On New Year's Eve we decided that, whatever the weather, we were going to go out and explore. Despite them being relatively nearby (50 miles) I have never visited the Shropshire hills, which are officially classified as an Area of Outstanding Natrual Beauty (AONB), and so we set course amidst the rain and low cloud.

Despite the damp and cloud we enjoyed our visit and we'll go back in better weather next time .


2011 Shropshire - Long Mynd Heather by Birm, on Flickr


2011 Shropshire - Shropshire Hills by Birm, on Flickr

First with SEL 16mm and second with SEL 55-210, both on Nex 5.

There were occassional breaks in the cloud which vanished all too quickly.


2011 Shropshire - Long Mynd from Stiperstones by Birm, on Flickr


2011 Shropshire - Rain over Stiperstones by Birm, on Flickr

Both SEL 55-210mm on Nex 5. (I'm very pleased with this new lens. I haven't done any scientific tests but the Beercan is staying at home now.)

That was well worth it Birma, those are good too look at in spite of the conditions, very atmospheric and depictive. I see you snuck in a Charlie Webster esq. in #2 ha ha, actually I think it might have just got over the line as my fav. The second last one reminds me of the Atherton tableland quite a bit, very nice countryside like that, it’s a few hundred km north of here so it’s out of range for a day trip.
Greg

Thanks Greg . I'm ashamed to say I had to Google Charles Webster. At first Google came up with a quite a different Charlie Webster .

Sorry Birma, my bad, I should have got the link to the Mountain Shots thread that’s got all those great mountain views of his…that seems to have gone quiet of late
Greg

Ah yes of course - Mountains Charlie . I expect he is too busy enjoying winter sports to post pictures . I think the Shropshire hills are a bit tame compared to that Charlie's pictures.

Hi Birma,

Nice shots you got off, in the horrible weatherconditions we photographers face right now. I especially like the contrast of the vibrant greens in the third image in contrast to the threathening clouds! The sheeps add a nice detail for me personally, as does the brown dirt on the right hillside. I would suggest adding more of the clouds to add to the drama of the contrast, but that's personal.

Mark

Thanks Mark . Good point about the sky - I cropped it out a bit as I was so fed up with the grey and rain - I can see that adding a bit more in could add some balance.

I can understand you being fed up with the weather, not much different on this side of the North Sea I can tell you!

Nice shots Birm, but I like more 3 & 4

Thanks Doc . I think #3 is becoming my fav of the bunch as well. Probably the shot I put least thought in to as well .

yep, the dark clouds add drama to the image

Well done, Birma, not least for venturing out in this unremittingly awful weather. Shoudnt compain, I suppose, after our excellent and extended spring-summer-late summer but this time of year at 52 degrees on the Meridian is pretty glum and i envy those of you in sunnier climes with colours to photograph and daylight to do it in. And its even worse up where David is

Thanks Pako and Artington