Author George McNeill

Black & White Wednesday

George McNeill 4 Comments

Had a few days break from work and was happy the sun decided to shine those few days. So I spent one of them at a few spots along the County Down coast. The tide was out and I was not counting on much wildlife on the mudflats. But the day left me with some grand photographs. So todays image is one of a Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) fishing in a fresh water stream that runs out through the mudflats.

Little Egret: Egretta garzetta

So it turned out a enjoyable day and may you all enjoy your day.

George.

Camera: Nikon D750 with a Sigma 150-600 mm lens

Data: f/6.3 @ 1/2000 sec: ISO 360, focal length 600 mm

Black & White wednesday

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This week we’re off to the coast and a small black and white bird called a Pied wagtail (Motacilla alba) is the subject. They are a common bird here in Ireland and the UK and can be seen all year round. They can be found almost any where, from coast to city centres. When standing they frantically wag their tail up and down or dashing across the ground in search of food.

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba).

Camera: Nikon D750 with a Sigma 150-600 mm lens

Data: 1/800 sec @ f/6.3: ISO 320

Lens focal length: 600 mm

Stay safe,

George.

Black & white Wednesday

George McNeill 2 Comments

This weeks photograph come from the town of Trim in County Meath, Ireland. It was taken on my mobile/cell phone which is something I rarely do. Trim is around two and a half hours from my home and it being a warm September day I had to get out on my motorcycle. Trim has a lot of history and I’ll put a link at the bottom of the post for anyone interested.

The photograph is off the bridge over the River Boyne. The bridge is claimed to be the oldest in Ireland but there are others that claim the same title.

River Boyne, Trim, County Meath, Ireland.

Trim History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trim,_County_Meath

Thank you for visiting.

Stay safe,

George.

Black & White Wednesday

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This weeks photograph is Lambeg parish church. It sits on the banks of the River Lagan a few miles from Lisburn. The first church dates back to 1598 with the possibly of one going as far back as 1306.

The oldest tome stone found in the graveyard dates back to 1626.

History link: http://www.s118536411.websitehome.co.uk/churches/Lisburn-churches/lambeg-parish-church.html#:~:text=HISTORY%20%2D%20Lambeg%20Parish%20Church,the%20tower%2C%20was%20completely%20rebuilt.

Camera: Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17 – 70 mm lens

Data: ISO 100, f/16 @ 1/2 second

Focal length 17 mm.

Thank you and stay safe,

George

Black & white Wednesday

George McNeill 4 Comments

I took this photograph of Max about 4 years ago when I lived in County Monaghan here in Ireland. We would go on early morning walks around some of the local lough’s. He was in need of a trim has his wet muddy hair shows this up here. Just look at his face, eager to get back moving through the fields.

Wet and muddy, a happy dog.

Hope he is still enjoying his walks, been a few years since I last seen him.

Take care and stay safe.

George.

Photo data: Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17 – 70 mm lens.

1/100 sec @ f/4: focal length 70 mm : ISO 400

Black and White Wednesday

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This shot was taken in Porthmadog, North Wales a couple of years ago. It’s one of the engines used on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway.

We traveled up to the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog which once was the slate capital of Wales. The slate quarried here has roofed buildings all over the world.

Ffestiniog railway

Photo details: Camera Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17-70 mm lens.

f/5 @ 1/160 sec, ISO 100 Lens focal length 28 mm.

Thank you,

George.

Black & White Wednesday

George McNeill 2 Comments

Going for gunpowder, another photograph from Castle Espie. On the way through the woods we passed the old gunpowder store. nothing would do but a look insider. Not sure if he found any and there was nothing on the evening news. So all good.

The gunpowder store Castle Espie.

I normally post one photograph each week on B & W Wednesday but this week I am posting another from Castle Espie. A view across Strangford lough to Scrabo Tower. I meant to post this with another view across Strangford lough I posted a few weeks back.

Looking across Strangford lough to Scrabo Hill.

Some info below:

https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie

http://celtandkiwi.com/scrabo/

Thank you for dropping by.

George.

http://celtandkiwi.com/scrabo/

Black & White Wednesday

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Another photograph from a trip to Castle Espie with my grandson Conor. This was taken where they have raised ponds planted out to suit different wildlife. Along the edges there are signage with drawings and the names of what lives in the ponds. So this is me getting a lesson on the newt tadpole that can be found in this pond.

Newt Tadpoles live in here.

Info: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie

Camera: Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17 – 70 mm lens.

Data: Shot at f2.8, ISO 125 @ 1/1600 second and lens focal length 70 mm.

Thank you for visiting.

George.

Black & White Wednesday

George McNeill 1 Comment

In parts of Ireland people believe that the spirits of the dead still live within the ruins of their homes.

Who am I to disagree with them. This shot taken through a gap in the trees with a telephoto lens and shows a small stone homestead with out houses built onto the main house. It possibly had a thatched roof when built and since this is hill country it would have been hard to live of the land here. Today it’s mostly sheep on the hills with some cattle on land that has been cleared and reseeded for better grazing.

The spiky looking plants in the foreground is soft Rush. these use to used for light at night in poorer house holds. Here is a link to there use: https://www.libraryireland.com/SocialHistoryAncientIreland/III-XVII-9.php

Camera :Nikon D7200 . Lens : Sigma 150-600 telephoto.

Data: ISO 500, f9 @ 1/250 second. Focal length 240 mm.

Thank you for visiting.

Stay safe,

George.

Black & White Wednesday

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Another photograph from Castle Espie this week. The photograph is of the Wishing tree at the start/finish of the Secret Swamp. The young man running towards it is my grandson, I had asked him to sit at the bottom of the tree. But running was his option not sitting, way to much energy.

The Wishing tree at Castle Espie, County Down, Northern Ireland.

In the photograph he is slightly blurred due to a low shutter speed I had set for him sitting. But I still like the effect, his wish was to run fast. I think he was granted it.

Camera: nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17-70 mm lens.

Data: ISO 320 : f3.5 @ 1/30 second : lens focal length 39mm.

Thank you for visiting.

George McNeill.