…one night was stormy with heavy rain, thunder and the odd burst of lighting illuminating the inside of my tent. By pre-dawn the storm had passed and there were stars in the sky. Hoping for some mist that would separate the island from the background - image above - I headed out in the dark arriving just before sunrise.

For some the onset of Winter will be a perfect excuse to hunker down beside a nice warm fire but to the landscape photographer, well, let's just say we are made of different stuff. Those long, boring blue sky days are gone, replaced with far more dramatic weather that can bring our photography to life. There is nothing like crashing seas, dark threatening clouds, snow or the dramatic lighting that comes from Wintery weather.

Finding a suitable place to camp on the top of Glyder Fach was tricky as it's just one mass of shattered, weathered rocks each way too big to move.  But after some searching I found a spot just large enough for my little tent on the South-Western side beyond the the summit.  It was a reasonably sheltered spot and had a great view across the valley to the Snowdon massif.

Wind the clock back to December when this trip was conceived and it was to be a week in the Scottish Cairngorms surrounded by snow-covered mountains and fabulous light.  Well, that was the idea.  With hind-sight, perhaps the idea was a little optimistic but, at the time, sat in front of a warm fire with a glass of Jura anything seemed possible.  The closer the trip came, the less it looked like my fire-side dream would be realised.  The Cairngorms were devoid of snow.

The Second Severn Crossing also known as the 'new' bridge was completed in 1996 and carries the M4 motorway between England and Wales over the river Severn.  Being close to home its something I've photographed several times but never during the winter.  It's a small project right now, as during the winter the sun sets to the South and under the arches thus I'm confident there is a good photograph waiting to be made!

Another break in the winter weather and another grabbed opportunity.  That seems to be how it is at the moment.  As I write this it’s almost Christmas, I’m sat in my comfy armchair near a log fire, the room is toasty warm and I can hear the sound of heavy rain pounding the glass conservatory roof again.  O’ for some better weather.  Positive news tho, the days are now getting longer :-)

The first weekend in May is a three-day public holiday.  Mainland England and Wales were basking in strong sunshine under blue, cloudless skies – Not the sort of light that normally inspires me.  However, the coast in Pembrokeshire was forecast to have a few clouds.  That sounded more interesting and had the potential for some nice evening light. :-)

Puffins are such cute things!  I'm writing this from a hotel bar in Lerwick, Shetland whilst waiting on some light for costal landscapes.  Now, I associate Shetland with ponies and hand-knitted woollen jumpers.  Not with Puffins!  Anyhow, they are clearly a tourist attraction and the local shops are filled with them.