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.

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

February Life so far


Its been a really mixed bag in the hills the last few weeks. There has been a range of weathers from snow, rain and some sunshine. Jobs around the farm keep us busy with fallen trees to sort and new trees to plant over the next couple of weeks. The ewes are a couple of months away from lambing so much of the work involves ensuring they are well looked to in this important period. Feeding sheep some of the SSSI cropped meadow hay is mostly on the cards. Opening up a bale of hay and basking in a few moments of the summer gone, and little pieces of meadow flowers fall from the hay bale. Over head the kites are flying and pairing, Roe deer have been heard, snipe drumming, woodcock and barn owl are frequently seen around the farm... and signs of the spring to come as skylarks are seen more frequently on the hillsides. 


Gruffalo and sheep on our hill waiting for the hay.
f 6.3 1/250 ISO 640 35mm

Upland stream as the sun goes down on the Day
f  16 3.2sec ISO 50 35mm

Jess in the snow 
f 6.3 1/320 ISO 400 278mm

Claerwen Rocks in the snow
f ? 1/6 ISO 100 

Herdwick girls curious as always
f 5.6 1/160 ISO 100 109mm

Brian catching sheep on our hill by Craig Goch Dam, strangers to go back to their hill.
f 5 1/640 ISO 320 43mm


The vehicle of choice which enables us to bring food to our stock.
f 5.6 1/60 ISO 800 55mm

Dashed out to get this one morning before kids off to school, was most chuffed it was put on the Welsh Weather forecast.

This is what I have named the eye of horus or the all seeing eye. Capturing the rays of the sun onto Caban Coch Dam. It was taken in HDR as i wanted the range of Shadow and light. 

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