Herb Riddle's photos

We see here a female Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) having caught a grub, probably for her young. I am almost at the spot where I captured the clifftop view of Ratlin Island’s east Lighthouse (PiP). The other side of this fence is a long drop to the sea rocks below. Enjoy the weekend.

This autumn I have had another rare chance to revisit a favourite place: Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge. In its heart sits this mill and pond. The mill, now a small café and museum, it even has seats where I am here to picnic whilst admiring this wonderful view. I This fine old mill now owned by The National Trust lies in a very picturesque valley. The Gibson Mill was built around 1800. It was one of the first generation mills of the Industrial Revolution. The Mill was driven by a water wheel inside and produced cotton cloth up until 1890. In 1833, 21 workers were employed in the building, each working an average 72 hours per week Enjoy full size.

Along Hebdon Water in Hardcastle Crags there stands, quite hidden, a small structure bedecked with moss. My wife calls it the Elves house as she is sure she heard a small tuneful tinkling sound from within whilst passing, Enjoy this autumn scene in full screen. Enjoy the day.

Yet another castle from me here. This is Red Bay Castle taken from the coast road heading south, just after the small town of Cushendall in County Antrim. I believe good views are to be had from there but only by trespassing! The first castle here was built around the 13th century on an Anglo-Norman motte but the one we see here was built around 1652 after another from 1561 by Sir James McDonnell was burned to the ground, re-built, and then further destroyed by Cromwell in 1652. Yes a lot of history here. This ruin is only a small part of the original castle. See PiP for close-up view. Enjoy full screen.

See next photo for description

An autumn search for gold leaves brought us to the valley of Harcastle Crags, a local beauty spot near Hebdon Bridge in Yorkshire. Not many strong gold and red leaves on this capture near the edge of the tumbling river ‘Hebdon Water’ but a traditional bench for those that require it. HBM, enjoy the day.

A rare natural history insect capture from me here. This seen in a pond on a recent drive and walk. Damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are smaller than dragonflies and are known for their graceful flight and dazzling colours at times. This couple are in their mating position. More info: www.britannica.com/animal/damselfly Enjoy full screen.

This is taken on Embleton Bay at the northern end of the big castle grounds showing its lone Lilburn tower (named after John de Lilburn, who became constable in 1322.) Of course we see the rather nice Dunstanburgh cliffs too which is known for its sea-bird colonies of razorbills and guillemots. The great artist William Turner painted this tower: www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-dunstanburgh-castle-the-lilburn-tower-with-the-sea-beyond-d00954 Essential full screen

It seems to have been a while since I last took some Autumnal mist photos and so here is a scene that I came across on a ride out to get some Autumn gold trees. This lake/reservoir is a very popular spot with a fine promenade all the way around its 2.4 mile perimeter. I am reminded here that I must re-walk this again sometime. Notice the water-level is still very low after our very dry summer. The white building is a very popular restaurant here. Enjoy the weekend. Herb

A rather ‘painterly’ view of this raging sea down near the little harbour of Ballintoy. Just one of many shots here as the waves thundered into these rocks. Not a spot to neither slip into the water nor drop the lens cap but it sure was hypnotic. Enjoy full screen.

Another look at this Island lighthouse sat on top of a high headland. Operating since 1849, It had two unique features, twin lights and explosive charges instead of a fog-horn. Both these features have now been superseded but the main light is still in automatic operation. See PiP for high view. More info: www.irishlights.ie/tourism/our-lighthouses/rathlin-east.aspx Have a great day. Herb

A walk just around the corner from my home brings me to this scene. The late low light brings out the best of these Autumnal golden leaves. Enjoy full screen.

A quick whizz through the Isle of Arran brought us via the ferry from ‘The Mull of Kintyre’ back to the village of Lochranza, home of this castle and it’s even more famous ‘Arran Whisky’ distillery. This five minute stop on our way to our next ship at Brodick lacks the nice light on our previous visit but gave us the opportunity if we wanted it, for a rest on these seats. It looks like the castle is having some work done on it now. See Pip for 2017 version HBM, enjoy the day.

A fascinating look of natures work here on our coast of Northumbria. Looking almost like a manmade road being distorted by an earthquake, I walked all over this to assure myself that it was indeed only natural rock and not man-made. I think there might be a name for all this apart from the obvious volcanic ‘Folded Rock formation’. Perhaps you my friends can enlighten me. = anticline. Thank you Judite. Taken just past Dunstanburgh castle in Embleton Bay. See PiP for alternative view. Enjoy full screen.

A look at our Autumn colours in my local Saddleworth area. Here is a glimpse of the Huddersfield narrow canal at Uppermill. Enjoy full screen.

An old window perhaps, in the walls of this ancient castle here in Northern Ireland. There is quite a long drop beyond the wall to the jagged rocks below and so this fence is very much needed here. This is the same viewpoint that I took the ‘White Rocks of Portrush’ from. See PiP’s. Enjoy the weekend. Herb

Come and join me on a walk over the wild Ratlin Island situated some six miles from the mainland of County Antrim, Northern Island. Here on the east side we find one of the Islands two lighthouses. It was requested in 1827 but work did not start till twenty two years later. In 1995 it was finally converted to electric operation and the keeper withdrawn from the station. Pip shows the harbour. More info: www.irishlights.ie/tourism/our-lighthouses/rathlin-east.aspx Enjoy full screen.

As water slowly fills up this reservoir again after our drought conditions, we see here the late light catching the dam and banks. I am here with our Ipernity friend ‘Toz’ who is accompanying me on my home favourite walk with his camera too. He has already posted a couple of photos from this walk: www.ipernity.com/doc/2405228/51616400 and almost at the same place as this: www.ipernity.com/doc/2405228/51617628 Enjoy full screen.