Lands End in January
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Don't forget to click on the gallery images to enlarge
Don't forget to click on the gallery images to enlarge
Tuesday 31st January:
Still very little sunshine and a chilly north west wind as I made my way over to Marazion. Mostly experimenting with different shutter speeds today on a largely empty beach apart from a few dog walkers.The surf forecast is giving the sea picking up over the next few days so lets hope I can get out in the car soon.
Still very little sunshine and a chilly north west wind as I made my way over to Marazion. Mostly experimenting with different shutter speeds today on a largely empty beach apart from a few dog walkers.The surf forecast is giving the sea picking up over the next few days so lets hope I can get out in the car soon.
Monday 30th January:
Another grey day with little movement in the sea and my back better but not quite right. I don't want to use the car yet so in the afternoon I walked over to the far end of Newlyn and spent some time around the Old Quay and the little original harbour. There is always plenty of interest here with boats that have seen better days in amongst those that have many years of life ahead of them. I took my oldest camera, a Fuji X-E1 and a selection of prime lenses and everything, because of the flat grey light, in black and white. The last few images taken on Larigan Beach on my way back.
Another grey day with little movement in the sea and my back better but not quite right. I don't want to use the car yet so in the afternoon I walked over to the far end of Newlyn and spent some time around the Old Quay and the little original harbour. There is always plenty of interest here with boats that have seen better days in amongst those that have many years of life ahead of them. I took my oldest camera, a Fuji X-E1 and a selection of prime lenses and everything, because of the flat grey light, in black and white. The last few images taken on Larigan Beach on my way back.
Sunday 29th January:
A mild but dark and grey morning as I walked around town and then down to the harbour. A large group of dolphins or porpoises in the bay, busy feeding so no time for leaping and playing, too far out to photograph anyway. Lots of human activity, small fishing boats out after the mackerel, Sunday morning swimmers and joggers, anglers off out to sea for a days sport and several gigs out training.
A mild but dark and grey morning as I walked around town and then down to the harbour. A large group of dolphins or porpoises in the bay, busy feeding so no time for leaping and playing, too far out to photograph anyway. Lots of human activity, small fishing boats out after the mackerel, Sunday morning swimmers and joggers, anglers off out to sea for a days sport and several gigs out training.
Friday 27th January:
A night time walk-all handheld with a 23mm prime lens on a Fuji X-T3.
Very pleasant, not too cold and not a breath of wind.
A night time walk-all handheld with a 23mm prime lens on a Fuji X-T3.
Very pleasant, not too cold and not a breath of wind.
Thursday 26th January:
Bit of a relapse with my back yesterday but this morning I was up and out in the dark but will be walking only today.
I made my way down to the harbour and by luck a fishing boat was just docking and with some good pre-dawn colour the scene had some real interest and action. Plenty of wild seawater swimmers about and a couple of them were having a coffee and watching the sun come up. An egret had discovered a food source in the outdoor pool and was very happy splashing about but he stayed well away from the deep end.
Bit of a relapse with my back yesterday but this morning I was up and out in the dark but will be walking only today.
I made my way down to the harbour and by luck a fishing boat was just docking and with some good pre-dawn colour the scene had some real interest and action. Plenty of wild seawater swimmers about and a couple of them were having a coffee and watching the sun come up. An egret had discovered a food source in the outdoor pool and was very happy splashing about but he stayed well away from the deep end.
The docking of the Louisa-N Pz. 101
...and a few others
Tuesday Afternoon:
Having decided this morning not to go out in the car - this afternoon I went out in the car. I drove up to Levant and spent a couple of hours walking amongst the workings, along the coast path towards the lighthouse and then back across the fields to the workings. Here I met a lady with two, never stop running, spaniels, one a water lover and the other a rabbit hunter. On the way home I stopped at Higher Bal Mine and even a stop in the lane that leads to the Crowns Engine Houses.
All the images below were taken with an infrared converted very old Panasonic camera with the images then changed to black and white. Cloudless blue skies and wall to wall sunshine.
Having decided this morning not to go out in the car - this afternoon I went out in the car. I drove up to Levant and spent a couple of hours walking amongst the workings, along the coast path towards the lighthouse and then back across the fields to the workings. Here I met a lady with two, never stop running, spaniels, one a water lover and the other a rabbit hunter. On the way home I stopped at Higher Bal Mine and even a stop in the lane that leads to the Crowns Engine Houses.
