Inside the Minster

These are a few shots from inside York Minster.  I really like the ones looking up at the ceilings.  I take them by putting the camera flat on its back on the floor and then using the self timer to release the shutter.  You get a few odds looks, but it's a decent method.

Sorry about the lack of details here and comments elsewhere, I have been lain low by a head cold of epic proportions.  And on that note, I'm going to slump by the fire.  Normal service will be resumed asap.  SM

You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday.

Wild Bird Wednesday 264 - Barn Swallow

Continuing with birds from Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve, these are a family of Barn Swallows ( Hirundo rustica).  As a kid they would have just be 'Swallows' and for most people in the UK I assume that they still are.  

By the time I took these pictures the light was truely appalling - so I have to say I am rather pleased with these images.  In fact I basically gave up taking pictures and just watched as the mist made it feel like I was shooting through soup!  Which just goes to show, that really really should just keep shooting!

I was really missing my tripod for these pictures, as it was hard to keep the camera on frame and look for the incoming parent birds.  I got a lot of shots with partial parents!

As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below the thumbnails.  SM

An InLinkz Link-up

Birds Eye View

When we were in York we climbed the central tower of the Minster - 275 steps and 230 feet up in the air.

I liked these shots as they do not look like any other shots I have seen of York - its not that people have not taken them before, its just that images of 'classic locations' are dominated by 'classic shots'.

Anyway, here are the pictures.

You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday.

Wild Bird Wednesday 263 - Puffin

The Puffin - or more correctly for a world wide audience The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) must be one of the best known birds in the world.  With its bright breeding colours and comical looks it is rightly very popular.

These pictures were taken at Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve on the same very dull day as last week's WBW.  I got very good views of one bird - who is the star of this show - and lots of more distant views of a good number of others.  Just to prove that life in not all good looks and sand eels, I have included a Puffin getting an ear full from a neighbouring Razorbill.

 Somehow, after my time off, I find I am back at work!

To join in with WBW, click on the blue button below the thumbnails.

An InLinkz Link-up

York - Street Level

After spending a few days in Oxford we headed North towards York.  We had not been able to visit York the last time I was in the Uk with my family, and I was looking forward to going there.  In the dim and distant past I was a student in York and had a great time - so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane.

These are some of the pictures I took - mainly at street level.

York Minster from the City Walls

Roof tiles on Station Road Bridge

Feral Pigeon - Yorkshire Museum

King George Letter Box - Chapel House Street

High Petergate York

York is a place that even has old letter boxes - what more could you ask for?

You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday.

Stained Glass

I have a bit of a fondness for stained glass windows - I just love the way that they use light.

These are some details from what I think is the west window - the window dates from the 1800s.

The weather was a bit dull and grey on the day - which is, in my opinion, the best light to photograph these windows as you get even lighting.

More UK images to follow soon.  SM