A tour of the valley of Spence's River

    Click on the images for a larger version.  All images copyright Leslie Ashe.

We spent a day exploring either side of the valley containing Spence's River in the Mourne Mountains.  Starting at Rourkes Park we headed up Round Seefin to Long Seefin to a granite quarry on the side of Rocky Mountain.  A couple of hares were spotted in the distance while we were having or first stop of the day but they were too far away to photograph.

View from Round Seefin

Reflections

Long Seefin looking back to Round Seefin

We visited the quarry to look again at the "quadrant stones" to try to figure out what they would be used for but unfortunately they have been removed.  The following images are from May 2015.

Next stop was on the other side of the valley where we wanted to look at some other granite workings.  When we got there we came across a mare with a foal and bizarrely a clump of daffodils.

A stiffish climb through heather and rocks took us to the summit of Chimney Rock which commanded a wide view over an extensive area of the Mournes.  

At this point we realised we were a short distance away from a WW2 plane crash site and decided to try to find some of the aircraft remains.  The aircraft, a Martin Marauder B26, crashed on a training flight on 10 April 1944 and unfortunately all 5 crew were killed.

Engine cowling

Part of the landing gear

A closer look at the landing gear showed that the split pins securing some of the nuts were still shiny after 77 years.

For more information about the circumstances of the crash visit http://www.chimneyrockb26crash.com

We want to return again some time and do a more detailed search for other parts.

On the way back out we visited a couple of abandoned cottages.  It must have been difficult trying to eke out an existence such poor land.

To gain access laneways had be built and a ford provided across Spence's River

A return visit to explore this whole area further is well warranted.

Back to the mountains

    Click on the images for a larger version.  All images copyright Leslie Ashe.

First day back in the Mourne Mountains since 17 December 2020.  Trassey Track to Slievenaglogh and along the wall over Corragh, Commedagh to the saddle with Donard and back along the Brandy Pad through the Hares Gap.  Started cold and bright, clouds built a bit by mid-day and then broke up again in the afternoon.  In shelter from the wind it was glorious and some time was spent  on 2 long stops to eat and soak up the rays. 

Photographically I took the opportunity to photograph the millstone on Slievenaglogh with the camera as I only had my phone with me the last time.  The low sun in November provided better light the last time!  The arrival of the clouds helped break up the early clear blue sky and provided light and shade patterns.  

Worryingly the steps on the side of Commedagh have been further undermined with some more collapsing and also undermining a part of the wall which will collapse one of these days.

A selfie!

Cut granite

The millstone

A glimpse of the Pot of Legawherry

Collapsing steps and wall

View over County Down

Bluebells

   Click on the images for a larger version.  All images copyright Leslie Ashe.

Bluebells in the rain.  The forecast was cloudy but it forgot to tell me that the cloud would contain heavy rain.  However, the light was soft and perfectly suited to the subject. The trees initially provided some shelter but by the end of 2 hours I was fairly wet (my waterproof jacket didn't let in but my trousers were well soaked from the rain dripping off my jacket).  The conditions meant that I didn't change lenses and the lack of wind and the use of the lens hood meant that the front element stayed dry.  Other than that the gear had water running of it by the end!

The following is a selection of pictures including one ICM which didn't really come off so I must experiment with this a bit more. Previous ICM attempts which were more successful used a shutter speed of 1/5th whereas today I used 1 second.  The ICM attempts were at the end of the session so the only thing I can say about not using different shutter speeds is that I was tired and wet!  No commitment, must try harder!

Wild garlic and bluebells

ICM

Staying local

  Click on the images for a larger version.  All images copyright Leslie Ashe.

 Staying local I paid an afternoon visit to Orlock and spent some time doing a recce for future images when the conditions are better.  These were taken on a day with bright sunshine and occasional hazy cloud.  It was quite windy and images of a choppy sea didn't really appeal so I ended up doing long exposures with the D810 and some detail shots with my phone.   I noticed the thrift is coming into bloom so this will a location for an evening visit with the macro lens when we have little or no wind and when the warm light will accentuate the colours of the thrift.

The location:

The image:

In the next one I liked the contrast between the green and brown/orange seaweed:

Belfast Lough sunset 22 April 2021

 Click on the images for a larger version.  All images copyright Leslie Ashe.

It had been a clear blue sky day but a few wispy bits of high cloud appeared over County Antrim an hour before sunset.  A 15 minute drive took me to Grey Point where I enjoyed a quiet hour but busy hour as the sun went down. There was little wind but the sea still had a few ruffles on it so I used the 6 and 10 stop Lee stoppers (not together!) to smooth out the water and provide muted reflections. The time between the first and last images was 1 hour.

The sun was quite harsh before it dropped behind the Knockagh Hill and I used this time to photograph at 90 degrees from the sun.  This provided the first 3 images.

Looking east

Looking west

Once the sun had dropped behind the hills I turned my attention to the colour in the sky and reflected in the sea for the final two images.  I wasn't altogether happy with the composition of these two as I would have liked to get down lower but just where I was it would have proved a difficult scramble so I stayed high. 

40 minutes - 5 images

  Click on the images for a larger version.  All images copyright Leslie Ashe.

I had the idea of using the streams of water coming off the beach as leading lines towards a partly cloudy sky lit by the rising sun.  However, over the course of 40 minutes around sunrise the cloud dissipated and then reformed without really lighting up as I had hoped.  

I don't think this really works at his time of the year, even if the sky really lit up.  I need to return when the rising sun is more north-easterly say from the end of May through to mid-July so that the main beach streams and pools are more aligned with where the sun will rise.  This means a much earlier start as sunrise will range from 5am to 4.45 at the solstice and back to 5am.  At least it should be warmer than it has been of late!  

Even though the images were not what I had hoped for, it was good to be out with absolutely no-one else around and just the sound of the waves and the birds for company.