Stormy weather over Snaefell

                            It's not all sunsets



Snaefell is the Mountain you can see bottom right of the photo. On a clear day you can see for miles, across to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Not on a stormy weather day though like today. That's when the pub is a better option. Taken from the Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve.


Snaefell 
Poyll Dooey on a sunnier and snowier days


Image part of Abc

Autumn Sunsets

                         Remains of the day


One from the archives. The Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve. Dying embers of the evening sky. No street light, purer colours.  Bit of peace and quiet in a noisy world.


Image part of  Our World Tuesday


Nikon D50, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

Sulby River, Poyll Dooey

                                    Still waters


A walk along the river with a camera, down by the river, alongside the Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve. The plan to seek out and capture on camera the elusive cormorant. I didn't find the bird, but I did find this tranquil scene. I'll take that. 


Jane Hards Photography for more from the Isle of Man


Image part of Weekend Reflections

Poyll Dooey Sunset

                              Chasing the light


One of my favourtie places in Ramsey, Isle of Man, the Poyll Dooey Nature reserve. Summer evenings, chasing the last golden embers or pink flushes of the setting sun. Winter evenings, still chasing the sun, but with the added bonus of leaf less trees, making striking silhouettes.  A haven of peace out side of the town, yet only a minute or two walk form the main high street. Great place for dog walkers, nature lovers, and of course photographers.

Nikon D7000

Jane Hards Photography

Image part of Skywatch where you can join or view other Bloggers skies.

Frozen

                                   Zoom lens 


A winter walk round Ramsey using the zoom lens. The zoom, allows me to capture inaccessible areas. I can stay on the pathways, walking round the Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve and focus on hidden ponds through trees and the wildlife at a distance without disturbing either. Early morning image taken a few winters ago. Still waiting for the snow to return to capture more Narnia shots


Image part of Abc where you can find other bloggers around the world and their posts for the letter each week. 

Swanning around

                          National Bird Day


Another Sulby river side walk in the Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve. It's a haven for birds of many feathers, but no foxes badgers or squirrels. We don't have those on the Isle of Man. We do have plenty of swans though. A Spring image, it is far too wet, cold, grey and windy for swans and photographers atm. Nice weather for ducks though. 


For anyone on twitter or facebook did you know it is #NationalBirdDay where you can see other posts around the world of birds. My bird collection album


This post today is part of Our World Tuesday.

Poyll Dooey, Bridle Path

                               Winter is coming


Taken from the bridle path, though I haven't seen any horses for a while, but there are a lot of cyclists and dog walkers. Perhaps it should be renamed   This is the entrance from the town side of the Poyll Dooey nature reserve In the distance you can see Bowring bridge which is situated next to Bowring Road and that's where downtown Ramsey begins, just a stone's throw away from this tranquil spot. Taken on a Winter's day, 2010 the only day I've ever know Ramsey in the 11 years since I've been here covered in snow. The next day, snow had turned to slush, but the nature reserve remained. 

Poyll Dooey - Attack of the Killer JCB - My World

Look at what has happened to The Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve

A Killer JCB is on the loose in Ramsey...

In the name of Progress!

Let the images do most of the talking tonight. I have many more be warned. I did warn you last week that the beautiful nature reserve is being torn and apart, for what we don't know? Housing supposedly. We need houses in the town. We need a wildlife haven here. Not that complicated an idea to grasp is it? Even heard a suggestion it could be a Supermarket. What next paving paradise for a car park? So if you know what the hell is happening to this heavenly area, apart from the land being savagely destroyed let us all know, as the people ripping it up don't seem to know either. Just "doing their job." Now where have I heard that before. MHK's, anyone in charge, anyone know anything- answers here. Now! You know I won't shut up about it until you do, and neither will my readers.

For less belligerent images from My World click here

Frankly my dears I do give a damn - Skywatch

Gone with wind, no a JCB

See that scene. Gorgeous or what. Well that might be one of the last times you see it. You know my favourite place. The place I always bang on about. You know the one with the rabbits, and fairy folk
(well I am stretching the truth maybe with the fairy folk but I wanna believe) and birds and dog poo (not white though since the 70's) and the river blah, blah. The one place where I can wander with my camera and not have little old ladies thinking I'm stealing their soul (they should be so lucky) by shooting them for the blog, yes that place. Yes the Poyll Dooey nature reserve. As if you didn't know by now. Well it's being ripped up by a JCB.


