Gunnerside (June 2018)

These are a selection of images taken on a walk from Low Row to Gunnerside in Yorkshire plus some wildflowers photographs taken over a couple of days in the Swaledale area.

Starting with the wildflowers, we were intrigued by the following yellow flower which I think is a  monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus). We found it mostly in the wet areas by the River Swale and there were several patches where it seemed to be very abundant:

A few other wildflowers I selected includes: a cranesbill which I believe to be a wood cranesbill; an eyebright; a red clover flower; a speedwell which I think is a germander speedwell; and a knapweed flower (possibly black knapweed).

The footpath from Low Row to Gunnerside ran alongside the River Swale. The water level seemed very low due to the lack of sustained rainfall during May and June.

The fields at Gunnerside are patchwork of drystone walls and barns which I tried to capture as we walked, although we placed more focus on reaching the pub than the photography - far too hot for walking and too bright for good landscaping. I tried mono for a couple of the shots to counteract the brightness but I am not sure it made much difference to the results.

Making Hay While The Sun Shines (June 2018)

We had a wonderful day watching the hay being cut and baled at Low Row in Swaledale, Yorkshire. The farmer informed us that the unusually hot weather had meant an early harvest. There was a good view from our accommodation and also at field level providing a variety of photographic opportunities:

The opposite side of the dale at Low Row was patterned with drystone walls, barns and homes:

Muker, Yorkshire (June 2018)

These are a selection of images taken in Yorkshire on a walk from Muker along the River Swale towards to Keld. The bright sunny weather didn't really favour classic landscape photography so I was happy to be a tourist for the day, taking the photographs as we walked.

We stopped at a shaded spot on the river and there was an opportunity to capture some of the reflected colours before crossing a suspension bridge to make the return journey. A sign on the other side of the bridge informed that it was not a public right of way - too late by then!

On the way back I was interested in some of the old ruin buildings, possibly relics from past lead mining activities, the hawthorns clinging to the side of the valley, and the wonderful stone barns that dot the landscape: