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, 31 December 2016

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.


2 comments: