Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: calderdale

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Hardcastle Crags, Calderdale

This series of photos were taken way back on the 8th November last year at Hardcastle Crags. I had expected more autumn colours but it seemed to arrive very late last year. As it was I still managed to take some very nice shots.

Unfortunately the riverside path to Gibson's Mill was partially closed so I could only get so far on and was then diverted on to the main forest road. A further climb through the woods was needed to get to the mill and, as time was getting on, I just returned to the car park using this road. The return was a tad boring and I was sad to miss out on photographing the still waters of the mill pond and reflection of the mill, but I suppose they have to do some housekeeping at some stage of the year.

I did intend popping back the following week when all paths were open but never got the opportunity.

Woodland Track

Moss on Tree

Riverside path

Autumn Leaves

tree Fungi

Autumn Leaves

Riverside path

Hillside Trees

Woodland path

Local Moorlands in the snow

One of the things this pandemic has opened my eyes to, is the variety of scenery situated more or less on my doorstep. St Ives Country Park, along with Myrtle Park and the River Aire in Bingley have more or less become my second home and Goit Stock waterfall and woods have also become firm favourites but one area that I have neglected until the last few weeks is the moorland above Thornton and Denholme.

I have visited Ogden Water which sits adjacent to the moors many times, but I have not ventured much further, so the obvious way forward would be to amalgamate both walks. My visit today was curtailed at the stile leading on to the moors and wind farm after I had a conversation with a walker who said the snow had been drifting up to his thighs in places, and the path was very sketchy. With not being familiar with the area, the obvious thing to do was to turn around and retrace my steps back to the car. It was a bitterly cold day anyway, so I was glad to get back to a bit of warmth.

There will be lots more opportunities over the coming months to revisit and explore further.

Broadstones Farm

Foursome

Moorland Trees

Dry-stone walls

The Survivor

Two Becomes One

Threatening Skies

Storm clouds

Moorland Track

Drifting Snow

Groovy Path

Hollin Hill Wind Farm

Foreside Top

Wind Turbine

Ovenden Moor

Boundary Line

No Entry

Fenced In

Snowdrift

No Parking In Front Of The gate

Moorland Bridleway

Ogden Water Country Park

I hadn't been to Ogden water for a couple of years so thought I would pay it a visit and try out my new 85 mm lens. I arrived quite early so managed to get a parking spot by the roadside.

I didn't really get any decent photo opportunities until I got into Odgen Clough with its many small cascades, mossy rocks and fallen trees. Unfortunately the deeper I got in to the Clough, the icier it got which eventually forced me to turn back as the last thing I wanted was to have a fall whilst holding the camara.

I was quite pleased with the way it performed, mainly because it let me take handheld close up slow shutter speed shots. I found that I could easily use a shutter speed of one eighth of a second which gave good enough water motion without it being overexposed.

The next time I use it, I will try it out taking close-up shots, I believe its minimum focusing distance is two feet six inches, which should be ideal for flower photography. For anything closer, I still have a 60 mm macro lens.

I was surprised how good the paths were as many of my local paths (plus the paths at St Ives) are very muddy due to the weather and increased footfall. I did leave the main path and walk up in to the woods, partly to get away from the crowds but mainly for variety because I find the path around the reservoir rather flat and boring whereas the woodland path has many ups and downs.

By the time I got back to the car, it was getting very busy, so I think I picked the right time of day to visit. All shots below are taken with that lens.