Male Banded Damselfly

Male Banded Demoiselle (Damselfly)

Tuesday 30th June 2015

Today we took a walk from Howsham Bridge in North Yorkshire, over to the village of Crambe, then on to Kirkham Abbey. The weather was gorgeous. On reaching Kirkham Abbey we had lunch at 'The Stone Trough Inn' and walked back to Howsham alongside the River Derwent. The path was severely overgrown in places and from a point opposite Howsham Woods to Howsham Mill, the path was almost impassable. All the time, we kept coming across large blue flies, that I thought were a form of dragon fly. It turns out they were Damselflies.

I love sunflower hearts

Grey Squirrel on the sunflower seeds

Monday 29th June 2015

We have a number of squirrels visiting our garden at various times of the day. They all have different attitudes to food. We quite often put apples on the bird table and most will eat them. Nuts are a favourite, but we have one female (above) who loves sunflower seeds. She has two methods of gorging on them. She either attaches herself to the post of the bird table (as above), reaches out to grab hold of the feeder, or her more daring stunt, is to climb up onto the bird table, then with hind legs gripping the top wire of the feeder, hang upside down and eat the seed. She has a very big appetite for the sunflower hearts and even bypasses nuts and apple etc. to get to the seed. We had some friends call today when the squirrel was active, sadly Dennis had battery failure on his camera, so I took this shot for him.

Sunday at Filey Brigg

Filey Brigg showing the north side and fisherman

Sunday 28th June 2015

As part of my Voluntary Ranger duties with the North York Moors National Park walked from Scarborough to Filey on the Cleveland Way with a colleague. Scarborough to Filey is not in the North York Moors National Park area, but we do look after the Cleveland Way National Trail on it's entire length. There are a few problems along this stretch, but nothing major. What drew my attention to the above picture and the reason for taking it, was (and it is faint) the lone fisherman stood on a rock island at the far end of the Brigg. When this picture was taken there was still 25 minutes to go to high tide!

What do you see?

Abstract helmet?

Saturday 27th June 2015

I was making a cup of coffee in my Nescafe coffee maker and found myself taking note of the stand I was about to put the cup on. I would describe it as being grey plastic, three quarters of a circle with a series of ovals that allow excess coffee to drain into a reservoir. It was very symmetrical in a way. I photographed it, turned it pure black and white and twisted it to make a shape I wanted. I then put a white rough border around it. Could even be a neat design for a motor cycle helmet?

Fawn in West Dale

Bambi breaks cover

Friday 26th June 2015

I needed a walk today, so drove to Fridaythorpe and walked along the Yorkshire Wolds Way and into West Dale which is Open Access. West Dale probably gets it's name from the fact that it is west of Fridaythorpe, but the dale runs north to south. Four deer emerged from a wood. The two adults and two young fawns on seeing me darted back into the wood. I carried on walking reflecting on such a great sight, when one of the fawns suddenly ran in front of me. I quickly took a photo, panning at the same time and managed an image of the Roe deer fawn in mid flight. You can tell by the height of the grass that it was a very young fawn. I turned and walked back happy.

Pattern of pots in the potting shed

Pattern of Pots

Thursday 25th June 2015

Decided to visit Normanby Hall near Scunthorpe today. It has been on our list of places to visit for well over a year. The Hall was built in 1825 for the Sheffield family and is still owned by them, but leased to North Lincolnshire Council (The Prime Minister's wife Samantha who was a 'Sheffield' grew up on the Normanby Estate). The house is open to the public and the extensive grounds include a deer park, farming museum and a beautiful restored walled garden. On visiting the walled garden potting shed, I liked the pattern made by these old plant pots, stacked in rows.

Lifeboat launch at Staithes

Launching 'The Moray Dolphin' at Staithes

Wednesday 24th June 2015

Today I was doing my volunteer bit with the Cleveland Way crew, strimming part of the Cleveland Way path at Boulby cliffs. Our meeting point was Cowbar car park on the north side of Staithes. I arrived early with the intention of taking some photographs in Staithes village. No sooner had I got to the bottom of the bank, when I was aware of a man running towards the lifeboat station. Soon more personnel arrived, the doors opened and the tractor pushed the inshore lifeboat (named 'The Moray Dolphin') onto the slipway and into the water. The three man crew (I think one was female) were busy with their drill before the craft launched in the water (as my picture shows). As I stood there taking photographs, I could only admire the professionalism and at the same time, bravery of the crew, heading out into the unknown, to a fishing boat in distress.