All the images below were taken with an infrared converted very old Panasonic camera with the images then changed to black and white. Cloudless blue skies and wall to wall sunshine.
Tuesday 24th January:
Yesterday's trip in the car didn't do my back a lot of good so back to a short walk down the road forty five minutes before sunrise. No clouds and everything iced over, even the pebbles on the beach-very unusual down here. Hardly a cloud in the sky but a pink hue over the scene. Not a breath of wind and a lot of seagulls active so I suspect some fish dumping overnight. I didn't stay out long as my fingers were numb and you could see the actual sunrise would be harsh and not really worth freezing for.
Yesterday's trip in the car didn't do my back a lot of good so back to a short walk down the road forty five minutes before sunrise. No clouds and everything iced over, even the pebbles on the beach-very unusual down here. Hardly a cloud in the sky but a pink hue over the scene. Not a breath of wind and a lot of seagulls active so I suspect some fish dumping overnight. I didn't stay out long as my fingers were numb and you could see the actual sunrise would be harsh and not really worth freezing for.
Monday Afternoon:
My first trip out in the car for a while and this afternoon I drove down to Hayle and walked out along the estuary. Very flat light and so mostly black and white images below. Several boats waiting for the tide to flood before they could navigate the estuary. The river has taken a very meandering course at the moment and plenty of ever shifting sand banks. One boat tried to come over the bar but was caught by waves and had to rapidly abort and power back out to sea. Not an easy place to work from.
My first trip out in the car for a while and this afternoon I drove down to Hayle and walked out along the estuary. Very flat light and so mostly black and white images below. Several boats waiting for the tide to flood before they could navigate the estuary. The river has taken a very meandering course at the moment and plenty of ever shifting sand banks. One boat tried to come over the bar but was caught by waves and had to rapidly abort and power back out to sea. Not an easy place to work from.
Monday 23rd January:
After a couple of days out of action I was out on a pre sunrise photowalk this morning. A very chilly south east breeze on the seafront but some lovely pre dawn colour.
After a couple of days out of action I was out on a pre sunrise photowalk this morning. A very chilly south east breeze on the seafront but some lovely pre dawn colour.
Friday 20th January:
Still no car travelling for me so to ring the changes I went for another photo walk but this time to Newlyn and in the dark. Always plenty of lights around the harbour at Newlyn which helps but I also used a fast prime lens
(Viltrox 23mm f/1.4) and high ISO (800) if you are interested in the technical details.
Still no car travelling for me so to ring the changes I went for another photo walk but this time to Newlyn and in the dark. Always plenty of lights around the harbour at Newlyn which helps but I also used a fast prime lens
(Viltrox 23mm f/1.4) and high ISO (800) if you are interested in the technical details.
Thursday 19th January:
Still unable to sit in the car so I set off on "Penzance Photowalk Number 2". It was sunny and quite warm today so perhaps our brief winter down here is coming to an end. I actually ended up walking bits of Penzance I've never been to before despite living here for 70 years. The images are all in the order they were taken and are all Fuji Jpegs using the Velvia Vivid Film Simulation. Yesterday was a Fuji Acros black and white film simulation. I can't sit at the computer for long at the moment to process raw files.
Still unable to sit in the car so I set off on "Penzance Photowalk Number 2". It was sunny and quite warm today so perhaps our brief winter down here is coming to an end. I actually ended up walking bits of Penzance I've never been to before despite living here for 70 years. The images are all in the order they were taken and are all Fuji Jpegs using the Velvia Vivid Film Simulation. Yesterday was a Fuji Acros black and white film simulation. I can't sit at the computer for long at the moment to process raw files.
Wednesday 18th January:
On Monday evening my back decided to seize up and so yesterday I spent most of it on the floor. Today I couldn't sit down but at least I could walk and so went out for a photowalk on a grey chilly afternoon.
Some dramatic clouds but still no sign of snow around here. Apparently it got within a few miles yesterday but I missed the chance of some snowy photos unfortunately. Hoping I might be able to get in the car by tomorrow.
