Waiting in a dark Icelandic wintered landscape with the 'Moon Rising' unexpectedly on the horizon behind me and with the frozen lagoon a few steps in front, i was cautious not to walk on its slippery unknown strength surface. Standing still i watched the clouds drift by, allowing the Moon's light to cast a welcome if strange orange warmth to be reflected on the dark shadowy mountains ahead. Puzzling for a moment thinking daybreak had come early, was it the Sun appearing in this strange land, yet it was close to midnight in a place where the sun was not expected to rise until the next day after 10.00 am?
The Sun far away was casting its light on the Moon here, reflecting the Sun's orange glow reaching out from far over this icy dark, white landscape in front that had laid hidden in darkness only moments before, but now with long shadows started to expose the beauty of the landscape in front. However, this sudden orange warmth made no impact on the air temperature as it remained frozen and crisp to breath, nor did the mountain foreground interest now lit give any scale to the skies depth, as i peered in the far distance i was made to feel even smaller to it's infinite expanse. Each star seemingly having its own colour and brightness i found awe inspiring, compared to the City hidden starry skies live and work under.
With temperatures chilling to -20 felt while waiting for a green Aurora, many cameras seized due to the icy cold, but glad to say mine was good to stay out late, to enjoy this harsh yet beautiful land. Also glad my hood was up to keep the icy breeze blowing running behind off my neck and kept my gloves on, except when i was adjusting the dials to the camera.
The thin green mist rising on the horizon infront was the beginning of a little Aurora, but like the mystic feel of this early shot while patiently waiting for nature to unfold some borealis magic?
The only sounds were the occasional icy creak from the frozen lagoon with giant Icebergs locked that had broken free from the glacier in the mountain. The temperature kept falling, despite this new orange glow trying to bring a respite to the cold, but the ice moaned expanding as the temperature fell, icebergs jostling with the frozen water for surface position for maybe a little warmth i thought under this orange cast. Perhaps for some melt relief or to shrug off the snowy frost as i was too with the noise from my jacket disturbing the silence as i wiped off the icy white touching my hood protecting me regularly. I dreamed to return next winter to capture more ice magic i can only hope....

Tags:   Iceland night Ice Aurora Borealis

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Corfe Castle:
the misty fog starts to sweep between the castle ruins, running through the gaps in the once impregnable fortress
as the dark valley below fills with white fog and as the sun rises over the hill turning this white mass to a pinkish and warm orange hue
the speed of the heavy fog increases and rushes along the valley floor, bending the tree branches making them thrash and whiplash
standing on higher ground without a whisper only touching my toes i watch this dense fog surge past, escaping it's watery vapour mass,
as the sun climbs a little higher the clouds drift with a golden splash in front of the castle and as the sun shines through the ruins creating parallel lines of beauty

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Chap from the London Mudlarks found this historic Roman coin while i was photographing low tide last night on the North side of the Thames in the dark. They donate the find to the British Museum and can keep items less than 300 years old


Copied from their website on Facebook:
The mudlark was born amongst the filth and chaos of Victorian London. These poor degraded creatures were scavengers, wading through the foul-smelling mud to collect anything they could sell, such as rags, coal and rope. Most mudlarks were children and old people - society's most vulnerable - these days, however, mudlarking is a term used by a band of amateur archeologists that scour the foreshore of the River Thames for signs of history. All of my finds are made by eye only, and without disturbing the foreshore in any way, in my opinion there is no need to dig or to use a metal detector, a keen eye and some patience will usually throw up some fascinating finds.

The London Mudlark page is the largest and friendliest online community of people who enjoy spending their time in the mud by the river or are just interested in what’s being found. I regularly post my finds - the good, the bad and the ugly! You can use this page to chat with other mudlarks, upload pictures of your finds, see what everyone else is finding and get help with identifying your treasures.

If you’re planning a trip to the foreshore there are some regulations and precautions you should take. Responsible mudlarking is essential if we are all going to enjoy what the Thames has to offer. Please visit the Port of London website for more details before you go (www.pla.co.uk/display_fixedpage.cfm/id/4018). If you can’t get to the foreshore, you can hone your armchair mudlarking skills by trying your hand at my many ‘Spot the Find…’ features.

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Young man wandered in to the Sea and collapsed tonight while taking this ghosting shot. Tide was coming in and would have taken him away with the rough sea and incoming tide. Tried to wake him but he remained unconscious so called the Paramedics and helped them carry him to the waiting Ambulance. He was lucky that i was there otherwise the Sea would have taken him!

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Shortest Night - taken on an all night photo shoot on the shortest night (well not on a school night which would be next Tuesday) with 'London Photographic Meet Up'. Late night photography round London started in Canary Wharf where we were treated to a little colour in the sky and moved onto Soho, Leister Square with an early breakfast to wait for sunrise at Waterloo Bridge al 4.45am - that sadly did not come except the lights from the City and the Embankment. This shot above was taken around 3.00am on the Embankment in the skateboarders paradise, where there was a strange sweet smell wafting over us - excellent fun but totally tired now, think i might pop back to bed to catch some zzz :)

Tags:   Sphere London Urban Embankment Fireworks

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