Late evening in Water Dale

Water Dale and ancient earthworks

Tuesday 23rd June 2015

At last some nice evening sunshine, so we decided to take a walk from Thixendale heading west. The sun was beginning to go down when I took this shot, hence there is a nice contrast of light and shade. The sweep of the road along Water Dale leads the eye into the picture. On the left are two parallel ditches running from the field boundary to the road, described on the Ordnance survey map as 'Earthwork'. They are probably connected with larger earthworks between Thixendale and Birdsall and are associated with the bronze age, possibly boundary markers, trackways or even a defensive structure.

Which planet am I on?

Spaceship orbiting the planet Zog

Monday 22nd June 2015

What has that picture got to do with posting an image a day? Quite a lot. Photography, like art is in the seeing, connecting and making of an image. I was thinking about the horrible rainy weather today and the lack of sunshine, it being the longest day yesterday. With this in mind, I decided to photograph some sort of object in the studio. I had just checked my emails and found I had a red alert for the aurora borealis (northern lights) tonight, meaning it should be a good display, but in Driffield we are having cloud all night. Somewhat annoyed, I selected a metal ball point pen refill to photograph, intending to show the ball in great detail and lit it from one side. The light also reflected off the metal barrel giving an extra white extraneous light. This produced an image bottom right. In my bit box of things, I caught sight of an old foot massage ball. Looking at it, I knew exactly what I was going to do. The ball point pen was going to be a spacecraft, the foot massage ball a planet. Photographing the ball, again with light on one side, I had a direction for a distant sun! Then with a dark sky, I painted some reds around the planet to remind me of the aurora I will be missing tonight. That is the seeing and connecting to produce an image - with the aid of Photoshop!

Kingfisher

Kingfisher with fish!

Sunday 21st June 2015

The longest day. A friend and I had agreed to meet at Tophill Low Nature Reserve hopefully to photograph a Kingfisher. I had not seen one close up, just a flash of blue alongside river banks, but I was assured they would be active. I arrived about 7.30 opened the door to the hide, to be met with, "He's here", and pointing out of the window. I walked to the window focused and took my picture - how easy was that! Martyn had been there since 4am! had photographed otters, herons and the sunrise on the summer solstice, now that is dedication.

White Horse

The White Horse of Kilburn

Saturday 20th June 2015

Had to go to Thirsk today in the pouring rain. Coming back, the sun was breaking through, so we decided to go the scenic way back, via Kilburn and Coxwold. As we climbed the bank out of Kilburn, I noticed the sun shining on the White Horse and stopped to take the picture. It stands about 220 feet high, was created in 1897 by digging out the topsoil to the limestone base, then whitewashing it! Let into the hillside of Roulston Scar near Sutton Bank, it faces south west, overlooks the Vale of York and can be seen for miles.

The Sun Rose

Cistus, or the Sun Rose, with bee gathering nectar before the flower dies!

Friday 19th June 2015

Baby sitting last night, so no time to post Friday's image of the 'sun rose' and bee, hence this morning's post. This is another of my favourite flowers in our garden and one I find beautiful and sad at the same time. Cistus is a shrub, originally a Mediterranean plant and loves full sun (something lacking at the moment) and a well drained soil. The flowers are about 3 inches (7.5cms) across, the petals being almost like tissue paper. Why sad? Each flower lasts for one day only, so my picture of the bee gathering the nectar is a short lived experience and a moment in time. The good thing is the shrub is full of buds and it is in continuous flower for over a month.

Looking south along the coast

Cornelian Bay, Scarborough

Thursday 18th June 2015

Today I was doing my bit as a volunteer with The Cleveland Way maintenance crew, cleaning, putting in new steps and cutting back vegetation at the southern end of South Cliff Golf Club. What a difference! When we had finished I walked up to the top of the steps and took this view looking south towards Gristhorpe cliffs and Filey Brigg. The weather was not great by this time and I had not taken my main camera with me. The quality of the image from my Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone, is nowhere near as good as my Canon camera!