Well so far this is all I can tell you. Land has been levelled off one of the fields. This I'm told is for site access. For what you ask? The new house building going on. Ok so far, but not this. Diggers have ploughed a track over to the picnic site. Why? To make access to the picnic area. Trees are being hacked down. Large segments of the cultivated nature trail as well as the fields which have deliberately been left to fallow (for nature's sake, obvioulsy) are being ripped up too. Why? Likely for laying of pipes, possibly sewage outlets for the new houses.


May I suggest instead of ripping up the place that is a haven for wildlife, the powers that be actually look to the town to renovate existing derelict buildings and relevant plots. We need affordable accommodation in the town centre, not in the middle of a out of town fallow field at over inflated prices. I hope the fairy folk and Ginnie the Witch and of course myself curse your powers that be sorry asses.


Talk about can't see the wood for the trees! For less belligerent skywatch skies see here

RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN - FENODYREE SKYWATCH

From here to Infinity

Skywatch

A magical Manx sky in Ramsey, The Polly Dooey Nature Reserve. A very low ground image looking towards the last remnants of the setting sun.  That's the colour of the sky as it was. No alterations whatsoever.  Perhaps it's so colourful due to the Fenodyree. 

Fenodyree.

A Shy loyal creature who works the land. In return he askd for food and clothing. Don't upset him though my giving him clothing he does'nt approve of. he may leave you for pastures new.

Another snippet of this bonkers island with it's strange tales.  I can think of a least two major selling books that have used a version of the Fenodyree. Let you work out which.

The c

THEME DAY- BEST PHOTO- BERRIED SUNSET

Can you see the berried sunset?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I really have so many excellent photos, well I am a photographer so I should have, that to single out one of another really is fair. I simply chose the image that was taken purely  by chance one evening when photographing an autumn sunset over my favourite part of Ramsey, The Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve. It uses photographers rule of thirds which covers the technical bit and is overflowing with natural colour as mother nature intended, and needing no cropping, no alterations whatsoever. It is also the image that has one of the highest amount of comments and the one I get emailed about the most and is definitely your favourite out there in blogland. Therefore I bowed to readers, followers, passers by wishes and chosen your best image choice.

I am posting early as laptop time is limited and celebrations will ensue later and well I will not be capable by then once the drinkies kick in.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO ALL!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN - SKYWATCH

Poyll Dooey - Sunset Surprise(not really)

Good news a borrowed laptop for a few weeks. Bad news it's behaving very strangely.

A quick sunset over the nature reserve from about a month ago. Not much else to say tonight.

Going to grab a coffee and come back and see if I can get to grips with this laptop. Still converting and uploading images one as and when which is painstaking and boring.

Why is the line break double spaced or cramped I don't know, but's its very annoying. Any ideas anyone.

The concept was DOT'S, the next host WIGGERS WORLD the guardians of skywatch are Klaus Sandy Ivar Wren Fishing Guy Louise

MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS - WHAT LIGHT THROUGH YONDER BRANCHES BREAK

Poyll Dooey

Tree trunk legs can slimmed down in monochrome?

What an I say you all know what it's all about by now. An image in black and white that is quirky.
So what's odd about this. For me there are many things that are slightly odd, weird, quirky, peculiar about this image from the twisted branches to the odd trunk but I'll go with the spot of light you see. If this was colour you would know whether that was sunlight, moonlight, a sun flare, a fill flash etc. Oddly when you strip the colour from the image there is no point of reference, no colour, light or shade poking through the leaves and branches. The ball of light could be anything now, any time of day.


So here's my question for you photography enthusiasts out there, what time of day do you think this is. Just for fun of course, lighten up people I want this to be educational as you request, but please don't get in a flap.


Well you all know the problems I'm having and now I really am struggling. Only half the images to hand, and have to borrow Gary's laptop and upload one image only. So no at the moment no new images can be taken and it's getting to be a real headache as I cannot post at my leisure and choose an image and text in tandem already written. You could be getting some very bizarre images turn on the blog like my other tree odd shot click here

Want to join the weird world of Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEY

Want to join the beautiful and creative world of Mononchorome Monday? Then see Aileni at LOOSE ENDS

LOOKING UP TO THE NORTH BARRULE- SKYWATCH

Sulby River, Poyll Dooey

It's Friday it must be skywatch. I must be showing you a photo of my favourite place in Ramsey . The Poyll Nature Reserve, along the side of the Sulby River. A wider view though today. Same reflections and fluffy clouds but can you see the North Barrule in the distance, on the right hand side. What is a that though?


North Barrule which overlooks Ramsey. You can actually walk up there if you're feeling energetic.

