As I wrote the title for this post I was reminded of “while my guitar gently weeps” lyrics. And then of the cover version with Prince’s guitar solo. Definitely worth a listen. But I digress.
I took this at Gloucester Cathedral, where there is a conveniently placed mirror. The original photo was ok, but when I turned it upside down it improved tremendously. Try standing on your head to have a look, and see if you agree.
Maybe less controversial than the last post. Watching the gannets makes such a brilliant way to pass the time. Bempton Cliffs on the east coast of England is a prime location for numerous birds, but the gannets are definitely the best performers.
Pastel petals swirl,
A gift of love and beauty.
Short-lived but heartfelt.
Not often I take photos of flowers, but when your wife says she really likes the roses there is some level of obligation. So I did.
And, out of interst, do you take photos or make them? Unless I am making something in photoshop like Adamsky effects, I take photos. I find it a little pretentious when someone presents a straight out of camera landscape they “made”. Just my opinion.
Sitting on a branch
Relaxing in the sunshine,
Waiting for a fish.
I really like the Adamsky effect as a method of removing distractions for a more minimalist look. Not pure photography, but then what is? I have seen several methods for doing this on t’Interweb, and have settled on an amalgamation of a few. Maybe I should write a tutorial, but then people might think I know what I am doing. Can’t have that.
Hardly a blanket.
Just a light dusting of snow
On a woodland walk.
Happy 2026, assuming you use the same calendar as I do. Yesterday I made an error of judgement. Normally, when we get a touch of snow in Nottingham, it is the Peak District to the west that gets it heavier. So We drove out to Upper Moor, hoping for a nice snowy shot, suitable for next year’s Christmas card. Virtually nothing. Not enough of nothing that it was a wasted trip, and the walk followed by a pub lunch made for a really good day, but not what I was expecting.
Then when I watched the news in the evening, it was the East that got all the snow, and I had gone in precisely the wrong direction. Still managed a couple of images, and hopefully more snow on the way.
Bah humbug to all.
But the season to be joll…?
Nope, still bah humbug.
Only joking, just trying not to be overly sentimental like so many can be. This was just a phone shot from the winter light walk at Wollaton Hall. A cold, but thankfully dry, evening. Will I get another one in before the end of the year? Maybe, maybe not. If I don’t – have a good holiday, and hopefully a peaceful 2026.
Choices have been made,
Lines have been drawn in the sand.
There’s no turning back.
Although we are coming up to the season of goodwill, we remain in the shadow of two men in severe mental decline, who are also leaders of countries with rather large nuclear arsenals, and who seem anxious to use them. An apocalyptical haiku seems appropriate, and the image is hopefully sombre enough.
Happy holidays 😂😂
After a hard day
Putting up decorations,
Sweaty clothes get washed.
Do mice sweat? I have no idea. I suppose I could have used dirty, but in reality I think clothes get washed more often because they get sweaty than grubby. But what would I know? I just put clothes in a basket and a magic cleaning fairy washes and irons them, and they mysteriously reappear in my drawer. Life can be strange.
It’s that time of year
When spending goes a bit mad.
Happy December!
The nice thing about December is that number of places that make a special effort with festive decorations, and festive themed activities. This one is from a National Trust property in Derbyshire. If you view it full sized you might notice there is a mouse theme, that continues throughout the displays. If I can think of a haiku to go with wet washing I might post another…
Lost in his own world,
Unaware and uncaring.
Just letting life flow.
One of the pleasures of landscape/seascape/nature photography is that you do have the opportunity to just turn inwards and get lost in the process of looking and finding compositions. Normally unhurried, the world just falls away as you focus on the scene unfolding in front of you. It is no wonder it is supposed to be good for your mental health.
