Red Deer Skull

Monday I saw the first butterflies of the year. Brimstone, tortoiseshell and peacock.

Tuesday was First Shorts Day (late but welcome) and to celebrate I went to Thorne Moors for the first time this year (outbounded by lockdown previously). It was great to be back there on such a beautiful spring day. I saw whooper swans a plenty and discovered a new path - henceforth to be know as Skull Path on account of the red deer skull which we (Layla and I) found. I took this photo, Layla chewed another of its bones. A great day.

Back on the road

Lockdown rules have changed in the UK, so we can now go further a field to walk, cycle etc. This is good news. Yesterday I took the dog to Bishop Wood and to say she enjoyed the freedom of the forest would be an understatement. I was pretty happy to. The water table is very high at the moment, so this pond, which has never existed before in the forest in my experience, appeared out of nowhere. It will be gone in a week or so I think. The height above sea level of Bishop Wood is a max of 7 metres.

NYC

It is just about impossible to get tired of taking pictures in New York City. This was taken on only my second visit to the city in 2004.

The Outgang

This is a part of York called the Outgang which is the way from the city to the pasture. It has a slightly lawless feel to it, emphasised in this shot by the BMX jumps that have sprouted amongst the trees. I like it.

Bridge

 This bridge over the River Derwent (which was in a mild flood at the time) is a great bit of architecture.

Tillmire

 I went a long walk with the dog this week, and got to the Tillmire, a piece of old heathland bog south of York. In the middle of it there is this pond, which really does feel like an oasis, complete with geese. I had never seen it before despite having cycled within a 100 metres of it many many times.

Daffs

 Various daffs around the garden are making their appearance. These are in particularly good nick.

Hemingbrough

 The majestic Hemingbrough steeple behind the majestic Layla, taken a couple of weeks ago.

Chicago

Six years ago I was taking Rowan to an interview at the University of Chicago. All very pleasant and traditional.

DC

 Nine years ago, in Washington DC at one of the memorials.

Dorset

 Dorset. Quite hard to make Dorset look anything but benign, but I thin these dead trees achieve it.

Southend

I did some work in Southend in 2012, the light was great and a seaside town out of season is often a good subject matter.

Science

 Found this in my Glasgow file, from the science museum. I like it.

Dundee

 Cycle tour to Dundee with Ted and Dave in 2009. This is Scot's ship on the Tay waterfront. 

Sheep walking

Sheep get an unfair bad press - not that daft at all. A group crossing a river in single file, in the Highlands. Taken in 2007 when we were on a family bike tour.

Arthur's Seat

Top of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh 2007. It has to be the best city centre walk in the UK, off the train, stroll down the royal mile then up you go on a real hill walk.

Mull

Taken at Tobermory on the isle of Mull in 1994. I do remember discovering the joys of single malt whisky in a bar on that harbour. 

Strensall

Took this on Strensall Common last week. It is a beautiful place and it was good to walk there once more.

Vaccine

Had my vaccination yesterday - very pleased to get it. Today I woke up feeling exhausted and have spent the day in bed! A price worth paying by any reckoning. 

River Ouse

 A walk by the Ouse last week. The river is tidal here but still a good way from the sea. In the still mist it appeared other worldly.

Portraits

This shot is from my walk on Hook Moor last week. The whole landscape has a strangely unreal feel, and that is what I was trying to catch here.

I did a portrait session yesterday. First since last summer, and necessarily outdoors in a forest. Went really well. Great to be back at it.

Railway Pond

The pond really changes with the seasons and the light. The cold misty morning last week gave me this vista as I walked to get the paper.

More Leeds

It was great to be in Leeds last week, and see the terraced streets climbing the hills. Amazing architecture.

Oxford

This was taken somewhere near Oxford a few years ago. Not sure where but I can see why I took it. Not exactly dreaming spires.