This image is an archive, Sept. The river has sunken a little but it's still too muddy to actually walk down there without getting your boots sucked onto the mud. I'm pressed for time tonight due to my parnter's busy deadlines, so had to post an image that had been pre scheduled with all the info written.



Of course you can always look around for all the other beauties of the skies.

TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE SKYWATCH

Sparkling Poyll Dooey

Is it Friday already? Must be skywatch then. Hope this works today. Between computer glitches, server problems, Mr Linky not being Mr Linky and the horrible weather I have gone for an archive from the summer. A little bit of sparkle and twinkle on a cold wet November grey day. It's over the Poyll Dooey again, my beloved nature reserve in Ramsey. If you want to see how this shot was taken see Skywatch Poyll Dooey, my other twinkle pic with the photography lesson.


Well I've downloaded new software- running fine.
Server back to normal- for how long I don't know.
Mr Linky is working again- links seem fine now.


Today a big thank you to a few people. This really shows that "the kindness of strangers still exists," even if is not in your own back yard.


MRS NESBITT'S PLACE- tirelessly trying to run the ABC blog and keep us all linked somehow.
GORDON ADELAIDE- He kindly linked my blog to Mr Linky when my server was down. I asked for anyone to help, he jumped to it straight away.
SAILOR GIRL, PORTUGAL- Also jumped straight in and re added my link several times to ABC when it kept disappearing.


Many thanks you were my twinkling stars this week, tremendous help. Anyone stopping by, my blog today, stop by their blogs too for they kept this blog twinkling when it was lost in the virtual world.

To join us go to SKYWATCH.

The concept was DOT'S, the next host WIGGERS WORLD the guardians of skywatch are Klaus | Sandy | Ivar | Wren | Fishing Guy| Louise

POYLL DOOEY NATURE RESERVE

Poyll Dooey ABC

Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve is an area of land in Ramsey that is a haven for wildlife. It is also a haven for me as a photographer. You have seen this image above before, but not as a day shot, but one of my skywatch shots, where the skies are rich in purples and the trees are usually silhouetted. How different one place can look from day to night.

Poyll Dooey has a series of nature trails running through it. Follow the trails and you will happen upon many wonderful birds, rabbits, dragonflies, ladybirds... and dogs. It's a dog walkers heaven. Take a step off the nature trails and walkways and you will find yourself wading through overgrown scrub land, ponds, bogs, wild grasses and wild flowers such as bluebells and onto the meadows. Nestled amongst all of this is a picnic area in a beautifully maintained garden setting. walk to the far side of Poyll Dooey you happen upon the white bridge or wander a trail 'til you reach the Sulby River and follow it into Ramsey Town. In fact I have taken you round the Poyll Dooey many times, but usually down by the river. This is the meadow that lies in front of the white bridge.

Poyll Dooey, what does it mean though? Poyll means Pool that was the easy bit, but Dooey. First time around when I posted a Poyll Dooey post I asked if anyone had any ideas. Well I'll ask again. I've since found two meaning "sand dunes" or "fun gathering." Now as these two meaning differ greatly from each other I wonder if anyone else has another alternative.

By the way. The New American President will be making a guest appearance (of sorts) on this blog tomorrow. Obviously not in the flesh, but his er image will be.


Want to join ABC got the lovely hostess with the mostest, MRS NESBITT'S PLACE

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'(ON AN AUTUMN DAY?)

Has something happened to Blogger? Apologises to anyone who left a commenst on skywatch that I haven't got back to yet, but about 20 have disappeared into the ether. Checked scheduled outrage and nothing there so who knows. Aplogisies too for this post, it was supposed to be a neme and awards post but pics and copy and paste won't load. It could of course be the Manx fairies being a little mischievous tonight as the whole server is somewhat erratic today so a modified draft post that was not due for an outing is here for your viewing pleasure instead.

We seem to be having somewhat of an Indian Summer here. On my virtual blog travels I see others parts of the world are too. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining on a personal level but it is throwing the photography out of whack. People it's supposed to be red gold and greens intermingling leaves strewn across the pavements, not butterflies. The image shows you the leaves on the turn and as you can see in the background the bright blue cloudless sky peeping through looks more like the height of summer. Global warming no doubt. Personally I could do without seasons. Give me Provence( actually just give me Provence) sunshine all year round, no snow, no rain and I'd be a happy bunny. Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve is definitley having an identity crisis at the moment, clinging onto those metamorphing leaves. I will have no Autumn collection at this rate!

