right, no really big animals, no reptile house, just basic animals that children can see at close quarters and appreciate. A very sensible admission price helps for repeat visits. 'Eckie' the parrot is one of the first things visitors encounter and has a cheery "Hello". Fellow photographers would have a field day criticizing my photograph, the bird is really sharp, but no, the wires and the twig have not been 'Photoshopped in'!

Shrove Tuesday skipping at Scarborough

Shrove Tuesday 'skipping' at Scarborough

Tuesday 17th February 2015

My home town is Scarborough, so for me, Shrove Tuesday is pancakes, the pancake bell, pancake races and skipping on the sea front. The origins of Shrove Tuesday are Christian. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, when Christians fasted for Easter. Shrove Tuesday was the last day for good food and fun before the long fast. In Scarborough, the festivities begin in the morning, with the ringing of the pancake bell, then there are pancake races and in the afternoon the towns folk descend onto the Foreshore for 'skipping'. Everyone takes part from young to old. I did not do the skipping this year, but I did finish with pancakes coated with golden syrup and lemon for tea. I am proud of our tradition, long may it continue.

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus second flowering

Monday 16th February 2015

Rain this morning. Sitting looking out of the window wondering what I would be photographing today when I noticed our Christmas cactus sitting on the window sill with just two flower heads. The pink really brightens the house up through the winter months. Yes, it did flower at Christmas, but this was a second flowering. I saw that one of the flower heads was almost perfect. Before the flower decided to fall, I trundled off with the plant to photograph it! 

Tartan Fields

Tartan Field?

Sunday 15th February 2015

Whilst returning home via Kilham on a dreary afternoon, I caught sight of this field on the north side of Kilham village. My first thought, why would the farmer want to make diagonal stripes in his field, on a steep slope with a manure spreader? There must be a logical explanation. The more I thought about it, the more I was confused. Was it a joke? Looking closer, I could see the conventional lines where the corn had been cut and to me it looked like tartan stripes. In colour on an overcast day and taken from a long distance, the image was drab. Turning it black & white and split toning, it still looks drab, but it helps to get across my point that the field has a tartan cover, or am I seeing things? Opticians tomorrow!

Snowdrops & Aconites Thorpe Hall

Snowdrops and Aconites at Thorpe Hall

Saturday 14th February 2015

Visited Thorpe Hall near Rudston in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It was the first time I had been there and what a fantastic surprise. The grounds are full of Snowdrops and yellow Aconites, which are stunning. The Snowdrop and Aconite walk was helping to raise money for All Saints Church at Rudston and was by permission of the Hall owners, the MacDonald family. The walk was well signed and well attended, refreshments were available and there was opportunity to buy some plants. There is still time to see them, the grounds are open tomorrow Sunday 15th February from 10am to 3.30pm and the cost is £3.50. A hidden gem, brilliant.

Fishing Fleet Scarborough

Scallop fishing fleet

Friday 13th February 2015

A walk on the sea front at Scarborough today in a cold wind. A warming hot chocolate in Alonzi's 'Harbour Bar' and a walk on the pier. I couldn't believe my eyes just how many fishing boats were in the harbour. I thought the fishing industry had died in Scarborough long ago, but there were all these boats tied up and I thought how good it was. Then I looked closer, they were not Scarborough registered boats but boats from Kings Lynn, Ayr, Whitstable, Looe. I then noticed the fishing gear was the type used for scallop fishing and photographed one of the boats testing the 'nets'. Apparently, word got out that the waters around Scarborough were good for scallops and now everyone wants some, but the local boats are not geared up for it.

Boat Staithes Beck

Fishing coble on Staithes beck

Thursday 12th February 2015

As a volunteer helping to maintain 'The Cleveland Way' long distance footpath, our task today was to clear gorse which had overgrown the path between Staithes and Skinningrove, pick-up was at Staithes car park. Arriving early I ventured down to the Staithes beck and found the fishing coble 'Grace' on the calm and mirror like water.

Lock & Key

Lock & key

Wednesday 11th February 2015

Other things to attend to today so very little time for photography. Stumbled across a fairly new suitcase lock, the sort that any piece of metal resembling a key will open! I wanted to show the key and keyhole, not so much of the full padlock, but enough to recognize it. I therefore directed side lighting onto the key to pick out detail and decided on black and white for contrast.

Pick & Mix

Too good to eat?

Tuesday 10th February 2015

Didn't really get out and about today. Ventured into town and we picked up a tube of Rowntrees (not any more) Pick & Mix, comprising Fruit Gums, Fruit Pastilles and Tooty Frooties, a bargain at 50p. I decided to photograph them before they were all too quickly consumed!

Pheasant surprise!

A Pheasant surprise

Monday 9th February 2015

I'm beginning to think that the way to do this one image a day is to just go with the flow, taking into account weather, subject matter and my feelings, but have a back up plan if by 23:59 I have forgotten to take one! Although I 'tweet' the images each day, it is sometimes late evening before I get around to updating the blog and 'tweeting'. This sometimes defeats the object of an image a day, perhaps it should be yesterday's image? For a change, I have managed a morning image that can be sent out almost immediately. I was surprised to see four female pheasants in our back garden, roaming around looking for food. We do have the odd one, but four is a record. Now that the pheasant shooting season has finished (1st October to 1st February), these lucky birds are just glad to be alive! It was a frosty morning and this bird stood in the only patch of sunlight and I like to think 'called to me' to say thank you for the welcome feast. I just love the colours on the bird against the dark background and the fantastic contrast with frost, sunlight and shadow.