Came across Takahiro Yamamoto’s FlickR photos and thought I would share a link with you. Well worth a few minutes to browse though some stunning images from Japan. My favourites are these from Tokyo showing the cherry blossom. Click on the link below to view.
And these Leaves are rather nice too.
We had a bit of a photo session the other week. Hugh can down to my garage with a better camera and some lighting. The plan was to photograph some trees with a view to submitting them for selection in the Best of British Exhibition next year. You never know a few might be selected but we had good fun anyway taking the shots.
These are some of the trees we shot. Some mine, some Josh’s, some Phil’s and some Stephen’s. Bar the shohin, all show front and back.
My Korean Hornbeam this week.
I took a walk with family members along the Floodgates footpath in Ards last Saturday. I promised my sister that we would see a Skylark. I was starting to panic when we eventually spotted one singing on the up before it floated down to the ground again. And then, would you believe it, we nearly tripped over one on the pathway!
A few other birds about too. Spotted this Reed Bunting, not often seen in my area, at least by me!
Shelducks
Unidentified by me, poor photo too but I was hoping someone would know what it was. There was 5 of them bouncing about from bush to bush. Any ideas?
Kestrel hoovering over the path.
Some of the views.
Tides out, way out!
Plenty of air traffic popping into the local airport right beside the path.
I have family home from Australia at the moment and they are visiting some of N. Ireland’s best sights. On Wednesday we all went to Titanic Belfast recently open on the exact site were the Titanic was built and launched 100 years ago. Here are some of my photos from the day.
The entrance sign
Also known as the big TIT 🙂
The actual building, designed to look like the prow of the ship
Some of the signs on display at the entrance to the exhibit showing the political situation in Ireland at the time. Northern Ireland didn’t come into existence until 1922 when partition took place.
My wife pointing out on the big map where her Dad was born, Coniston Street Belfast.
A lot of family pointing going on.
The Big H&W for Harland and Wolff the shipyard owners.
An example of a First Class Cabin
Second Class
Steerage cabin
A view overlooking the site of Titanic’s launch into Belfast Lough. This was the site of the Arrel gantry built to enable two massive ships to be built side by side. the one to the left is where the Titanic was launched and the Olympic was launched on the right. Seven men fell to their death from the 270 foot high gantry.
Had a laugh at this book.
I really enjoyed the exhibit which was very interactive and was packed with information.
We also got to see the original drawing offices where the plans where made for the Titanic. It is about to be renovated to become part of the Titanic Quarter attractions. A beautiful old building and my favourite part of the day.
The hardest working vacuum cleaner in Ireland. Plaster and paint flaking off everywhere.
Original Door glass at the reception area
Office view overlooking the iconic cranes of Belfast docks.
My wife Allison taking it all in.
Amazing old staircase in the drawing office.
and a great feed in the Dirty Duck afterwards 🙂
My Beech has finally got around to opening.
On yesterday’s walk I was going to keep the camera in the case. I was suffering with a bit of a hangover and wasn’t in the mood. I said to Stephen that it would take something unusual for me to it out.
A short time later a Bull Finch popped up onto a nearby beech tree. They are a rare sighting here and don’t sit long as they are a shy bird. I even had to change the lens first and was surprised when it sat long enough for me to get a few shots!
As I had the camera out, I took a few more.
A badger set under the roots of a beech tree.
A buzzards seemed to be following us around.
If you look closely you can even see the hailstones that made it take to a perch.
Sometimes being a parent isn’t easy!
Willow
Taking off from Ards Airport, small planes only.
I had to drive to Nendrum Monastic Site the other day for a thing in work. My trusty camera is never too far away.
This place dates back to the 7th century when they built this settlement on an Island in Strangford Lough. In 1999 they found the remains of 2 tidal Mills during a dig. It’s a bit out of the way but a lovely spot to visit.
This is a few photos of the road down to the site.
Some info on the site.
The remains of the round tower.
View out towards Skettrick Island.
The Ballydorn Lightship, now the home of Down Cruising Club
The remains of Skettrick Castle.
The remains of the sun dial on the Church. The time was wrong 🙂
The Church
The Tower again, or what’s left of it!
This is what the Tidal Mill used to look like
This is where they were found.
Hope you enjoyed your trip back in time 😉
Managed to stop here for a few minutes the other day just to unwind. My wife Allison can be seen taking in the view on what was a very warm but hazy day. It would appear that only the locals know about this spot. One of these days I’ll have to walk the length of it for a better look.
Also spotted an apple in flower along the path.
Spotted this field of Rape in flower today near Killyleagh County Down.
Not a great spot to stop the car, but worth it 🙂
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