On Monday evening my back decided to seize up and so yesterday I spent most of it on the floor. Today I couldn't sit down but at least I could walk and so went out for a photowalk on a grey chilly afternoon.
Some dramatic clouds but still no sign of snow around here. Apparently it got within a few miles yesterday but I missed the chance of some snowy photos unfortunately. Hoping I might be able to get in the car by tomorrow.
Monday 16th January:
An afternoon at Sennen in ever changing light. Colour, black and white and a bit of experimentation.
An afternoon at Sennen in ever changing light. Colour, black and white and a bit of experimentation.
Black and White
A bit of experimentation
Sunday 15th January:
A mixture of rain and hail today, fleeting glimpses of light but mostly dark and grey. At about 2 o'clock I set off for a photo drive stopping at Sancreed, Sancreed Beacon and St Just with a few other stops along the way. The length of each stop dependent on the rain and hail squalls. At St Just there was a longer dryish spell so as well as coffee and cake from "The Moomaid of Zennor" I had a little explore of the towns backstreets and ended up in the freezing wind on top of Carn Bosavern.
A mixture of rain and hail today, fleeting glimpses of light but mostly dark and grey. At about 2 o'clock I set off for a photo drive stopping at Sancreed, Sancreed Beacon and St Just with a few other stops along the way. The length of each stop dependent on the rain and hail squalls. At St Just there was a longer dryish spell so as well as coffee and cake from "The Moomaid of Zennor" I had a little explore of the towns backstreets and ended up in the freezing wind on top of Carn Bosavern.
Saturday 14th January:
Yesterday I spent the afternoon at Cape Cornwall so today I thought it would make a change to see how many different compositions I could find of the Cape from some distance away. I wandered around the lanes and into the fields above Kenidjack Valley looking for views down to the Cape. It was blowing a hooligan and rain threatening all along the horizon. No direct sun but just a little hazy light before the rain moved closer and closer. We hurried back to the car. that was parked above the Crowns Engine houses but as the rain swept in it just missed us to the east.
There is one image below showing the rain approaching the engine houses.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon at Cape Cornwall so today I thought it would make a change to see how many different compositions I could find of the Cape from some distance away. I wandered around the lanes and into the fields above Kenidjack Valley looking for views down to the Cape. It was blowing a hooligan and rain threatening all along the horizon. No direct sun but just a little hazy light before the rain moved closer and closer. We hurried back to the car. that was parked above the Crowns Engine houses but as the rain swept in it just missed us to the east.
There is one image below showing the rain approaching the engine houses.
Friday 13th January:
An enjoyable afternoon wandering around at Cape Cornwall in a brisk westerly wind. Warm with bright sunshine to begin with followed by clouds and light rays and then a cool grey blue hue to the light. When the tide starts flooding at Cape the waves tend to get bigger and today was no exception by dusk the swells were huge. No sunset colour but then you can't have everything. Only three cars in the car park when I arrived but it won't be long before the spring weather begins to attract a few more visitors,
An enjoyable afternoon wandering around at Cape Cornwall in a brisk westerly wind. Warm with bright sunshine to begin with followed by clouds and light rays and then a cool grey blue hue to the light. When the tide starts flooding at Cape the waves tend to get bigger and today was no exception by dusk the swells were huge. No sunset colour but then you can't have everything. Only three cars in the car park when I arrived but it won't be long before the spring weather begins to attract a few more visitors,
Thursday 12th January:
On the north coast again this afternoon but 5 miles further east at Bosigran and boy was it rough. I didn't go out onto the headland but went down to the right into Castle Bay. Up at the top it was gale force but down the bottom, as close to the sea as I dared, it was calmer as I found shelter behind some rocks. The sun kept coming and going and it lit up the waves beautifully at times.
On the north coast again this afternoon but 5 miles further east at Bosigran and boy was it rough. I didn't go out onto the headland but went down to the right into Castle Bay. Up at the top it was gale force but down the bottom, as close to the sea as I dared, it was calmer as I found shelter behind some rocks. The sun kept coming and going and it lit up the waves beautifully at times.
