Why Anglesey?

"Why Anglesey?" It's a question I'm often asked. My answer is simply "Why not." It could have been Devon or Cornwall or maybe the Lake District. Of course, for me there has to be sea. The smell of it, the feel of it, the unpredictable way of it. But choose a coastline and I'll be OK. But Anglesey, being an island, is surrounded by the stuff.
Having recently traveled back from London after visiting my daughter, I recorded some video footage on my compact camera and made good use of it to answer that question; " Why Anglesey?"

Picture Perfect...

There are days when I'm so busy, the last thing on my mind is photography. When all I want is to get things done, get home and get to bed... But even when the chips are down and it's feeling like an uphill struggle, the sun breaks through the clouds and that beam of light dances across the fields in front of you and you find yourself reaching for the camera, because, not to do so would be the worst kind of crime a photographer could commit, and that is to turn your back on a perfect picture.
And so it was, as I traveled back from Holyhead looking forward to a glass of wine and some mind-numbing TV, the skies opened and the light of life shone through and I had no choice but to give chase. I took a side road that lead to another side road that lead to a lane that lead... nowhere! So I got out of the car and carried on chasing until I could chase no more, because I had reached the sea and it's waves and and all I could do was to wait and see what life would give me in return for my chasing.
Sometimes it promises you everything and gives you nothing, just a dull grey sky that turns to night. But once in a while it gives up it's magic to you and only you, sweet payment for having faith, faith that there is a real magic in our lives. And here is the proof. You may think the colours are exaggerated, but they're not. The sky was orange, the sea was blue and I was a happy happy photographer.

Anglesey Winter Wonderland...

Hi, come on in. We've got logs on the fire and mull wine on the stove. Make yourself at home.The pond by the willow

A Merry Christmas...

Just a quick blog to wish you all a very merry Christmas. We very seldom get snow on the island, the mountains seem to grab it all, but this year has been an exception and we have been lucky enough to get a fair share of the stuff, with more to come later this week.
Just a reminder that we have a wonderful property we let anytime of the year www.thepondbythewillow.co.uk and would be very happy to welcome you to this wonderful island of Anglesey.

All the very best for 2011

The Right To Roam...

After a fantastic sea kayaking trip out off Malltraeth on Sunday morning I decided to explore the same coastline by foot. However, there was one small problem that had to be overcome, an old rusty sign stuck in the middle of a field which read, ' no trespassing.' Of course, if we were in Scotland this wouldn't be a problem as the 'right to roam' is statutory law, but here in Wales and England it's a little different. Needless to say, it didn't stop me, but I would advise anyone out walking, to think twice before venturing onto private land.
The area I wanted to explore is part of the Bodorgan Estate and is called Cwningar Trefri. I accessed it by crossing the Sand dunes at Aberffraw and by climbing up onto the headland at the far end of the beach. ( This being were I encounted the sign.) All I really wanted to see was the kind of coastline I'd find if I decided to paddle further out from Malltraeth with the intention of completing the journey at Abberfraw. And having made the effort to check it out, I think it will be a trip worth doing. With spectacular views across Caernarfon Bay and some beautiful sandy beaches to explore along the way, it could be a great day spent on the water. Let's hope it happens. I'll keep you posted.

Mother of Wales...

They don't call Anglesey, the Mother of Wales, for no good reason. Many, many years ago, Anglesey produced much of the wheat for the whole of Wales. The climate and large areas of flatland made it perfect for growing crops. Nowadays most of the land on Anglesey has been taken over for sheep rearing, but in the last few years there's been a noticeable increase in crop growing, mainly for the bio-fuel market.However, it's the coastline that holds the greatest attraction for me. Each of the four sides of Anglesey offer a different terrain to explore and enjoy. And of course, for any seafarer - and I count myself amongst this group, being a great fan of sea kayaking - one couldn't ask for a more varied and fascinating coast to explore.
I Love it!

The Sun Has Got His Hat On...

At long last, the sun has arrived and we can get down to the serious business of relaxing. And there's no finer place to do that than here on Anglesey. No matter where you drive, at some point you'll arrive at the coast and it's a safe bet that you'll find something of interest. Whether it's a coastal path to explore or a sandy beach to play on or some rock pools along the base of some cliffs to investigate.One, out of the way, place we love to visit is Porth Trefadog. With views across the sea towards Holyhead mountain and plenty of little nooks and crannies to set up a picnic to just while away the hours.We owe it to ourselves to take time out, and when the sun shines there's no better place than here.

Animals of Anglesey...

Here's a selection of animals I've had the pleasure of photographing here on Anglesey. Some just for the sheer joy of it, others as part of a commission. It just goes to show the wonderful diversity of creatures that go to make up this planet we all share. From dancing cows to grumpy pigs. To new born foals to watchful sheep. It's been a real joy.

My Anglesey...

Here are some recent images taken within a fifteen minute stroll along the clifftops between Trearddur Bay and Porth y Post. This is what I love about this place, wherever you look there will be a picture to be taken, a picture to be made. This is my back garden, my backyard, my home.

