photo blog

Narrow roads and pink mountains

Last week I visited a friend in Burncourt, Co Tipperary. I chose a narrow country road for fun and delightful drive. Didn’t know it would be that narrow… When I startled a pheasant sleeping in the middle of the road and he lazily walked away, I thought I got lost… I didn’t take any pictures, but this one ( shared on Facebook) gives you an idea:)

After the visit I thought I might better go up the mountains on my way home. My initial plan was to stop by the ruins of Shanbally castle barbarically demolished in 1960, but I changed this plan in favor of driving South towards my favorite Old Clonmel-Cork Road.

This area lies in the Galtee-Vee Valley (Golden Vale) with the Galtee Mountains to the north and the Knockmealdown Mountains to the south. I love the rolling hills and open pastures with the breathtaking hilltop views, and I love the gradual transition from the green sunlit Knockmealdowns to the dark and lonesome Comeraghs.

In Clogheen I turned to the Vee.

The Vee Pass in Knockmealdown mountains (refers to the V-shaped turn) is a beautiful place to visit all around the year because of its stunning panoramic views, but in June the wild rhododendrons bloom in the hills, and it is the view you will never forget.

In the picture above you can see the Galtees framing the valley from the North.

The blossoms are of the color of frothy foam on the top of boiling raspberry jam. I imagine a gigantic cauldron in the hills above the Bay Lough, and the jam overflowing the cauldron and making its way down through the woods, dripping from the rocks and making puddles in the hollows. A waterfall of pink. I am overwhelmed by this breathtaking beauty.

The Bay Lough lake.

Biological function of a flower is reproduction. Mother Nature made it beautiful.

On my way down the mountain I took a few shots to make this crooked panorama:). Didn’t bother to set a tripod: I was afraid to shy away that young couple. Love is beautiful!

Photography tip of the day: to make a panorama take as many pictures as you need to have a 40-50% overlap. Use portrait format. And a tripod:)

Have a wonderful weekend!

My Harry Potter trip : bold and beautiful Edinburgh

There are three categories of people : Mega fans of Harry Potter books and movies; people who enjoy or simply like them, and people who have heard about them. It is why I am writing this post without fear to be accused of catering to a small clique:)

There is a profound work done before me, and I especially like these two articles: Places in Harry Potter and Hogwarts. An image of Glenfinnan viaduct is sadly missing in both articles ( the idea for the book “came fully formed” into J.K. Rowling mind when she was on a train). It is why I started my post with this image of the famous viaduct taken by my daughter on their Scotland trip.

Visiting Edinburgh I had Harry Potter in mind most of the time. This is my brief report of possible sources of inspiration for the beloved books, and some remarkable features of the city. To be honest, I think that everything in this city contributed to Harry Potter books, as it did to many excellent examples of literature of all times.

Doesn’t it look familiar? This is George Heriot’s School, the private school for Edinburgh’s wealthy that was founded in 1628 and (officially) inspired the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:)

So, George Heriots’ or Hogwarts?:)

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen.

Their museum is amazing. They have a few things that belonged to Mary Stuart, and a lock of her hair.

The ruins of the ancient abbey in the Palace grounds.

Another remarkable structure is this magnificent gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott.

And this is Sir Walter himself.

Camera Obscura museum, collection of optical curiosities. May be I am making a mistake telling you that I spent half a day in this museum… These two mirrors face the street and anybody can amuse themselves at any time. I think that wizardry and illusions have lots in common.

Optical illusions. The other hand is also mine:)

The vortex bridge pictures taken without (1) and with flash (2). All the construction is spinning and makes you quite dizzy.

So it is what I was doing there: having fun. This is their page.

The best view is from the top floor of Camera Obscura building.

In the 16th century here the world ended and the Edinburgh began:)

Ghost hazard places. I bet that Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery also added to J. K. Rowling’s inspiration. I took a ghost tour to fill up on adrenaline.

Andy the Guide is telling us the story about Mackenzie ghost …

Body snatching was very popular those days… This is a security system.

There is a story about poor Bobby. People still bring him toys and pieces of wood to play with.

Here is a statue of Bobby and the pub where I ate my first haggis, neeps&tatties:)

Walking the streets. Grassmarket.

This pub is situated just across from the former execution place. The Last Drop wasn’t the name dedicated to the Alcoholics Anonymous club…

‘Half Hangit’ Maggie Dickson was hanged but survived:)

You might hate checked stuff, but it is impossible to walk away without buying one:) Hurry up, gentlemen, kilts on sale!

Kilts! Take a closer look at the guy’s compromise kilt. His seriously equipped boss wouldn’t let him walk in pants:)

That guy with the lollypop looks fun:)

No way this man would look so determined if he had just a simple pair of trousers on him. A true warrior!

Love this sweet gentleman and his doggies:)

Some foreign tourists are trying to blend in:)

Princess street Park. They have an orchestra playing there.

And finally, this is the place!:) As the legend tells, J. K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter novel here.