Brubber Dale

Last light Brubber Dale

Wednesday 17th June 2015

I decided to go to Fridaythorpe to take a picture of the sunset. When I arrived, according to my watch, the sun had already set - I was late! I made my way at a fast trot to the top of Brubber Dale and just managed to get a picture before the sun and the drama disappeared. The track from the right down to the trees is the course of the Yorkshire Wolds Way.

Peruvian Lily

Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lily

Tuesday 16th June 2015

One of my all time favourite plants in our garden is the Alstroemeria. They are perennials, flower from June to October, produce fantastic flowers and we have a few in full sun and part shade. The plants grow to about two feet tall with lots of flowers. The one above is Alstroemeria 'Spitfire', it got a bit knocked in the heavy rain the other day, so my wife picked some and put them in a vase. The plant has already recovered and is flowering again. A great showy plant for borders.

Let there be light

Sunlight on the pew

Monday 15th June 2015

Travelling through Wintringham village and saw a sign for 'Historic Church Open'. I decided to take a look. The Church from the outside is quite majestic, with a tower and a steeple. Inside it is interesting. The pews are Jacobean, made of oak and have turned acorn finials. The sun was streaming in through the lattice windows, creating patterns. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the sunlight on the pew.

Classic view

The Thatched Cottage, Thornton le Dale

Sunday 14th June 2015

Today we had a run out to visit Penny Piece Cottage's garden at Kirkbymoorside in the National Gardens Scheme. What a fantastic cottage garden. We returned along the A170, stopping for ice cream at Balderson's in Thornton le Dale. We had a wander around the village eventually arriving at Beck Isle Cottage, the thatched cottage that has featured on many photographs over the years. I have photographed it in the past, but it has since got a new thatched roof and it looks 'too new'. The cottage was built in the 1600's and is a grade 2 listed building, but the new thatch somehow gives it a more modern appearance. My photograph is a classic view; it doesn't work in colour, but giving it a more antique look, shows off the new thatch, whilst keeping the chocolate box image. This timeless picture could have been taken in the late 1800's!

Spray head

Glass cleaner spray

Saturday 13th June 2015

Out all day today. Arriving back at tea-time, I went to put some things in the garage and noticed I had left the Glass Cleaner spray on the floor. I picked it up, looked at it and decided to photograph it. I lit it with two lights behind and to the sides, hence no ridge detail on the front of the cap. The back lighting shows the translucent nature of the spray head.

New additions on the Driffield Beck

At long last - the future!

Friday 12th June 2015

Taken on the Driffield beck this afternoon. Mummy swan introduces the two little ones (born on Wednesday) to life on the river in Driffield. It was way back on the 22nd April that I took a photograph of mum and dad building the nest. Apparently, the mother sits on the eggs for 40 days, so it is great that at long last there are two new cygnets. Great news also for my grandson who has to check every time we go to feed the ducks, 'that mummy swan is still on the nest and no baby swans yet'.

Red Kite on the Wolds

...well, sort of a beige colour

Thursday 11th June 2015

Beautiful sunshine, so I went out early today and into Cinquefoil Brow near Sledmere, again on Access Land. A pleasant dry valley but with electric fences and cattle, not very welcoming! I walked along the valley bottom and then climbed up the northern side to investigate something I could see above the gorse bushes. As I got to the top there was a red kite on a wire, attached to a pole! I have seen quite a few of these on the Wolds, but not up close. Got home and 'Googled' it to find out more. Apparently, they are very effective at 'scaring' pigeons, rooks, crows, geese and gulls and cost £12.99 on Amazon! What is wrong with the old 'scarecrow', have they all retired to Wetwang?

Hairy monster in the garden!

Pulsatilla Vulgaris (Pasque Flower)

Wednesday 10th June 2015

Walking down our drive, when an odd looking plant caught my eye. I can't say I have ever noticed it before. I consulted the oracle on plant life (my wife). "You probably remember the flower, it has purple petals with a yellow centre, that's the seed heads, you're looking at". There I was looking at some sort of hairy monster, but I could not relate to the flower. "Look at the label" (good idea). Then I remembered. It is one of the first perennials to flower in the garden. It is a beautiful flower, but I had no idea that the seed heads were so hairy and exquisite. It reminded me of a dandelion clock. I took my photographs, stood up and there were loads of hairy 'things' with seed heads attached to my arm. So that's how the plant spreads the seed! 