How many lives has this lifebelt saved? How many times has it been thrown in vain. Like a solider on guard, it stands to attention, ready and waiting to serve and to save. day after day, night after night it waits and waits and waits...

My favourite path, but to where?

The Dingle...

Now the leaves have all gone here's a little reminder of the summer that never was...

"The Dingle / Nant y Pandy Local Nature reserve is a 10 hectare (25 acre) wooded valley, rich in wildlife and history. It has recently been enhanced through community involvement, working in partnership, and by grant aid.

These enhancements include a wooden boardwalk that winds its way along the Cefni, which allows access to all to many parts of the reserve, three new bridges, sculptures, sculpted benches and picnic tables.

The sculptures include a huge dragonfly, giant seed pods and split oak timbers revealing the poem Nant y Pandy, by local poet Rolant o Fôn.

Parts of the woodland are dominated by sessile oak, ash and wild cherry, with a spectacular show of blue bells in spring. Other parts are mostly sycamore and the occasional ash tree with an abundance of ferns and mosses and woodland flowers, such as wood anemones. Coed Plas (behind Saint Cyngar's Church) was planted with sweet chestnut, beech and Scots pine, and has a carpet of wild daffodils in spring.

Frogs and newts live in the wetter areas, and adders and lizards in the drier woodland. There are many butterfly species, such as gatekeeper and the speckled wood, as well as moths. There are also dragonflies and damselflies, hoverflies, bees and wasps, beetles, slugs and snails, spiders, woodlice, and many other small creatures.

Birds are easy to see throughout the year; blue tits and great tits nest in the woods and moorhen in the water; wrens and grey wagtails are common small birds seen along the boardwalk; and larger birds, ravens, buzzards and herons fly overhead. A glimpse of a kingfisher may be seen as a flash of electric blue, or a dipper may be bobbing along the river. The tawny owl can be heard, and often seen, in the woodland at night.

Fish like the trout, roach and perch may be seen in Llyn Pwmp, and sea trout are occasional visitors, as are eels.

Mammals are much more elusive. The only sign of the fox may be the drift of its scent across a path. Bank vole and wood mice leave nibbled hazel nuts to show their presence. Eight of the sixteen species of bat found in Britain can be seen here at dusk."

THE WRECKS AT TRAETH DULAS…

Very little is known about these wooden fishing boats stranded on the sands at Traeth Dulas. At low tide you can walk out across the estuary and get up close to these beautiful old wrecks. Every piece of flaking paint, rusty nail and wooden beam has a story to tell and a secret to keep. How they came to be here and about the men that sailed them no one seems to know, but there’s no denying their beauty and the craftsmanship that went into their making. Well worth a visit, just remember to keep an eye on the incoming tide; it would be a long swim back to the car.
Location.( 53º 22’ 26.50” N 4º 16’ 55.80” W )

“Dulas Bay (Welsh: Bae Dulas) is a small bay on the north east coast of Anglesey (Ynys Môn), north Wales. The bay is bordered by three beaches. The north-western beach is the sand, shingle, mud estuary Traeth Dulas (Dulas Beach); southeast of this is the tiny Traeth Bach (Small Beach) and the sandy Traeth Yr Ora (Beach of The Fortified Landing Place). The estuary running through Traeth Dulas is that of the Afon Goch (Red River). The Traeth Bach and Traeth Yr Ora at high tide are separated by a rock outcrop called Craig y Sais (The Saxon Rock). At low tide, however, it is possible to walk on the sand between the three beaches and also onto the larger but less tranquil beaches of Lligwy Bay to the south. All the beaches vary in size quite dramatically depending on the tide. Traeth Dulas is most affected by the tide, so much so that the most inland parts of the estuary are salt marshes.” Wikipedia

Views From The Cockpit...

3rd of December 2008, the perfect winters day. Clear skies, crisp clean air and not a breath of wind. Launch at Cable Bay and meander down the coast to Rhosneigr. A spot of lunch on the beach and a leisurely paddle back with the sun on your face, and the only sound you can hear is the light splash of the blade as it moves through the still water beneath you, and the occasional cry of a gull, or a guillemot just before he dives beneath the surface of the sea in search of his lunch.
Time stands still and all is right with the world.

" Where else to be,
but out upon the open sea."

Time Out...

This picture of me is one of my all time favourite images.
Taken by a friend while out for a paddle just off Trearddur Bay,
It sums up everything I love about living here on Anglesey.
Just you, the sea and the sky. Everything else can just wait…

Two Into One...

Clever bit of software this Photomatix. Take one picture exposed for the sky then another exposed for the foreground, drop them into the software and it blends the two together making a perfect mix.
This may seem like cheating but in fact the human eye can see a greater range of light and dark then any camera can capture, so this final image is a truer reflection of how the eye would perceive the scene. And that’s just the start of what it can do…

Cable Bay, or Porth Trecastell as it’s called locally, lays alongside the A4080 coast road just a short drive from Rhosneigr. A beautiful sandy beach and great waves for surfing when the wind blows. Fantastic cliff walks, which take you up to one of the most interesting and oldest burial mounds on the island. Come rain or shine it’s well worth a visit.