Herb Riddle's photos

About 14 miles (22Km) from my home lies a very beautiful valley that starts of with a bit of woodland. On this rare blue sky day we thus make a beeline for it as a place we have not wandered for over a year now. I share a moment with you here just as the path turns downwards towards the river. Of course, once again its the golden leaves of Autumn with this light that is my main attraction. Spot the nesting-box. Enjoy full screen.

A misty morning's walk brings me to this old railway bridge. All is quite today, not even many dog walkers but that could all change. At the moment just listen to the silence.

Just a few minutes walk from my home within a tree-laden valley runs a little stream. It's normally very subdued but after weeks and weeks of continuous rainfall it is faster and higher then normal. Anyway, here is an attempt to slow it all down and give it more substance by using a very long shutter speed of 15 seconds with a x10 ND filter and a sturdy tripod. Catch the fallen Autumn leafs on the river bank here, As can be seen, a gentle breeze is blowing and moments later the heavens open up again as I rush back home protecting my lens and camera. Enjoy large.

A look at Briksdalsbreen Glacier and its lake in Norway, taken in Aug 2005. We travelled to this from Olden, on Nordfjord and was astounded by the beauty of it. See PiP Unfortunately, we see it here before its impending death! - I was astonished to see yesterday, that this view has almost disappeared in the 14 years since we were here, due presumably to global warming. I did in fact manage to get underneath the ice here too. Only the very top is now visible as ice but the modern visitor have a few splendid waterfalls from the melting top of this in Summer. See the decline of the glacier here . Another from my Panoramio collection. PIP. Enjoy full size.

Another view from this wonderful natural park of Tandle Hills here in my hometown of Oldham. On this morning everything came together for a most wonderful walk through autumn reds, yellows and gold, enhanced by the thick leaf drop here. Listening carefully, I could just hear the soft susurration of this part of the woods, whilst watching the squirrels running to hide their nuts. The fence accompanies a flight of steps to the valley bottom and a small foot bridge of previous acquaintance (PiP). Essential full screen. I wish you all, a great weekend

Taken whilst travelling from Italy to Switzerland on the famous Gothard Pass in September 2013. I think we are looking here backwards southwest towards the Swiss Ticino mountain range around Basòdino. An added bonus of this almost painterly view was the unusual colouring of the middle heights -maybe sandy clay? Notice the now ancient Olympus camera that took this. Another from my old Panoramio album. A must full screen view

Man and nature come together here at Hardcastle Crags to give us a bit of piece and harmony. It was not always so. The buildings are part of the Gibson Mill which provided work for some locals many years ago. PiP

My old Kodak folding camera, gets a retrieve from the attic for its portrait. Yes, I have actually taken photo's with this that required my own processing and printing too. They were not bad but the effort in bringing those photos was not what it is today with the ability to take thousands, instantly with our pocket phones and then view or send them anywhere. Ah, the good old days. PIPS of the whole camera included here too. Notice the special Autographic pen and opening window at the back of the camera that allows a date or any other info to be scratched onto the photographic film back hence displaying that on the finished negative and photo. A unique futuristic form of Exif here, well in front of its time. The back inscriptions says "Use Autographic Film No.A-120" - It appears that these camera's where made between 1904-1926. Maybe this really is a hundred years old!

A look at my local reservoir walk, Dove Stones in Greenfield at the end of Autumn. This taken last year on a wonderful misty morning. Enjoy large PiP

A wonderful Autumn morning at Tandle Hills Park, brings out dog walkers by the dozen and quite a few photographers too. Enjoy large

Seen near the fish pier of Argostolli on the Island of Kefalonia. - We could see a crowd of people standing on the sea edge looking into the water. Imagine our pleasant surprise on seeing a number of these turtles there. Each one about a metre in length. 'Loggerhead turtles are named for their large heads that support powerful jaw muscles, allowing them to crush hard-shelled prey like clams and sea urchins. They are less likely to be hunted for their meat or shell compared to other sea turtles. Bycatch, the accidental capture of marine animals in fishing gear, is a serious problem for loggerhead turtles because they frequently come in contact with fisheries. Loggerheads are the most common turtle in the Mediterranean, nesting on beaches from Greece and Turkey to Israel and Libya. Many of their nesting beaches are under threat from tourism development. Sea turtles are the living representatives of a group of reptiles that has existed on Earth and travelled our seas for the last 100 million years. They are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems and help maintain the health of coral reefs and sea grass beds." : www.worldwildlife.org/species/loggerhead-turtle

I am here at my local Alexandra park again collecting yet more Autumn scenes. Taken just before the best of this year’s Autumn golds but on a beautiful clear dry day. Notice on the lawns across, the now very local Canadian Geese that have taken up residence here. – Sorry for the slightly out-of-focus fence, I was obviously too taken up with the landscape and light. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb

Another look into the alleyways of Chania in Crete. Only around the corner from luxury hotels and restaurants, indeed this could be the back of those same buildings.

A wonderful if not breathtaking view over Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia. A close up of this reveals that the passenger is holding strongly to her phone selfie stick. -This taken from the same spot as the adjacent photo. 2x PiPs Enjoy

A high view of this wonderful beach from the main road riding the edge of these mountain coast roads here on the Island of Kefalonia. It would have been nice to experience the beach closer but - well that is what comes of taking the tour bus.... 2 x PiPs Enjoy full screen

As we sail into another Island of Greece we are greeted by this sunrise. A whirlwind trip around the Island for us - a cave lake boat trip, and possible coastal turtles later!

Each November we start to get weather like this. Its about 7C and feels wet in the humid mist. Here I am again just a few minutes walk from my home, on my local railway walk. Yes, this path used to be a railway line, hence the old railway bridge. Enjoy

Another corner turned and another narrow stepped lane. As with so many of these streets in the old part of the Crete Island town of Chania, it is full of hotels and restaurants. Another place of serene beauty as well. Enjoy