Saturday, December 29, 2007

Lake District


Lake District
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
We stayed in the town of Keswick, which is right on Derwent Water. With trees changing color, layered hills in the distance, and the expanse of the lake itself, it was a very pretty place to be. I could see why it attracts English tourists.

Thicket


Thicket
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Even though the overcast day took away from the potential of crystal blue lake photos, the red berries of this bush add some nice color.

Derwent Water


Derwent Water
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Every once in a while, an image calls out to be displayed in black and white. While the lake scene is quite beautiful, the day was overcast and muted all the colors. But mostly, the shapes and tones are what made this photo for me, not the color.

At Rest


At Rest
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Walking around the lake, I saw a seagull perched on a branch in the middle of an otherwise empty patch of water. I composed a photo like this in my head and then found the way to frame it.

Running Water


Running Water
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
I've like the misty effect of time-lapse waterfall photos I've seen, so I was excited to have a chance to shoot my own. This small falls is around the far end of Derwent Water, part of a stream that feeds the lake.

Standing Guard


Standing Guard
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
For all the world, Caerphilly Castle reminds me of a batleship floating in a lake. This one's got a drawbridge and ducks in the water, though.

Ruin


Ruin
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
One tower at Caerphilly Castle cracked completely at some point in its history and now leans precipitously towards the moat. We pushed, but couldn't knock it down.

The lighting threw off my camera's meter so badly that I almost couldn't execute this shot. What you see is digitally enhanced (mostly for contrast and brightness).

Arches in Conwy


Arches in Conwy
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Conwy Castle is a ruin, and a lovely one at that. Combined with the remains of an ancient stone wall that circled the city (and now cuts through it at a few interesting places) and some of the best Indian food I've eaten since...well since Delhi, it made for a really nice overnight stay.

The walls, towers, and arches were mostly intact even though the roof was completely gone.

Nice View for Sheep


Nice View for Sheep
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Driving through Snowdonia, we came across this pastoral landscape, complete with a rock wall and flock of sheep in the background.

Along the river


Along the river
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Snowdonia is a beautiful area. Unfortunately, we saw most of it in the dark. But we returned to this river and lush green area near Betws-y-coed.

Amber Fields


Amber Fields
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
On the way out of Wales and into the Lake District of England.


Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
From Bath, we rented a car and drove through Wales (and survived the drive, too!). Beautiful country with forests, rivers, castles, and more unpronouncable words than you can shake a stick at.

This scene was in a public park in Cardiff.

King of the Hill


King of the Hill
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Cardiff Castle is a varied collection of styles and buildings reflecting its varied history. This keep is from the original Norman castle.

Looking Out


Looking Out
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
The view out of that castle keep. Modern Cardiff framed by ancient Cardiff.

The Path Stretches On


The Path Stretches On
Originally uploaded by 24thcentury.
Crossing back over the river in the middle of Cardiff city offered this very fine view.