Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120 4G ED

Along Hebdon Water in Hardcastle Crags there stands, quite hidden, a small structure bedecked with moss. My wife calls it the Elves house as she is sure she heard a small tuneful tinkling sound from within whilst passing, Enjoy this autumn scene in full screen. Enjoy the day.

After many shots of this harbour village area in stormy sea’s, here we see a much calmer scene. In the distance we see some cormorants drying their wings. I am not sure what this white rock was but it one of many types around here. Enjoy the day.

Yet another castle from me here. This is Red Bay Castle taken from the coast road heading south, just after the small town of Cushendall in County Antrim. I believe good views are to be had from there but only by trespassing! The first castle here was built around the 13th century on an Anglo-Norman motte but the one we see here was built around 1652 after another from 1561 by Sir James McDonnell was burned to the ground, re-built, and then further destroyed by Cromwell in 1652. Yes a lot of history here. This ruin is only a small part of the original castle. See PiP for close-up view. Enjoy full screen.

An autumn search for gold leaves brought us to the valley of Harcastle Crags, a local beauty spot near Hebdon Bridge in Yorkshire. Not many strong gold and red leaves on this capture near the edge of the tumbling river ‘Hebdon Water’ but a traditional bench for those that require it. HBM, enjoy the day.

This is taken on Embleton Bay at the northern end of the big castle grounds showing its lone Lilburn tower (named after John de Lilburn, who became constable in 1322.) Of course we see the rather nice Dunstanburgh cliffs too which is known for its sea-bird colonies of razorbills and guillemots. The great artist William Turner painted this tower: www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-dunstanburgh-castle-the-lilburn-tower-with-the-sea-beyond-d00954 Essential full screen

It seems to have been a while since I last took some Autumnal mist photos and so here is a scene that I came across on a ride out to get some Autumn gold trees. This lake/reservoir is a very popular spot with a fine promenade all the way around its 2.4 mile perimeter. I am reminded here that I must re-walk this again sometime. Notice the water-level is still very low after our very dry summer. The white building is a very popular restaurant here. Enjoy the weekend. Herb

A rather ‘painterly’ view of this raging sea down near the little harbour of Ballintoy. Just one of many shots here as the waves thundered into these rocks. Not a spot to neither slip into the water nor drop the lens cap but it sure was hypnotic. Enjoy full screen.

A quick whizz through the Isle of Arran brought us via the ferry from ‘The Mull of Kintyre’ back to the village of Lochranza, home of this castle and it’s even more famous ‘Arran Whisky’ distillery. This five minute stop on our way to our next ship at Brodick lacks the nice light on our previous visit but gave us the opportunity if we wanted it, for a rest on these seats. It looks like the castle is having some work done on it now. See Pip for 2017 version HBM, enjoy the day.

A fascinating look of natures work here on our coast of Northumbria. Looking almost like a manmade road being distorted by an earthquake, I walked all over this to assure myself that it was indeed only natural rock and not man-made. I think there might be a name for all this apart from the obvious volcanic ‘Folded Rock formation’. Perhaps you my friends can enlighten me. = anticline. Thank you Judite. Taken just past Dunstanburgh castle in Embleton Bay. See PiP for alternative view. Enjoy full screen.

A view out to the hills of our Lake District and the Kent estuary here from the footbridge over the rails at Arnside station, Cumbria. The trains leaving here towards the water will shortly glide over the famous Arnside viaduct (see pips). Of course like most railway scenes we have some fences here for those who collect such things. I was time restricted on here and so unfortunately missed any trains. HFF, enjoy the weekend.

Here on the coast of Northumbria just north of Seahouses is one of Britain’s finest and biggest beaches. As it is on the north east then a common phenomenon is this sea-mist (fret) that can come and go in moments. We can see many beach strollers and also some surfers here as well as the very imposing Bamburgh castle in the far background. The benches? - well they are for the many coastal walkers who just like to enjoy the view and take in the sun or perhaps enjoy their picnics. The Pip shows another view taken on a different day. Nice full screen HBM, enjoy the day.

A local walk with my Ipernity friend Toz in this interesting light allows me to capture a scene of this year’s drought conditions before our autumn rains started to fill this up again. Our walk took us along the left lane you see here rising to the next reservoir up. A good day was had by all. Have a good day.

Another day of exploring Northern Ireland brings us to this glen (valley). It is one of the nine Antrim Glens that cover over 1000 hectares of planted woodland, lakes and rivers. You can see from this view that we are not far away from the coast but quite a different feel here. A rocky gorge is the highlight of this trip with some beautiful waterfalls and timber walkways surrounded by mosses, liverworts and ferns. A sample of one of the waterfalls in the PiP. Enjoy full screen Have a good day.

Autumn can be a great time for lovers of the countryside and it’s weather. One day rain, the other clear and then on another, all is silently enveloped by thick mist. Mist by itself is rarely very photogenic but add a bit of sun and things liven up as shown here. Enjoy full screen

A traditional view of this famous Northumbrian castle from the north seaward side. One can easily imagine knights practicing their swordsmanship in the high grounds or even jousting here on the sands. With a little more imagination, a dragon might be seen circling above too. Described In medieval text as Lancelot’s Joyeus Garde Castle in the Arthurian tradition. Once the ancient capital of the powerful kingdom of Northumbria. There has been some kind of defensive structure at Bamburgh since at least the 6th century after constant Viking invasions. The massive Norman keep was built in 1095 and since then was used as a prison to members of the Scottish aristocracy. During the Wars of the Roses, Bamburgh was a Lancastrian stronghold that came under fierce attack. By the early 1600s, Bamburgh was ruinous and in private hands, those of the local Forster family. It later became a hospital and a school, before being bought by the wealthy local industrialist, Lord Armstrong, who began the work of restoration but died before it was completed. Still owned today by the Armstrong family, Bamburgh Castle is open to the public. (https://www.historic-uk.com/DestinationsUK/Bamburgh-Castle/) Enjoy full screen

An early autumn walk taken at Hardcastle Craggs always reaps rewards. Experience the soft light through the trees here with me and watch the fallen golden leaves float down the river. In a few more weeks this would be even better with true red and golds from front to back but for now we have what we have so enjoy. Nice full screen

As a sudden early morning mist greets me, it’s time to run out with the camera again. Here we are looking up a path I normally only take coming down as it is part of a round walk. This curved path and fence has been a favourite photo subject of mine for many years now and I am pleased that its beauty has not yet decayed. Best full screen. Enjoy the weekend. Herb

We are at Seahouses on the Northumbrian coast looking just south of the main harbour, at a most peculiar building. It is in fact a building built to store gunpowder for the construction of the pier and harbour in 1886. It was placed out here on the rocks away from the village in case of any accidental explosions. For me, on this rather misty day the colours all harmonise almost as one. Photographically I would normally rather not have left the house in the middle but you might notice the figure on the right balancing things out nicely and in fact along with the red marker it makes for a nice triangle. Essential full screen. Enjoy your day.