Seascapes

Looking NE from Larne, Northern Ireland

A late afternoon shot from the edge of a property not far from the seaboard. An uncharacteristically clear day giving us a good look at the horizon and everything in between. The weather here changes fast and is often low visibility but then you get clear days that take your breath away A green land because of all the rain. A land full of good people who give you their hearts if you let them,

Arran Seascape 1

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. This late afternoon shot is right at the end of the day, before the sun dies below the horizon on the far western side of the island. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky over the island, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Arran Seascape 2

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. This late afternoon shot is right at the end of the day, before the sun dies below the horizon on the far western side of the island. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky over the island, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Arran Seascape 3

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. This late afternoon shot is right at the end of the day, before the sun dies below the horizon on the far western side of the island. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky over the island, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Arran Seascape 4

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards or breaking through clouds from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky, or beam down onto parts of the island and surrounding ocean, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Sunset on the west coast of Scotland

This is not far from being opposite the Isle of Arran and carries all these wonderful reflections across the big beach area from the front to the back of the shot. The old church on the right of the shot has been there for centuries, pointing up at all this beauty, day after day. The marina on the far left where you can just see yacht masts sticking up, is where you get in your boat or board the ferry to do the one hour journey to Arran, and step into a slower, more peaceful, gentle and unrushed time over there, which is hard to come away from. “Little Scotland”, they call it, because it has just about every geographical feature the rest of Scotland is home to - from mountains to beaches, and, yes, a golf course set up on a slope ! (yes, only in Scotland - maybe)

Arran Seascape 5

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards or breaking through clouds from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky, or beam down onto parts of the island and surrounding ocean, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Arran Seascape 6

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards or breaking through clouds from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky, or beam down onto parts of the island and surrounding ocean, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Arran Seascape 7

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. This late afternoon shot is right at the end of the day, before the sun dies below the horizon on the far western side of the island. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky over the island, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Seascape on Western Isles North of Glasgow 1

This mid morning shot took in the day just brightening, out of the cold overcast start on this winters’ day. Crystal clear skies and still waters give us some reflections and that gorgeous patina of silky smooth softness which seems to say this could have been Lake Lugarno on a sunny day. Those mountains are high and cold and if you want to keep travelling, westward and north, you must drive up into and through them to get there. Make sure your vehicle is sound and you have all the spares you may need - plus, maybe, a friendly garage man on call, and a fully charged ‘phone (or two)

Seascape on Western Isles North of Glasgow 2

This mid morning shot took in the day just brightening, out of the cold overcast start on this winters’ day. Crystal clear skies and still waters give us some reflections and that gorgeous patina of silky smooth softness which seems to say this could have been Lake Lugarno on a sunny day. Those mountains are high and cold and if you want to keep travelling, westward and north, you must drive up into and through them to get there. Make sure your vehicle is sound and you have all the spares you may need - plus, maybe, a friendly garage man on call, and a fully charged ‘phone (or two)

Arran Seascape 8

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards or breaking through clouds from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky, or beam down onto parts of the island and surrounding ocean, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Arran Seascape 9

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. This late afternoon shot is right at the end of the day, before the sun dies below the horizon on the far western side of the island. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky over the island, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Sunset over the Island of Ailsa Craig

This larger conical stand-alone island off the southern west coast of Scotland is a prohibited place where birds are allowed to thrive undisturbed by Humans. It is larger than you might think and, as you travel past it on a boat, be prepared to see whales surface and roll whilst taking a look at you out of those big beady eyes. Deep water, and a history going back centuries here for this place. It’s been a ‘Sanctuary’ of one kind or another for many, over all of that time - and now, wildlife.

Arran Seascape 10

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. This late afternoon shot is right at the end of the day, before the sun dies below the horizon on the far western side of the island. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky over the island, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

The small boat bay at Portencross Castle

Portencross Castle is a 14th Century Castle on the west coast of Scotland just north of the town of West Kilbride. It is open from April for 2 weeks over Easter and subsequently every Saturday and Sunday until the end of September. It is a square box on several levels and guarded the waters here. It has a rich history and is opened by local volunteers who know that history. The little boat beach here is where they kept and launched their boats from - still in use today. A bit of History, right there, in a quiet peaceful little peninsular, available to anyone who wants to make the effort to get there - and well worth that effort !

Arran Seascape 11

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. This late afternoon shot is right at the end of the day, before the sun dies below the horizon on the far western side of the island. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky over the island, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Small beach pool, bordered by rock and sand

This is no more than two and half feet from top to bottom, but looks as if it could be a Mediterranean waterside or a rained-in volcano top somewhere. The juxtaposition of the lines, hues and elements here is what got my attention, as well as the trompe l’oeil, and it still makes me smile, imagining what it could be. End of afternoon light on the beach, giving us texture and ridged detail.

Rocks seaweed water sand & Light

The very last of the available light, streaming in from just off the horizon, separating out the various elements here, making them look as if they might be a large mountain range somewhere, or some volcanic sediment somewhere exotic. When the light is at a low angel to what we look at, it allows us to see it much more clearly, because it comes in across any shapes, edges, surfaces, and we see the all in bas relief almost = the most interesting time to shoot images out there !

Sunset and waves - comin’ at ya !

The very last of the sunset, coming unimpeded right at the beach, from low down, just off the horizon, above the Isle of Arran, and seeming to bring all those undeniable waves with it. Deep darks and scintillating lights here, give it a sense of movement and moment which shooting into the light always has the potential to gift you with.

Arran Seascape 12

The sky does many things over Arran, and quite quickly. Not only does the light move more speedily than you might think but the stuff in between it and you does too - clouds, haze, rain, shadows. As the streams of light start bouncing upwards or breaking through clouds from the far horizon they catch the edges of whatever’s up in the sky, or beam down onto parts of the island and surrounding ocean, rimming it often, throwing referred hues out everywhere and catching some of those colours in whatever pools of water are at the right angle to receive it. A plethora of beautifulnesses, of which you see more than you ever manage to record.

Wave-Motion

As fast as this shutter speed was, it doesn’t freeze the monumental pressure and surge of this wave at its’ zenith. Such a lot going on in there. The amazing convolutions of impetus and bounce, swirl and gravity, density and vacuum. They are always interesting to watch and somehow the best of them never seem to make it onto film !

A Calm still day on the bay ocean 1

The clear blue sky reflects wonderful on this unreal stillness this ocean is giving us this day. Not once in twenty years have I seen it that calm – except this day. Wonderful to see these clear reflections under those rocks. Small birds love to congregate on these rocks and when they all gather together, at the end of the day sometimes, you can almost not see the rock for the shuffling movement of all those dark coloured energetic little ever-moving things.

The Sea untrammelled

This is what it looks like - from any boat or rock with nothing but ocean before you. The end of the day obscured sunlight just giving all the edges of the moving water their definition and, in this pale non-glary light, we get some nice patina on the smoother bits, as the movement of it all merges a bit, with the slow shutter speed giving it that slow-motion effect. A calm peaceful sot at the end of a quiet day.