About Me Sorcha

My photo
Elan Valley
Having worked for most of my employed life as a Ranger/Head Ranger here in the beautiful Elan Valley in Mid-Wales, I have found myself entwined in this landscape, in all its wildlife, history, scenery, people and farming. I left my full time post to continue with the things that matter and to farm in the Heart of the Elan Valley and further my creative connection with this wondrous place.The Elan Valley Catchment is 72 square miles of spectacular beauty and abundant wildlife and is known for its series of stunning Victorian built Dams. I support the charity WaterAid who aims to improve Water provision to communities in 27 countries. I was most privileged to be a supporter on a visit to India in 2012. Life is a beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is life, fight for it. - Mother Teresa (1910-1997) Freedom is everything.

Saturday, 22 October 2016

Solitude of the Mist

This morning saw another start with thick mist of white shroud the landscape. I found my self in the Claerwen Valley with only the flitting fieldfare and starling chirrup invading on the still calm I was enveloped with.

Dol y mynach unfinished Dam was where I felt the pull and therefore followed my instinct. It suited the sensibility of the day. Dol y mynach Dam was never completed and today there stands the footings. A small reservoir gathers behind the wall which is a superb pace for some unique and rare wildlife. This boasts the Welsh Clearwing moth, 5 spot lady bird, Otter, Water Vole, Corydalis weevil, wintering fowl and if in luck a fleeting electric blue streak passing you by of the king fisher. The Name Dol y mynach means monks meadow and it was likely the Cistercian monks took their stock to the area to graze on the meadows. It has this sense of serene and calm on most days visited. I thought myself alone but I did glimpse a fly fisherman, who I imagined thought himself alone.

The first few images are off the Dam and its place in the landscape. The second of a lonely alder tree perched on his rock. looking over to where Dol y mynach house should have stood, but was prematurely removed to make room for the Dam (which never came to that location after all).

F: 7.1 1/40 ISO 100 35mm lens

F: ? (around 7) 1/2 ISO 100 14mm lens

F: ? (around 7) 1/4 ISO 100 14mm lens

F: 7 1/4 ISO 100 14mm lens

F: 7 1/4 ISO 100 14 - 24mm lens HDR

F: 7 1/4 ISO 100 14 - 24mm lens HDR
Looking to the old house site


F: 7.1 1/15 ISO 100 35mm lens HDR
Looking down the Afon Claerwen from Claerwen Dam

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