Herb Riddle's photos

The high north-facing cliffs of Handa were full of sea birds like this. These could be either guillemots or razorbills which both have white chest and black backs. The white and grey birds here are most likely kittiwakes. Skuas and fulmars are also present around here, as well as the most adorable puffins. In fact during the summer months these cliffs are the home of 100,000 breeding seabirds. Many years ago, the local population from the mainland would climb these cliffs for the eggs, as food for their families. Enjoy full screen.

After a short section of muddy paths though trees I come to a short stretch of cobbled road. Always partially flooded as the nearby river runs over but more normally because of run-off from the hill and blocked drains. In dryer times we could walk through the special gateway but not today in this wetness. Enjoy the reflections and light as I saw them. Best full screen. Have a great day.

We have walked across the Island and arrived at the high cliffs full of nesting guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills. Here we see what I think is called ‘The Sea Stack’. There is another stack east of this and called ‘The Great Stack’ see PiP. Enjoy full screen.

We are on the far north of the Island and I think this is what is known as The Great Stack, quite famous for being a climbing goal. This is about one third of a mile east from the other more scenic stack called Sea Stack. (It is possible however that this photo is of another stack to the left (west) of Sea Stack. It all gets confusing, I know.

We are trekking across the Island towards the sea cliffs to see the birds but before that we are blessed with views like this towards the mainland looking south. I think the predominant mountain in the distance is Canisp but perhaps somebody can put me right Big sky country. We have been told to watch out for rats as they have invaded this Island and eat the bird eggs. Will it rain? - Just a few drops whilst eating our picnic (of course). Enjoy full screen.

A big day-out for us travelling here and about five hours on the Island. Just a short trip on this boat from Tarbet on the mainland which you see in the background. The Island is really quite small at 760 acres (309 hectares) and is 404ft at its highest point and needless to say -wild. Not really inhabited, as it is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and Special Protection Area. Noted for its birdlife, having high cliffs suitable for nesting and breeding. ~ Our adventure is just beginning. Enjoy full screen.

A magical view from this seat over Loch Geann Dunh towards Stac Glecoul bathed in sunlight. Essential full screen Have a great day.

As I look out again on this cold January morning, I see grey heavy skies and very wet roads and grass. So here is an attempt to bring back summer. One taken some years back in South Wales. Enjoy.

Seen in a Kendal market.

We are on the way to Handa Island in North West Scotland. The scenery en-route is pretty stunning as we pause here to gaze at this wonderful curved concrete box-girder bridge that we have just crossed. “It was opened in 1984 by our Queen Elizabeth. In 2019, the bridge was classified by Historic Environment Scotland as a Category A structure, recognising it as "visually striking and technically innovative". The bridge crosses water which is approximately 120 metres (390 ft) wide and up to 25 metres (82 ft) deep, leading to fast tidal currents. It replaced the ferry between Kylesku and Kylestrome, which was 400 metres to the east. The bridge is designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding country, and the approaches were chosen to minimise changes to the landscape.” Wiki Enjoy full screen.

A shot taken some time ago in our Alexandra Park, showing the frozen fountain. It was actually snapped on the very cold Boxing Day (Zweite Weihnachsfeiertag) of 2009. I don’t think I have seen this scene quite the same since (although it is snowing as I post this.) . A nice alternative in the PiP. Best full screen. Have a great day.

A look across the Assynt Loch Geann Dunh to this fabulous Stac. I am stood at a place which I think is surely one of the most scenic in Scotland. The Stac (Stack) is 497m high and the Glencoul thrust, brings the older Precambrian gneiss up over the Cambrian quartzite along Loch Glencoul. Enjoy full screen

Not quite as mysterious as my title suggest, this was taken on another of our local valley walks. I just enjoyed the lighting here. Enjoy full screen.

Having come to the end of our Anglesey Weeks holiday in August 21, we divert to the Welsh town of Caernarfon so see its great medieval castle. This is one build by King Edward I of England in 1330 as part of his iron ring around Wales, mainly to subdue the Welsh princes against the English. It took 47 years to build and is recognised as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. This fortress has a great deal of history but perhaps its most modern claim is as the place where Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in 1969. See PiP Enjoy full screen.

Having come to the end of our Anglesey Weeks holiday in August 21, we divert to the Welsh town of Caernarfon so see its great medieval castle. This is one build by King Edward I of England in 1330 as part of his iron ring around Wales, mainly to subdue the Welsh princes against the English. It took 47 years to build and is recognised as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. This fortress has a great deal of history but perhaps its most modern claim is as the place where Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in 1969.

Seen on our local short walks last September. Our council have created quite a few of these wild flower area’s to brighten the place up and give our wild life a better habitat. I have even seen people sitting on this bench! PiP Enjoy full screen.

A shot taken whilst in Kendal last September. Enjoy full screen

Friezland is a small area of the village of Greenfield near my home here in Oldham. Always a beautiful corner with a few beautiful ponds and vistas and the Huddersfield Narrow canal running through it. In the last few years the local farm has diversified into a touring holiday home park and bill-boards abound imploring locals to give up their green land for more ‘DesRes’ housing which grows as quick as the grass here. At least for now, I can still see sheep such as this in this wonderful December misty light. Enjoy full screen. Happy New Year’s day