A picture of serenity

Well Dale

Tuesday 9th June 2015

The forecast today was good so it was back into the Wolds today. I enjoyed a pleasant morning stroll along part of the Minster Way and then dropped down into Well Dale. The gorse was beginning to lose it's beautiful vivid yellow colour, but still looked good. Well Dale is on Access land, so not many people go there, even the sheep looked surprised to see someone. I found it very peaceful and serene and was reluctant to leave.

The majestic Malham Cove

Malham Cove & Malham Beck

Monday 8th June 2015

Up early to get a parking spot in Malham village, then it was off to Gordale Scar via Janet's Foss waterfall. It was the first time I had been to Gordale Scar and I found it a very powerful place. We didn't do the scramble up the waterfall (too much water). We then went across country to Malham Cove, which by the time we arrived, had three coach loads of children on their geology field trip! The cloud was beginning to move in and rain was forecast, so we wandered back to the car and headed home.

Moored for the night

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Gargrave

Sunday 7th June 2015

Decided to have a night in the Dales, hence no Sunday post. However, this image was taken at Gargrave just west of Skipton on Sunday evening as I walked down to the pub in the village. The narrow boat is moored on the Liverpool side of the Gargrave Locks, the A65 road crosses the bridge in the background. Lovely early evening sunshine a great meal and Timothy Taylors 'Landlord' at the Masons Arms - wonderful.

London Pride

London Pride

Saturday 6th June 2015

We have quite a lot of 'London Pride' in our garden. From three plants two years ago, it has now spread and covers quite a large area. It has evergreen scalloped foliage with lots of tiny flowers (at their best at the moment) on succulent stems. It is only when up close you can actually see what beautiful flowers the plant has. Taken with a macro lens.

Last light on the harbour

Scarborough Harbour

Friday 5th June 2015

Confined to the house today, but had to take my father back to Scarborough this evening. I drove around the Marine Drive; the sun was semi hidden behind the clouds. I decided to park up near the harbour and have a quick wander around. No sooner had I got out of the car and walked onto the pier, than the low sun burst from the clouds and with a very dark sky out at sea, gave me the contrast I was looking for. The wind blowing the Jolly Roger on the 'Hispaniola' adds a touch of mystery to the image.

Skidby Windmill

Skidby Windmill

Thursday 4th June 2015

Visited Skidby windmill today and the Museum of East Riding Rural Life contained within the windmill http://www.museums.eastriding.gov.uk/skidby-mill/. What a great assett this is to the East Riding. It is a working windmill and produces flour (when the wind is right - but not today). It tells the story of the East Riding in easy to follow sequences, with just the right amount of text, so as not to switch off! There is also a very nice tearoom - Sails Cafe http://www.sailscafe.com/index.html Go there!

Three Bears on the A64!

The Three Bears Band

Wednesday 3rd June 2015

Returning from Scarborough mid afternoon, half way up Staxton Hill came across an artic across the road not able to get up the bank. There was a queue both directions, So I did a 'U' turn and headed along the A64 making for Sherburn. That was when I saw the three bears in the field. Brilliant! Had to turn around and get a shot of them. Not long to the Staxtonbury Music festival http://www.staxtonbury.com/ now, opens 3rd July

Blue Clematis

Blue Clematis

Tuesday 2nd June 2015

I had been meaning to take a photograph of our blue clematis for a few days now. I have never seen so many huge flowers, it was almost sagging with the weight of them. Sadly, I left it too late. After last night's high winds, it looked pretty sick today. A lot of the petals were just hanging down, but there was one flower that was open. I noticed that the stamens instead of being open to the insect world, were closed up in a tight ball. Was this their protection from the unseasonal cold?

The lull before the storm

Flamborough Head

Monday 1st June 2015

Taken this evening just below Flamborough Head lighthouse. The Driffield Photographic Society summer outdoor meetings began today and at 1925 hours, I wanted to capture the last bit of sunshine before the storm arrived! Our meeting point was on the Headland, I decided to go down onto the beach and photograph this rock stack. The wind was whipping up the waves out at sea, but in this bay, all was calm. The tide was on it's way out and I particularly like the way the sea is rippling, almost like someone has covered it in cling film or bubble wrap. Shortly after this picture was taken, we had to retire to the pub to take shelter!