Irish Water Scenes - About the Photographs


In Ireland you are never far from water and it is found everywhere. Water runs off the Sligo hills and reaches the ocean through many rivers and streams. It provides marshland that is a natural habitat for wildlife and migrating bird colonies. The amazing effect of natural light on water is one of the most interesting subjects a photographer can study.


W1 Ballysadare Bay from Strandhill


This evening scene was taken in winter time and the bay water appears like a mirror reflecting the sky. The old boat shed and setting sun break the symmetry of the water and sky to add interest and atmosphere.


W2 Bunduff Lough - North Sligo


This is looking north from the road at Bunduff Lough and the sky provides a blanket of colour for the water and reed beds. There are a lot of deep reds and browns in the foreground and the water on this night was very still.


W3 Low Water - Cullenamore Strand


Sometimes you get a bonus for being on time. I would have settled for the reflection or the shafts of light coming through the clouds but on this day they both appeared together.


W4 Bunduff Lough - North Sligo


Shafts of late sunshine break through the evening sky. There is always a pair of swans on Bunduff Lake and every time I stop there they come over to see what's doing.


W5 Glencar Lough - County Leitrim


A south looking view at Glencar Lough. There is a lot of mist around and it can be seen hanging around the trees to the right.


W6 Sundown - Glencar Lough


This scene at Glencar Lough was shot in the evening and the valley was silent apart from the odd flicking sound from a fisherman casting flies. The view looks west towards Kings Mountain and the light is coming from a break in the sky out over ocean.


W7 Mid Summer - Bunduff Lough


One of the nicest views in Ireland surely. There are white houses dotting the landscape and these counterpoint the shade of the trees. The most striking element was the mountain reflection in the water. I included some red wild flowers in the foreground to add more colour to the scene.


W8 Lily Ponds at Lissadell


Lissadell has an organic farm and beautiful gardens. On this day I took photographs of long rows of lavender growing in the gardens but this lily pond was the shot of the day as it captured the quiet atmosphere quite nicely.


W9 Mountain Stream - Glencar Lough


There are many pictures of the main waterfall at Glencar Lough but I have never seen one of this little stream that appears out of the side of the mountain. The weather was overcast and this gave a shutter speed slow enough to freeze the water slightly.


W10 Winter Reflections - Ox Mountains


This puddle by the road side has the blue of the afternoon sky reflecting strongly in the still water while the trees give the image a contemplative mood.


W11 Golden Sands at Cullenamore Strand


Cullenamore Strand at low tide is a great place for seeing the colours of the sea shore. On this day the temperature was high and there were a lot of horse riders on the beach enjoying the weather.


W12 Ballysadare Bay From Kellystown


The Water is seen heading out towards the ocean against the backdrop of the Ox Mountains. In the distance is Knocknalongy, from which I have seen many fantastic views of the whole of North Sligo and into County Donegal.