Inside the Elephant House; I didn’t eat anything there, had no time. Didn’t write anything either:)

I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit.

Photography tip of the day: When going for a photography trip, check the map for the locations in interest: you will want to know where the sun is at a particular time of the day so you can plan your schedule.

Have a good week!

Black Wolf Blogger award and my nominees

Multitalented Aquileana nominated me for a Black Wolf Blogger award.

I am thrilled because it is my first award :). Aqueliana has a fantastic blog. She writes about the times when the Gods and the Humans mingled together. She knows mythology well and her interpretations are amuzing and blissful.

I thought it would be appropriate to post these images as a thank you:)

I am to nominate 10 bloggers for this award; check out their blogs, you will like what you read and see.

Sheri de Grom

Hattie Wilcox

Beef and Sweet Tea

Living With My Ancestors

Here are the rules:

1. The nominee shall display the Black Wolf Blogger Award logo on her/his blog.

2. The nominee shall nominate ten (10) she/he admires, by linking to their blogs and informing them about it.

I wish you all the best!

Traveling blog: I am learning from you

Many of the bloggers that follow me and I follow in return are doing amazing job and I admire them. I am overwhelmed by talent! Last week a passionate blogger and mental health advocate Sheri de Grom http://sheridegrom.wordpress.com/ asked me to join the Traveling blog. I felt so grateful and truly humbled. Sheri is doing a job of tremendous importance speaking for the people suffering from mental illness. Her blog is a powerful tool, my blog is only a little piece of love I have for my fellow human beings.

As I accepted the invitation, here are a few questions I am supposed to answer.

What I am working on at the moment?

I am planning to visit Saltee Islands, Co Wexford, for bird photography. Now I am doing some research for this trip. My next destination is Cliffs of Moher, also mostly for bird photography, and after that I am going to Dublin for street photography (Pride festival).

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Well, it must differ a bit because I write in a language which is not native to me. Common sense tells me to rather keep to photography than do any writings, but sometimes there are things I do want to tell about. . I write just about everything:) When I work I am thinking, and if it looks like a good thought to share, so I do. Sometimes I read about some place or person, and I like to go and see them by myself, take my own pictures and share. Usually I don’t have a detailed plan, because I love to surprise myself too:)

Why do I write what I do?

I feel good when I think that somebody smiles reading my blog, or sighs, or drops a tear, or gets inspired for doing something special. I must love humans, otherwise why would I pursue portrait photography:) I want them to be safe and comfortable, to understand and love humor, to be touched by beauty and amazed by new knowledge.

How does my writing process work?

I am a person who is amazed with things all the time, so it is easy for me to pick up a subject. I write what I see, what I know, what I care about. Most of the times I am smiling when I write:). Usually I do research and write a draft; then I take pictures, and then… I write all over again.

Here are some fellow bloggers who have accepted my invitation. I don’t know why I am so lucky to meet the most amazing people! Please visit their blogs. I know you will love what they do.

Incredibly talented Hattie Wilcox, http://availablelightonly.com/ , http://writingwithoutahelmet.com/ I am walking through her blog like through an enchanted forest. Every picture tells a story, every word of poetry takes me away.

Warm humor of Emily Grace http://beefandsweettea.com/ always makes my day. When I read her blog I do want to have a goat and chop the mustard… I want every day to be a National Agriculture Day. Today I stuck behind a tractor on my way home – had no bad feelings, seriously:)

Leyla Garza http://darkpink.wordpress.com/ , her photographs will tell you what a young girl likes. She lost her lens cap you see, and since then she cannot stop taking pictures:)

Here are some pictures from last week. Hope your day is nice and peaceful.

Photography tip of the day: photo editing is art itself.

Have a great day!

Clancy Brothers music festival in Carrick on Suir

What a great time to visit Ireland! This weekend Carrick on Suir, Tipperary, hosts the 7th annual Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival! The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were an influential Irish folk group in the 60s; they are loved and honored in their hometown and recognized by folk song lovers throughout the world. There are a few pictures of the shop windows decorated for the occasion.

A harvest time for street photography, but for me as a jet lag casualty it is impossible to see everything. I just walked Main Street to listen to the street performing, or busking, competitions, and went to the Ormond castle for a Family Day fun. I find it very fascinating to watch the street performers. Closeness to the art happening in front of your eyes gives you a false feeling of belonging, but when you look in their inspired face you realise how far away they are now, unreachable, deep in their work, focused and beautiful.

Ormond Castle welcomes families to enjoy the medieval experience.

Some people enjoy it even more than the others 🙂

The Falconry exhibition was grand but this 7-weeks old baby owl girl stole the show. It is exactly what we call a cuteness overflow. I wish you could hear the gentle sounds she made and see her cuddling in my lap.

There are so much more music and creative arts events, I wish I could be everywhere… Song writing workshop and competition, concerts of local and visiting performers and choirs, pub live music sessions all over the town, a river walk, children drama workshop and theatrical performances, visual art exhibitions…