A good week
Spring has come alive
I wrote recently about the visit to my local Welsh oak and reflected that spring seemed a bit slow to awaken. Well this week life took me up and down the A470, a road that I will write more about soon, and it would have been rude not to have taken the camera.
It quickly became apparent as I travelled through Y Bannau Brycheiniog, the Brecon Beacons in old money, that spring had arrived. The buds and young green leaves pathing the way of my drive and bringing fresh life to the hillsides. The green trees and the lambs providing that strong reminder of place and location.
The same through the rolling hills of Mid Wales and to Eryri, Snowdonia in old money, and the urge to get the camera in action overwhelmed. On the way north it was ‘just’ some roadside snaps. Little scenes on a small detour on the B4410 navigating towards Llanfrothen and then Beddgelert.
There was an extra joy in ignoring the large canvas of Eryri or the picture postcard shots of the Aberglaslyn pass. It was a small scene, grabbed by the side of the road, that took my eye.
The light fell kindly, there is a natural contour through the landscape and the green of spring sprinkles nicely across the scene.
To capture just one pleasing scene in a week is often reward enough but on this trip the return leg south gave me the time for two stops.
Coed Cymru - The Woodland Trust in Wales own and manage a site near Llyn Mair in the Maentwrog valley. I had around 45 minutes to wander, take in scenes and capture images, I even managed a short vlog. There was moisture in the air and scenes to die for. The following image is probably a favourite so far.
The way in which the plants (fresh blueberry?) tumble over the rocks and running from top right to bottom left. Enveloping a main character with a supporting cast of spring trees.
You can watch the short vlog here:
Then onwards south on the A470 with another location in mind. I have had some ancient oak sitting alongside the River Wye, just north of Rhyader. They didn’t disappoint and the area deserves more time.
There is a Nature Reserve opposite and more opportunities.
A road trip that was guided by spring light and rain but gave more than three pleasing images and a shaort vlog.
a very rewarding contribution for Compose-Expose-Edit.