Wednesday 11th January:
A couple of hours back at Pendeen but this time I took the coast path around to Portheras Beach. The wind was stronger and the sea rougher than yesterday and as the tide began to make some of the sets of swells became enormous. I spent some time trying to catch images of gulls above the waves but at the same time keeping an eye open for those bigger waves. The first image is a bit deceptive as within half an hour of getting down to the beach some of the waves were rushing up nearly to the rocks at the back of the beach. I found myself knee deep a few times but I was wearing boots and waterproof trousers. When you are low down the approaching swells can look really ominous and you feel they might cover the whole beach and you included.
A couple of hours back at Pendeen but this time I took the coast path around to Portheras Beach. The wind was stronger and the sea rougher than yesterday and as the tide began to make some of the sets of swells became enormous. I spent some time trying to catch images of gulls above the waves but at the same time keeping an eye open for those bigger waves. The first image is a bit deceptive as within half an hour of getting down to the beach some of the waves were rushing up nearly to the rocks at the back of the beach. I found myself knee deep a few times but I was wearing boots and waterproof trousers. When you are low down the approaching swells can look really ominous and you feel they might cover the whole beach and you included.
Tuesday 10th January:
No sun at all today and a very strong south westerly blowing. Looking at the map for shelter I decided to go back to Boat Cove at Pendeen. What attracted me most for a return visit was that it was a very big spring tide and was low tide early in the afternoon. At the top near the lighthouse you could hardly open the car doors but down in the cove it was really quiet and sheltered. The tide was further out than I've ever witnessed here with quite a little beach uncovered. Just as on my last visit a few days ago the gannets were diving around me and very close in to the shore.
When I started you could just make out Gurnards Head in the distance but as the afternoon wore on the visibility became less and less. By the time I packed up the forecast rain had arrived and the mist was descending.
No sun at all today and a very strong south westerly blowing. Looking at the map for shelter I decided to go back to Boat Cove at Pendeen. What attracted me most for a return visit was that it was a very big spring tide and was low tide early in the afternoon. At the top near the lighthouse you could hardly open the car doors but down in the cove it was really quiet and sheltered. The tide was further out than I've ever witnessed here with quite a little beach uncovered. Just as on my last visit a few days ago the gannets were diving around me and very close in to the shore.
When I started you could just make out Gurnards Head in the distance but as the afternoon wore on the visibility became less and less. By the time I packed up the forecast rain had arrived and the mist was descending.
An example of intentional camera movement from yesterday-I'm really getting to like this kind of image.
Monday 9th January:
A very strong and chilly north westerly blowing today but this afternoon I found myself overdressed and all alone on a normally busy beach. I started off heading for Porthchapel Beach but at the last minute turned left up into Treen Village and then down the lane and down the cliffs onto a perfectly sheltered Pedn Vounder Beach. This is the first time I have ever been on this beach with not a footprint in sight, totally pristine sand, just half a surfboard making its mark as each wave pushed it further up the bank. Even in winter there are normally a few naturists down here.
Quite grey to begin with and then a period of hazy purple light with a sheen on the sea. Every now and again a really big set of swells saw me scurrying up the sand. With an offshore wind the tops were being blown off the waves and out to sea hundreds of gannets were diving. As I packed up and made my way back up the steep path the light faded and the sky became much darker.
A very strong and chilly north westerly blowing today but this afternoon I found myself overdressed and all alone on a normally busy beach. I started off heading for Porthchapel Beach but at the last minute turned left up into Treen Village and then down the lane and down the cliffs onto a perfectly sheltered Pedn Vounder Beach. This is the first time I have ever been on this beach with not a footprint in sight, totally pristine sand, just half a surfboard making its mark as each wave pushed it further up the bank. Even in winter there are normally a few naturists down here.
Quite grey to begin with and then a period of hazy purple light with a sheen on the sea. Every now and again a really big set of swells saw me scurrying up the sand. With an offshore wind the tops were being blown off the waves and out to sea hundreds of gannets were diving. As I packed up and made my way back up the steep path the light faded and the sky became much darker.
Sunday 8th January:
Another hat holding afternoon up on the cliffs at Botallack. A short spell of dry weather saw me down near sea level but keeping a lookout to the west as more heavy rain was on its way. Going across the narrow path, with a sheer drop either side, in a near gale force wind was a bit hairy but all part of the fun and excitement. No other photographers in sight this afternoon, hardly a surprise really.
