The Lakes 11 th March 2019

Today I am going up to the Lakes,  there has been a heavy snow fall over the previous couple of evenings over the Fells and especially the Helvellyn range.   So a walk up from Thirlmere  is my choice today.
After a good drive up the m6 and down past Rydal and Grasmere I have parked up in the Swirls car park to walk up Helvellyn Gill.   But first a walk down across the road to have a quick fly over Thirlmere while the conditions are favourable.

                                                          9 frame drone panorama.

Turning the drone around to face towards Helvellyn, the sun is in the wrong position to shoot a good image, but this shows the area quite well.

I have landed and now starting the walk up the main path up towards Browncove crags , stopping to shoot this image with the 5dsr and 100-400L . a b&w conversion for this one.

The weather is looking great, clouds constantly moving with the sun illuminating different parts of the landscape as I watch.    I am using the long lens for most of the images today, picking out details . The trees along the shore of Thirlmere are lit up in this one with a snow covered Skiddaw in the background.

                                A portrait version, cant make my mind which one I like best.

Having climbed another section up the path, the added height gives more compositions ,  after watching the sun slowly move across the lake for over 15 minutes ,I waited until it lit up the fields to take this image.   well worth it .

I have now climbed up way past the snow line,  its about 6 to 8 inch here and drifts in gully's to about 18 inch.   Here is a four frame Vertorama shot with the 5dsr and 100-400L looking directly over Thirlmere.

 Its getting quite windy the higher up I get , and with a large area of blue sky about to come over  I will take my chance to get the drone up, this will probably be my only chance I feel.   Finding a bit of shelter from the wind near a large boulder to take off.

                           A manually shot 12 frame panorama merge, four rows of three frames

   This is a 21 frame 180 dgree panorama, I have cropped off either end to give better composition.

                                                                   Leaning into the wind!

That's it, bringing it back now as its just too windy.  the UAV forecast showing gusts to 48mph  at 200ft, and I must be about 1800ft higher than that up here near Browncove Crags.

I have climbed a little higher now, and the views across Thirlmere to the distant fells are fabulous.   Very good visibility right now, it was covered in a thin veil of cloud earlier, but that has lifted for now.    I use the 100-400L lens to compress the view, making the distant mountains appear much closer than they are.

               Blencathra looking magnificent with the sun breaking through illuminating sections.

                  Here we have l/r     Great Gable, Green Gable, Glaramara and Pillar in the distance.

             Here is another Long lens image -  Wandope, Grasmoor , Crag Hill, Eel Crag ,and Sail.


                   

                      Another steep climb and I have found some fabulous textures in the snow.
                                          The side lighting really brings out the detail.

                The snow texture really stands out in this image,  even with the sun being diffused by the cloud that is starting to build up.    

With more sun breaking though to light up the foreground , one of my favourite images of the day, taken on my phone !

That's the last of the blue sky gone, its clouding over fast now unfortunately so there is no point going any further with this light.

The wind is very strong up here now ,  and its getting very cold.  Time to start walking down, carefully!  here are a couple more phone images .

I have come back down and would you believe it, blue sky and a bit of sun again,   Think I will get another quick drone flight in,  I had picked out the Larch trees as a possible topdown image as I passed on the way up earlier.  time to see if it will work.  But first a Vertorama.

                                                    Now for a couple of Topdown shots.

                                                     A last image, 5 frame vertorama .

What a great day its been, hope we get some more snow before spring arrives...…..

Drone flying Lake District Jan 28 th 2019

Today we are all going up to the Lake district, heading to Glenridding . there is a bit of snow on the tops but not sure if we will get high enough for that.
After getting stuck on the motorway for ages after traffic was stopped to allow the Air Ambulance to land after a bad crash, we have eventually arrived at Glenridding  at 11.20  am!    a bit late   Arghhhh.

We stopped off on the way to get this phone shot near Troutbeck park  .  What a lovely day its looking like going to be .

      We are taking the Mires Beck path up towards the hole in the wall on the way up Helvellyn. I was in two minds whether to take the other route directly towards Kepple Cove and then Red Tarn.
Its quite warm down here but will be colder as we climb higher.    I have the drone so hopefully will get some good images today.

                                                The steep path up following the stream.

Jan is struggling already ,its going to take ages to get any height.   I don't think we will get to Red Tarn which was my plan unfortunately, and its so late already it would be getting dark before we would get back.

As we get up higher there is increasing amounts of snow and ice , here the path is treacherous with ice and Mollster is trying to eat it   haha

We have found a really nice area to fly from,  but first the Terrible Twosome are posing for a picture.  makes a change to get Chester to do this!!!!

                                                Time to get the Drone up in the air.
              A beautiful view across Glenridding and Ullswater , but I will photograph that later.

Looking upwards towards the hole in the wall, I can fly up the mountain to view the Helvellyn range while still keeping at the legal maximum 400ft above ground level.  

