To Gateshead and back via South Shields

Yesterday, I took the Metro to Newcastle, walked down to the Quay and along to the Millennium Bridge. A coffee in the Sage Centre then back over the bridge to Newcastle and the Metro to South Shields. The Metro ticket works on the Ferry to North Shields so I crossed the Tyne and then walked back via the Fish Quays to Tynemouth. Shame there wasn't a bit more light around.

Tynemouth to Alnwick

Yesterday I was taken on a very enjoyable tour of the coastline between Tynemouth and Alnwick - many thanks to Brian and Joan for their company and forbearance on a grey and drizzly afternoon. Here are a few images showing the very soft pastel shades that were achieved (with a bit adjustment in Lightroom!) .

Today onTynemouth Beach

Definitely the cutest puppy on the beach today, along with her companion. Both are

chihuahua crosses.

Whitby

More dogs to follow - becoming quite a challenge to find new breeds. Here are two Whitby Abbey pictures for El - it was a very grey day so this is the best I could do - hope one fits the bill.

Bridlington Canines

I continued the theme of dogs and their owners today in Bridlington but this time asking people if I could photograph them with their pet. They all wanted to pose their animals for me - but, guess what, the Springer Spaniels and Border Collies were having none of it. The Collie attempted to lick my fisheye, which was a bit close focus even for that lens.

Cleethorpes

A few images from Cleethorpes yesterday - all the fun of the fair there plus the traditional donkeys. Not much in the way of sunshine except for the cheery welcome sign.

Dogs at Cleethorpes

I visited to Cleethorpes today on a dull grey day but there were lots of people about and many of them had dogs. Took a series of dogs - the characters of the breeds were clearly displayed even in these small cameos.

Fun with Fungi

As well as the wide angle shots, I also tried some closeup work as there were so many beautiful small fungi. I was using a 5omm macro plus a 25mm extension ring. This has resutled in a very narrow depth of field in the first image taken wide open at 2.5. I wanted to try and get all the water drops in focus so I tried f11 but the background is beginning to intrude. I liked the way the stalks go out of focus on the third image but probably should crop above the in focus moss.

If You Go Down to the Woods

All the wet and now mild weather has resulted in a bumper crop of fungi in the woods and fields. These were taken yesterday at Gamlingay Woods, Cambridgeshire. I will get them identified and add the species when time permits but thought this might encourage other fungi enthusiasts to get out in the woods this weekend.

Wimpole in Storm Light

We had a club outing to Wimpole Park this morning. Heavy rain was forecast and did arrive on time at 1 o'clock but the four hardy souls who got there at 9 am were rewarded with some amazing light. I had taken a 8-strength Neutral Density filter to try long exposures on moving clouds but it was too windy as the camera moved too much on the tripod. However, using shorter exposures (higher ISO etc), the filter did produce some dramatic images of the house bathed in sunshine with very heavy clouds behind. The tree shots were as shafts of sunlight lit up parts of the park.