Some big swells, lovely sunshine for twenty minutes or so and a few hovering birds all added to the scene. With the wind behind me I flew up the cliff and got back to the car just as the heavens opened. Better than staying home watching football and snooker.
Another hat holding afternoon up on the cliffs at Botallack. A short spell of dry weather saw me down near sea level but keeping a lookout to the west as more heavy rain was on its way. Going across the narrow path, with a sheer drop either side, in a near gale force wind was a bit hairy but all part of the fun and excitement. No other photographers in sight this afternoon, hardly a surprise really.
Some big swells, lovely sunshine for twenty minutes or so and a few hovering birds all added to the scene. With the wind behind me I flew up the cliff and got back to the car just as the heavens opened. Better than staying home watching football and snooker.
Twenty minutes of sunshine
Friday 6th January:
A largely wet day with a very strong south westerly wind. In the middle of the afternoon it promised to dry up a bit so we drove up to Pendeen Lighthouse and then walked down to Boat Cove. It was really sheltered once down there and the sea had a lovely blue colour. A bit of mist and light rain now and again but really better than I'd expected. Across towards Portheras beach there were a lot of gannets diving, some just a few yards off the shore.
A largely wet day with a very strong south westerly wind. In the middle of the afternoon it promised to dry up a bit so we drove up to Pendeen Lighthouse and then walked down to Boat Cove. It was really sheltered once down there and the sea had a lovely blue colour. A bit of mist and light rain now and again but really better than I'd expected. Across towards Portheras beach there were a lot of gannets diving, some just a few yards off the shore.
Thursday 5th December:
After lunch we drove down to Sennen Cove where I knew it would be out of the worst of the wind. As we arrived in the car park the sun made an unexpected appearance and it was a mad rush to capture the light before it faded. For that short period the sea was a beautiful summer blue colour and as the light moved across the bay it lit up the cliffs at Gwenver and then on to Cape Cornwall. After that excitement we made our way to the top of the cliffs where the wind was howling and Alison kept getting blown over. She set off for a walk up on the more sheltered cycle path and I set off into the gale to find the wild horses. They were down the cliff halfway to Lands End so I spent some time lying in the grass near them waiting for them to lift their heads but they are real lawnmowers that hardly stop for breath. One decided I looked hungry and came and offered me a mouthful.
After that I perched myself above the wreck of the Mulheim that ran aground in 2003. The story is that the Chief Officer managed to fall and knock himself out by getting his trousers caught on a lever of his chair and by the time he regained consciousness it was too late. The crew were rescued by coastguards and helicopter but as you can see it hasn't taken long for the sea to destroy the ship.
As sunset approached there was another burst of light as the sun found a gap in the clouds over Lands End. Again for a short while it was a mad dash to capture some images of the light, made even more difficult by the wind that made standing difficult let alone taking photographs.
After lunch we drove down to Sennen Cove where I knew it would be out of the worst of the wind. As we arrived in the car park the sun made an unexpected appearance and it was a mad rush to capture the light before it faded. For that short period the sea was a beautiful summer blue colour and as the light moved across the bay it lit up the cliffs at Gwenver and then on to Cape Cornwall. After that excitement we made our way to the top of the cliffs where the wind was howling and Alison kept getting blown over. She set off for a walk up on the more sheltered cycle path and I set off into the gale to find the wild horses. They were down the cliff halfway to Lands End so I spent some time lying in the grass near them waiting for them to lift their heads but they are real lawnmowers that hardly stop for breath. One decided I looked hungry and came and offered me a mouthful.
After that I perched myself above the wreck of the Mulheim that ran aground in 2003. The story is that the Chief Officer managed to fall and knock himself out by getting his trousers caught on a lever of his chair and by the time he regained consciousness it was too late. The crew were rescued by coastguards and helicopter but as you can see it hasn't taken long for the sea to destroy the ship.
As sunset approached there was another burst of light as the sun found a gap in the clouds over Lands End. Again for a short while it was a mad dash to capture some images of the light, made even more difficult by the wind that made standing difficult let alone taking photographs.
