Herb Riddle's photos

This Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) was seen in my garden a couple of days back after just having finished its meal of another of our small garden birds which I suspect was a baby sparrow. That’s how it goes in nature; these birds must live and feed their young too! Best full screen Enjoy the day

I am standing on an old stone bridge overlooking the Dee just as the early morning mist starts to rise leaving with an almost magical scene. To me the ivy clad tree to the left with that little stony banks makes this as our eye goes on following the river bank towards the misty majestic stone Pontcysllte aqueduct. Best full screen Enjoy the day

A photo taken above Settle in the Yorkshire Dales just as a flock of seagulls were flying past. Enjoy full screen

Another look from above Trevor near Wrexham Wales. HFF, enjoy the weekend.

We are overlooking Trevor Basin on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, a historic mooring area for narrowboats that are about to cross the Pontcysllte Aqueduct which starts just beyond the footbridge. The PiP shows another view along the top of the aquaduct. See last photo. Best full screen Enjoy the day

A springtime look at elements of this old castle revealing hidden towers and turrets.. Enjoy the day.

Another from my 2005 collection. I had great pleasure to hike to this sea serpent's head. The headland is approached via a tidal causeway. "Worm's Head is a headland, at Rhossili, part of the City and County of Swansea, Wales. It is the furthest westerly point of the Gower Peninsula. The name Worm's Head is derived from an Old English word 'wyrm' for 'sea serpent." WiKi. See PiP for alternative view and mapping. Enjoy the day

A view from the gardens of Chirk Castle gives us the joys of springtime. This bench actually faces the castle. Have a great day.

A fine day brings us to Chirk Castle, near Wrexam in Wales. This taken from the garden walk to the rear. Chirk Castle was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chrirk as part of Edward 1st chain of fortresses across the North Wales. A castle with real history as five of its owners were executed for treason. The castle was partly demolished in the English Civil War and then rebuilt following the Restoration. It was passed down to the Myddelton family and remained there until it was transferred to the National Trust in 1981 The Pip shows another angle on an earlier visit in 2017 Best full screen Enjoy the day

A pier from where one would catch the ferry or cast-off your little rowboat almost completely underwater except for these post. All makes for an interesting capture though in these muted tones. Enjoy full screen

When we go to different new places we can never be so sure what we may see. Here is an impressive ornamental gateway in Erdigg Park, Wrexham HFF, enjoy the day.

The venue: Llangollen Railway station. Here we see the Lady of Llagollen, number 3802, a classic 2-8-0 GWR Heavy Freight locomotive renamed today for Mothers day from its usual title of Rockstar. The heavens have opened up but it will not deter the many pre-booked travellers out on a trip to Corwen enjoying the spectacular Dee Valley whilst having afternoon Tea. The two PiPs show the locomotive switching rails at the terminus tunnel just at the end of the platform and a shot through the carriage window (including rainy reflections) showing the pre-prepared sandwiches, scones and cakes, all part of a traditional Welsh Afternoon Tea, just waiting for the guest and tea-pot. Best full screen Enjoy the day More info: llangollen-railway.co.uk/news/rockstar-freight-engine-to-be-renamed-the-lady-of-llangollen-for-mothers-day-celebrations

No 3802, a classic 2-8-0 GWR Heavy Freight locomotive is seen here at Llangollen station, reversing from the left track where it has left its carriages into the tunnel up to buffer before coming forward onto the right track. It will move along there to a similar points system and reverse back along the left track again to couple with the awaiting carriages again. Enjoy full screen.

Another look from near Trevor church. The river Dee runs just beyond the bottom trees. Enjoy the day

It seems that no matter from where you see the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, it looks magnificent. Here we see it from the flat playing fields looking east into a slightly misty sunrise. Just beyond the structure the mist is still thick as it follows the River Dee valley here. Best full screen

Take a seat, relax and forget about world events whilst thinking only about the sights and sounds of this wonderful tarn area. Happy Easter Monday Have a great day.

Another oldie here from summer 2005 after being reminded of it whilst watching one of our holiday videos last night. I took a lot of photos on this one week around here and that included walking over this limestone formation and onto Worms Head itself. Have a good Easter weekend.