Local Photography ...
A place for some more local snaps. As we walk, cycle and drive around our local area, there are always things worth recording.
Spring 2021 - Lammermuir Hills ...
Published: 15 April, 2021 © Studio Karel
15 April, 2021: We started a series of walks in the Lammermuir Hills to get in a bit of height and distance, but also to enjoy the outdoors. The early walks were still fresh with snow lingering in the northern gullies, but things are warming up and the last fragile icicles can only cling on for a few more days in the deep shadows of the moors. We have done 5 circulars over the last 3 weeks (around 70km and 2300m uphill) and it's nice to frequent the Hopes Estate when it is still quiet to get a glimpse of the day to day on a hill farm. The carpark has been closed over the winter and that adds 3km of asphalt to each walk, but we mustn't grumble. The facilities have improved, but it all comes at a cost. No more free parking at Hopes, monthly permits must now be obtained in Gifford. This is largely thanks to the flood of badly behaved visitors during lockdown last year. Normally there are no more than 5-10 cars parked at the carpark, but that swelled to some 150, damaging the grass verges and leaving a mess.
Winter 2021 ...
Published: 10 January, 2021 © Studio Karel
24 January, 2021: Snow has been lying here for a few days now and with the sun out it is tempting to venture into the countryside. After some frosty nights the paths have become pretty icy, but in the snow it's easy going, even on steep ground. We had a walk from Hailes castle over the summit of Traprain Law and back again. Not a long walk, but always a pleasure. Exmoor ponies (Equus ferus caballus), on the summit of Traprain Law, and an extraordinary encounter with a cocky pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) added some wildlife interest to the walk.
Winter 2021 ...
Published: 10 January, 2021 © Studio Karel
9 January, 2021: Although we're still not allowed to travel and make visits, we can go for some local excercise. With snow lying on the hills to the south of us it seemed a good idea to go for a wintery ramble. It was pretty nippy on the summits, but we enjoyed the deep snow and the fresh air. It was only 10km and some 300m uphill, but the deep snow does slow you down.
Please note that all images on this website are copyrighted by Studio Karel. Of course I cannot stop you from taking and using this material, but if you do, please be fair and give credit to the source. Photographs with people, numberplates and other recognisable markings or branding, generally known as editorials, cannot be used for commercial purposes. The images I post on-line are generally 1800x1200 pixels and they all carry a watermark, but if you would like high resolution copies of these photos (up to 6000x4000 pixels) without the watermark, please get in touch as I may offer material for sale. Some of this material may also be available on Shutterstock. For all black and white images I will also have a colour equivalent. I do not do photoshoots or other commersial work, but I'm always open for ideas.
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