Wednesday 4th January:
A very pleasant afternoon wander around Porthleven. Relatively quiet with just a few Christmas visitors still around enjoying a warm and dry day. No sun but at least a break from yesterday's rain. Quite a swell running making the outer harbour a bit of a whirlpool and the boards down to protect the boats. The Christmas lights providing colour for a few more days and then life will be back to normal.
A very pleasant afternoon wander around Porthleven. Relatively quiet with just a few Christmas visitors still around enjoying a warm and dry day. No sun but at least a break from yesterday's rain. Quite a swell running making the outer harbour a bit of a whirlpool and the boards down to protect the boats. The Christmas lights providing colour for a few more days and then life will be back to normal.
Last few days of colour
Tuesday 3rd January:
What an afternoon at Lands End! Rain, mist and near gale force winds made photography just a little difficult. I had the camera in a protective plastic cover but with so much water on the cover and my glasses I had little idea if anything was in focus. On the cliff edges the wind was so strong I had trouble standing but at least it was blowing inland. I had to have the ISO up at 1600 to get a fast enough shutter speed as it was impossible to hold the camera steady.
The lighthouse kept disappearing and at times even the sea was almost lost from view. There were a few people about but the signpost photographer hadn't bothered to turn up. The images in the gallery are shown in the order they were taken and I even stayed into the dark as a few lights came on. There was no more a few seconds of colour around official sunset time but it went as suddenly as it appeared, just leaving a purple hue as you can see in the few colour images. As you'll see from one of the images I even witnessed a ship collide with the lighthouse1
What an afternoon at Lands End! Rain, mist and near gale force winds made photography just a little difficult. I had the camera in a protective plastic cover but with so much water on the cover and my glasses I had little idea if anything was in focus. On the cliff edges the wind was so strong I had trouble standing but at least it was blowing inland. I had to have the ISO up at 1600 to get a fast enough shutter speed as it was impossible to hold the camera steady.
The lighthouse kept disappearing and at times even the sea was almost lost from view. There were a few people about but the signpost photographer hadn't bothered to turn up. The images in the gallery are shown in the order they were taken and I even stayed into the dark as a few lights came on. There was no more a few seconds of colour around official sunset time but it went as suddenly as it appeared, just leaving a purple hue as you can see in the few colour images. As you'll see from one of the images I even witnessed a ship collide with the lighthouse1
Monday 2nd January:
With one day of sunshine predicted before a week of wind and rain I thought I'd better make the effort to get out for sunrise. As it was low tide I headed for Long Rock in the hope of reflections in the wet sand but not enough cloud apart from a band behind the Mount. Lots of people about and a very elegant young horse practising dressage before sunrise. It was very still and a bit chilly with a haze over the sea before the sun rose and burnt it off. With little cloud the sunrise was very brief as the light became far too harsh within a few minutes.
With one day of sunshine predicted before a week of wind and rain I thought I'd better make the effort to get out for sunrise. As it was low tide I headed for Long Rock in the hope of reflections in the wet sand but not enough cloud apart from a band behind the Mount. Lots of people about and a very elegant young horse practising dressage before sunrise. It was very still and a bit chilly with a haze over the sea before the sun rose and burnt it off. With little cloud the sunrise was very brief as the light became far too harsh within a few minutes.
Sunday 1st January:
After a couple of days of rain and not feeling well- in bed by 9pm on New Years Eve- I managed to get out for a while this afternoon. Still very grey but drier for a while after lunch as we drove up to Hells Mouth between Hayle and Portreath.
Very busy everywhere as locals and lots of visitors were out and about, probably after a late night. Godrevy car parks were totally full and the road lined with cars. Quieter up at Hells Mouth but still a number of families peering over the edge of the cliffs. Lots of seabirds and seals to look at but the sea surprisingly calm after the weather we have had recently.
After a couple of days of rain and not feeling well- in bed by 9pm on New Years Eve- I managed to get out for a while this afternoon. Still very grey but drier for a while after lunch as we drove up to Hells Mouth between Hayle and Portreath.
Very busy everywhere as locals and lots of visitors were out and about, probably after a late night. Godrevy car parks were totally full and the road lined with cars. Quieter up at Hells Mouth but still a number of families peering over the edge of the cliffs. Lots of seabirds and seals to look at but the sea surprisingly calm after the weather we have had recently.