A 5 frame Vertorama, looking down on the path we are on heading up to Bleaberry Crag and Catstye cam left side in front of Helvellyn just in the corner .

Here is a 9 frame panorama, shot in the auto panorama mode on the phantom 4 pro., merged in lightroom.    showing l-r     Helvellyn, Catstye Cam, Whiteside,  Raise and Stybarrow Dodd.

5 frame Vertorama , shot manually adjusting exposure for each frame as the camera is tilted downwards to balance the light exposure.

                                                                    Drone flyer Panorama

One last panorama on this battery before changing and looking at the beautiful views across to Ullswater,      Flying behind me a little further away to show the side of Grisedale Brow and Nethermost Cove on the far left.

                                                                        Rest time   haha

Having changed the battery I will take a look towards Ullswater , the low sun is really bringing out the detail in the landscape , and the wall makes a superb lead in line for a superb composition.

                 What a stunning view , the light is fabulous now , pity about the clear blue sky!

            A full 9 frame panorama , the snow topped High street is clearly visible in the distance .
The wall is a perfect lead in line through the image, taking the eye straight towards the lake and then around to the mountains.

This view is perfect for a Vertorama image, Composed to following the wall towards Glenridding and Ullswater.

            That's a perfect way to end this Lake district trip.   Jan doesn't want to go any further, its gone 2 pm so will be dark in less that 2 hours so time to make our way back down to the car.  

A Snowy Lakes Trip Jan19 2015

There had been a good snow fall a few days ago up in the Lake district, so i decided to go for a walk around Thirlmere/Helvelyn.  Arriving at the Swirls car park i start my walk over the wooden bridge going up the Helvelyn path as i have always done , Mollster hasn't been up here , but not sure how far we will get today as the conditions don't look too good up top.

                                Making the steep climb up looking down the valley below .

                                                             Sun shining on Skiddaw.

 The steep slopes above Thirlmere.  plenty of snow on Armboth fell (i think)  and the surrounding fells opposite.

                                                        Mol rolling in the snow :)     yay

                          Looking up towards Browncove Crags , looks like it is snowing!

                                          Time to pose Mollster  , great view from up here :)

                                              The view Without a posing Mutt!!!!!!!   lol

       Upwards we go , its getting a bit icy for my micro spikes!  the wind has blown all the loose snow away leaving compacted snow/ice.    I have decided to stop here and turn back as i don't feel its safe to carry on!    its a shame after reaching  2,467 ft and almost getting near the top of the steepest section before it levels off , but !  the steep ice here it too dangerous for me to come back down safely. A couple of other climbers have also decided to go back also , except one young girl without any equipment , spikes or crampons who has continued with another climber!!!!!!!  stupid!

                                               Snow blowing in from the right now.

                                   Stopping on way down to shoot the fells :)  blue sky now.

                                            The wind has chiseled the snow into patterns

                                                              More posings Mol :)

                                 Sun lights up the snow on the foreground boulder :)

 Almost back down , i think i will head into Keswick to the Chippy , then Castle Rig stone circle.

 I have now arrived at the stone circle, i have always struggled to get good images from here , the snow on the fells with the blue sky looks great today :)

 Looking in the opposite direction, the light on the fells is awesome!    i quickly put my long 100-400 lens on and shoot this, my favourite image of the day so far .

the fells are, Thanks to Ray for naming these fells ;)    the long lens has compressed the field of view bringing the furthermost fells closer.


      Catbells (451m), Robinson (737m), High Stile (807m) & Red Pike (755m) on the horizon.

                                   And looking past the stone circle to the sunlit fells beyond!

                                       panorama of the circle  view larger HERE
  

                                                   Thick cloud over the fell tops now.

  A long exposure of 125 seconds 17mm wide angle as the sun starts to get lower and colour up the clouds a touch.

Looking across to Derwent water and the sun getting lower i must get going to see if i can shoot the sunset over the lake.
The sun is setting now and looks like it might be a nice one, so i am going to drive down to Keswick again and walk to Friars crag to shoot over  Derwent water.      Arriving just in time , the sun is setting already so i have not got time to walk to Friars crag ,its a better vantage point near the landing stages, so i quickly set up tripod and Lee filters to shoot long exposures with the Big stopper.

There are loads of seagulls and ducks on the water in front of me but the long exposure ghosts them out of view :)

                                                                  39 seconds f13 iso 200

I should have left Mollster in the car , she is pulling to get to the ducks that someone is feeding and as i was kneeling down framing an image, she has just pulled me over!!!!!!!!!  Arghhhhhhhhh



                 I have put the long lens on to fill the frame with colour,  really like the result :D


                                                          35 seconds f11 iso 200

                                                          105 seconds  f11 iso 200

 

                                                    The end of a great day in the lakes :)