Frost just makes the Elan Valley

It is the most amazing sensation to watch the sun rise above the hills here in the Elan Valley. Many times the intensity peters out by the time it peeks over the brow. Then there are days like this.... when it changes the frosty blue with a shard of fire erupting across the landscape. On this morning I stood by Craig Goch Dam and was almost breathless as the light pushed its way under the arches. I took the photo in HDR which I knew could either work or ruin it.  I spent my hour or two here watching a kestrel near the dam, in fact I got a great glimpse of it as it landed on the dam wall.... its red feathers sparkled the same rich tones of the landscape where the sun hit on the browns like the bracken slopes.

After a morning like this you just feel so alive.

F13 1/4 sec ISO 100 35mm lens with graduated filter HDR

Craig Goch Dam 

F 11 1/15 ISO 100 35mm lens with graduated filter

Craig Goch reservoir looking to Pont ar Elan

F 16 1.3sec  ISO 160 35mm lens

Waterfall in the Claerwen

F 9 1/5 ISO 100 35mm lens HDR

Frosty and dry river bed under Penygarreg Dam.

Winter sun is a magical ingredient!

The last couple of weeks have been a mix weather wise... the landscape altered in seconds by the light of the sun..... sometimes that is all it lasts. I am hoping for a little spell of cold to get out and capture some of that winter sun, the shadows nice and long as we approach the shortest day. Lots of farm catch up still on the go, so opportunities to get out unless for surveying are slimer. Below are a few of the photos captured.

Craig Goch under the layers of sun.

F:5.6 1/2 sec ISO 200 35mm

Monks Trod 2nd Survey: looking back towards Claerwen Reservoir.

F: 11 1/400 ISO 100 21mm

Penygarreg in the morning

F: 6.3 0.6 sec ISO 100 35mm lens - Gradual filter

Pretty Penygarreg in Pink - evening sun

F: 7.1 0.8 sec ISO 100 35mm lens

Winter reflection

F: 7.1 0.8sec ISO 100mm 35mm lens

The freeze- Elan Valley into Narnia

Playing a little catch up now on the blog here....
It has been hectic with work, puppies and finishing up jobs. The first day of December was "cold, cold and more cold". It was very misty to start so I decided to head out and see if I could get some photos. I couldn't see the dam at Craig Goch for some time, but then it happened, the sun came up and glowed through the mist creating the most amazing light. These photos required no talent, it was just was so terribly beautiful and the photos could not fail to impress...... and I am usually so modest! honest! I could feel my heart racing to capture everything, it was so beautiful, this was so special, this was something to share of the natural beauty being claimed by the elements who were taking a stand here in the Elan Valley. The frost was about an inch long on the fences and branches and so white standing proud in the cold. These are some of the photos from that magical morning.

F:13 1/30sec 100 ISO 35mm lens

Looking down from Craig Goch Dam

F: 13 1/30sec 100 ISO 35mm lens

F: 13 1/80 100 ISO 35mm lens

Craig Goch F: 13 1/15 100 ISO 35mm lens