One thing I do have is lots of images that aren't so pretty. Ramsey is regenerating, supposedly.
One day I walk past a shop the next day it's closing. Houses are being demolished to make way for who knows what, the new swimming pool is still ongoing and roadworks abound. So we shall be leaving the Nature Reserve behind for a short hiatus to concentrate on the Ramsey buildings old and new. Quite what the workman think everytime I start trying to sneak into empty building to snap those arty derelict shots I don't know. It's like trying to get into MI5. The more closed off the cordoned demolition sites are, I'm afraid the more this photographer is intrigued. Perhaps it's the new Area 51?

Do you have any mystery areas in your town?

Magic post will appear whilst I'm asleep. That is if Blogger goes to print or maybe it's sleeping too. SHH!

SKYWATCH FRIDAY - RAMSEY, DAY FOR NIGHT

RAMSEY, DAY FOR NIGHT
BABOOSHKA
This image is copyrighted.


July 4th, we had this marvellous sunset. Never seen a sky like this in the 5 years I've been here.
For those who saw the previous posts you know I took a heaps of the setting sun that night over the nature reserve. Most of them I am using on a project which requires exclusivity, but this is one of the surplus I had left over. The other surplus stockI may post at sometime, unless I have alternative use for them.

For the record, no filters, photoshop or any other digital enhancements used. This was the sun setting between 10.pm 10.30pm July 4th 2008. You can check other sites to see I was not the only one who got this night's sunset images, but I am one of the few who got it at the optimum moments.

Not a lot else to say tonight. Need a blog break, due to small minded people who really have nothing better to do that belittle the blog. I'll let the image do the talking instead.It has a lot more to say with such colourful vibrant language than I do tonight, and that really is a change.

Please stop by Wiggers World tonight, as the sun is setting on the blog. Thank you.

To join skywatch go to SKYWATCH
The concept was Dot's, the next host WIGGERS WORLD the guardians of skywatch now are Tom, Imac and Sandy

ODD SHOTS MONDAY - WELCOME TO THE DEADWOOD FAMILY REUNION!

Is this the ultimate perhaps in recycling? I mean talk about cutting out the middle man. Literally going to the root cause or source of green issues depending upon your viewpoint. Perhaps it's the font of all knowledge when it comes too... No no more puns.

Odd though it certainly is. Again it's my beloved Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve, Ramsey where the odd shot sofa was. For those who didn't see it there really was an abandoned chair from a three piece suite in the woods. What to make of this though? It's quite high up about 8ft and there is no way to climb up the trunk it's too wide. No helpful branches either to step on. It certainly wasn't blown there by the wind. It's been placed on the branch. Can't say I ever see anyone reading the Racing Post in Ramsey either. So a real mystery then.

So is this a kiddie prank or a drunken jape? If it is can you just leave a comment on the blog telling me when and how you did this. Obviously I know when I took this and only the people responsible will be able to pinpoint the date and actual position. So don't bother with the wrong answers. Or just email me if you want.

I don't know. What with martian footprints , giant hand signs, purple houses, 3 legged flag symbols and Manx fairies and wild wallabies this place is becoming more Alice in Wonderland everyday. It wouldn't surprise me if I came across a white rabbit with a pocket watch shouting how late he was for his Tea Party in the Poyll Dooey next.

Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

Then see KATNEY

SKYWATCH FRIDAY- THE BRIGHT LIGHTS POYLL DOOEY

Is it Friday already. Well no actually it's still Thursday and this is a timed post. I no longer trust Blogger with the week I've had!

Oh yes, the pic. Do not try this at home, I am serious! This was very naughty of me. Breaking golden rules of photography with the one. I am too rebellious though, and the scene just begged to be taken. Do not point your naked lens at the sun!!!!!!!!

Wandering round Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve I found a nice bench, under this the tree in the pic to sit and change the lens. When I looked up the sun was so bright overhead that I thought I would get a way with one shot. The rest were taken with the sun not as exposed and streaming through the leaves. A very quick manual shot with a wide angled lens, ISO 200 to keep the blue sky blue and capture the white flash. I angled the camera against the leaves to create the sunflares. You will notice looking back over my images I like sunflares and try and catch the light to create them whenever I can. If I had used the auto setting this image would not have been as vibrant, and the sky would have been bleached. Have a go with manual setting when you can. Have confidence, you really do get finer, sharper hues and lines and it will train your eye on focusing, and perspective. Honest!

More bridge shots in the IOO series to come( the same photographed IOO different ways) and more Mutiny on The Bounty Isle of Man connections.

To join skywatch go to SKYWATCH
The concept was Dot's, the next host WIGGERS WORLD the guardians of skywatch now are Tom, Imac and Sandy