Up 5.30 am and off to work, on the go all day and back an hour before the light fades. Grab a bite and see whats been happening on the site and Flickr. Then I note it’s been a couple of days since i last posted. Why does time seems to slip away like water down a drain, Can’t seem to get a chance to get the camera out, always something get in the way. Every day things that can’t get done from work, so another day slips behind the tired eyelids of living. When you read something like this you hear a little voice inside, I always find time. Well done  but we all live in our own worlds with our own thoughts and time limits. I come up with an idea in my head, a grand thought. Then plan to execute it with in a given time frame, just has the dog gets sick and the budgie decides to break it’s leg trying to ski jump off the chair arm. Stuff the budgie in my pocket and drag the dog out to the car. Off to the vets and while they are putting the budgie’s leg in plaster and sorting the dog out it then I see some great photograph’s shouting at me to take them. Where the camera now, in the house file mile up the road. Use my phone, battery dies just has the shutter gets pressed.

So what will I show and write about this evening, Would show you the budgie, but then we all have our own budgies. That’s why we read and look at things that interests us here. To forget about the mishaps and ponder over the stylish piece of writing or peel away the layers to see how and why that photo hits a spot within us. So when you have taken the best photograph and written the best piece so far this month/year, remember I to might get a day like that.

Then again look back at the good days you enjoyed in life.

Taken in Palace of Papa Luna, Illueca Spain. while on a three week motorcycle tour around Europe.

Have a good one, forget the bad ones and enjoy life.

Mondello Park International Race Circuit

Adelaide Masters Series Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October 2015

Had a good weekend at Mondello Race Circuit for the two day race meeting. Rounds 12 – 14 off the Adelaide masters Series,Two reason’s to be there, I enjoy anything to do with motorcycles and to support the young man above. His name is Mark McConville from Drogheda, Ireland. Leading the Production Twins on his Suzuki 650 he had a good chance to lift his first championship over the next three races left this weekend. Going into the the 12th race of the series on Saturday he had to finish ahead off his nearest rival on points. Alas it was not to be, finishing lower left it to today’s two races to clinch the title  ( Sunday) . Setting out in the first race off the day Mark started well, keeping ahead of his rival for the first few laps. Then falling a couple of places behind he started to get going leaving his rival slipping down the field. Crossing the line at the end of the six lap race he had won his first championship. Congratulations Mark from all those that turned out to support you. And you made your dad (Hi Dick) very proud of his son today.

A few more shots from Mondello in no order.

Thank you for looking.

Stopped off on the way home from work this afternoon at Drumbeg on the outskirts of Belfast. Took a walk down the tow-path on the River Lagan. Great to meet people of all ages and interests enjoying the fine weather.

Beautiful weather and a slow moving river.

Some autumn (or fall for our Americian friends) colour change creeping into the the trees and the stronger green of the evergreens standing out

A quick shot of a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly in the garden back home.

Thank you for looking

Lough Boora

Map

Lough Boora Parkland a beautiful place for a walk with your camera, explore the Sculpture Park. A couple of takes on two of the sculptures and some of the wildlife.

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Thank You for looking.

Was reading when the the sun was setting and I saw my shadow on the wall. It brought back something I was talking about the other day. How we become prisoners of fear within our own minds. How we sometimes restrict ourselves in the process of picture taking. The fear of showing or displaying them, fear of what others think. The fear of asking permission when you would like to photograph someone or to enter somewhere. Even people watching you while you are  photographing can have a effect on your photo’s. The first time I decided to have a go at street photography I spent the first hour afraid to put the camera to my eye. Then I held the camera in the open and walked up to my first shot put the camera up and click. It was in the bag, I smiled at the person, thanked them and moved on. The more I showed the camera the less people noticed it. We walk about in our own little worlds of thought and seldom notice what goes on around us. Since then I have no problem openly photographing people in public places. Though check the law in your own area of where and what you are allow to photograph. Once the cell door starts to open keep pushing it and never let it close.

Have fun and thank you for reading.

Getting up close to my money.

Set up the camera and was experimenting with my macro photography, has you do when the evenings close in.

Chia seeds on the white paper with macro lens and extension tubes.

After a few attempt’s here is one shoot with a tooth pick has a size reference .

The final shot of the evening.

Thank you for viewing .

Mountlucas Wind Farm on the R400 in Co. Offaly Ireland. http://www.bordnamona.ie/our-company/our-businesses/power-generation/wind/visit-mount-lucas-wind-farm/

Don quixote https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote

From the car park it’s a two kilometre walk to the first of the metal giants along the wide stone covered walkway/cycle way. The sky over head the same colour has the earth I walk on. Stones press hard on the trainers I wear and my feet shoot boots. This being a wind farm it is earning it’s keep today, gusty winds rule out any flower or macro photography for me. One of the trials of traveling by motorcycle is the amount of equipment you can carry. Hearing laughter carry in the wind I knew I was not alone. Setting up to shoot some bulrush plants at the side of the walkway the first of the running children and dogs came around the corner followed by mums and baby buggies, lastly by a couple of men bring up the rear, sweeping those that adventured off into the thicket  to hide before them.

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Then Don Quixote met his first metal giant.

It’s only has you get close to these metal giants does there size impact on the mind. The gentle SWOOSH the blade makes on its descent, cutting the air fabric before climbing to repeat it’s assault.

 Given the grey day and change in the air temperature I liked the idea of having a blue/grey theme to the walk. Having reached the two kilometre  and turning right it’s a four kilometre walk to the eastern gate car park.

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 The wind played with the giants and made them sing, not an unpleasant song While grey clouds danced about the cutting blades and the giants synchronized their movements and song.

Coming around the back of the walk the path stretches out into the distance,  watched over by the giant wind turbines. Like guards making sure you don’t stray from your route they watch you travel the long grey road. There are birds and insects aplenty, but off the path the ground is soft and the peat black, If planning to venture off the path make sure you dress appropriately and watch for wet soft ground. Give this place another couple of years and allow natural development it will be a great spot to engage in photography and bird watching. Walking and cycling in a safe environment for all ages.

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Near the end of my walk this ox eye daisy stood like a beacon to mark the way and brighten the eye as I leave the giants watching my exit .

Thank you for reading and feel free to comment.

George

Love the texture in this close up of a Mute Swan’s large webbed foot. Take at the Quoile River, Downpatrick.

These Swans are used to human’s and will come right up to you.

click Photo to enlarge.